I am considering the purchase of a whisker pole for my 310 with a 135% headsail. I have read on the 320 list that some skippers recommend the 10-18' while others recommend the 12-22'. Also, what method of mast attachment and storage.
Whisker pole, mast attachment, and storage location
- Thread starter Art Freedman
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Art,
A whisker pole is a good idea.
In answer to your question, the best thing you can do is to provide your own measurements to find the "right" size for your pole.
One of the "neat ricks" I've learned is that instead of jibing your pole, put a line through the clew cringle of the jib and raise the pole as you jibe. That assumes you install a moving track mounted ring on your mast. If it's fixed, you may not be able to do this with a 135.
Storage? I recommend a horizontal mount on the stanchions. Why? 'Cuz the vertical mounts tend to make the lower fitting seize up from salt unless you use it all the time.
Good luck, you'll find it really helps downwind.
A whisker pole is a good idea.
In answer to your question, the best thing you can do is to provide your own measurements to find the "right" size for your pole.
One of the "neat ricks" I've learned is that instead of jibing your pole, put a line through the clew cringle of the jib and raise the pole as you jibe. That assumes you install a moving track mounted ring on your mast. If it's fixed, you may not be able to do this with a 135.
Storage? I recommend a horizontal mount on the stanchions. Why? 'Cuz the vertical mounts tend to make the lower fitting seize up from salt unless you use it all the time.
Good luck, you'll find it really helps downwind.
here is my whisker pole attachment.....I am actually thinking about taking it home and storing it there since I never use it :cry:
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Up the mast on a track. I use the upper section of a carbon windsurfing mast with a tang on the end, light, strong. I had previously used this arrangement for many years on my Hunter 37 racing in non-spin. Very effective and efficient. We could get the set around the mark faster than anyone else.
Are you stating you do not use your whisker pole? Why?
There are so many times I wish I had one to deploy. If you really do not really plan on using it, perhaps consider selling it?
Art Freedman
LP, just the opposite. If you have the track on the mast, raise the mast end, dip the clew end and bring the clew through the foretriangle to gybe. With the loop of line through the clew, the clew won't "get bent" with the pole through it, nor will the pole come off if only attached to the leeward sheet when it gybes.
I recommend the 10-18 adjustable pole. If you ever intend to do any causal PHRF racing, you need to have a pole which is no longer than than your "J" dimension (11' 9") unless you want to take an oversize pole penalty (the forespar LC 12-22 is actually 12' 4 1/2" collapsed). If you get in a situation where you want to pole the jib out on the leeward side in light air on a close reach it will be nice to have the pole which can go down to 10' to save from having to raise the inboard end up so high for proper trim. It will also be lighter to handle and will extend plenty far enough.
I got a used 12-22 for $100 and one of the projects on my to do list is to chop a few feet off each end to make it lighter, but it is really low in the priority list since it works OK. Even flying the spinnaker dead downwind I don't see a need for that much length.
I got a used 12-22 for $100 and one of the projects on my to do list is to chop a few feet off each end to make it lighter, but it is really low in the priority list since it works OK. Even flying the spinnaker dead downwind I don't see a need for that much length.
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honestly, because my previous boat did not have one and I never learned how to use it. One of these days I am going to practice using it.......
Stu Jackson said:
Stu
Just to clarify.....you have a small loop of line that you clip to instead of the sheet?
FYI we have the mast track and it works great...the admiral loves it since without it she watched me almost get taken off the foredeck a few times trying to gybe the mast end of the pole.
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