Whisker pole recommendations
- Thread starter Levin
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I have never used a foreguy or topping lift with a whisker pole. Just keep tension on BOTH genoa sheets. If you are using a heavy pole then it may be a different story.
Late in reading my email. A pole to be the most efficient should have both a topping lift and downhaul. If it is on a genoa clew, then you can control the leach. also I have used it on reaching conditions with then pole and boom on the same side. You would need to have an outside sheet as well as an inside sheet. The inside sheet pulls the pole back, the outside sheet and the windward sheet an then move the clew along the pole until the slot is perfect. you'll have extra pole sticking out but the slot will be more efficient. I have used this configuration on many of my boats and have won quite a few races with it.
Ummmm... I had my genny poled out in a race and was told that was ILLEGAL: you cannot have a pole on the same side as the main boom. In other words, you can only pole out your genny if you're wing-and-wing. (Note that a spinnaker pole is on the WINDWARD side of the boat).
I could be wrong - I'm CERTAINLY not a racing expert, but check the rules before you commit.
druid
"WindDrift" Ontario 32
I could be wrong - I'm CERTAINLY not a racing expert, but check the rules before you commit.
druid
"WindDrift" Ontario 32
Couple of points
If you are using a whisker pole for racing, most places (Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association) have rules that you must have a red visible ring on the pole to indicate that you are only extended out to the length of your J. Otherwise you incur a penalty. Same goes for a spinnaker pole - it must not exceed the length of your J.
For many boats it is recommended you use a topping lift and not a halyard as they are not designed to handle to side load on the sheave. I built my own spinnaker pole when I happened on a clearance one day on pole ends at West Marine and the price was great to pass up. I did get the forespar chocks that mount the pole on the stanchions and they are great as they keep the side deck clear, hold the pole secure, and have no holes in the deck.
Also, most of the boat in my marina with whisker poles have them mounted to the front of the mast. That is a pretty good set up.
If you are using a whisker pole for racing, most places (Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association) have rules that you must have a red visible ring on the pole to indicate that you are only extended out to the length of your J. Otherwise you incur a penalty. Same goes for a spinnaker pole - it must not exceed the length of your J.
For many boats it is recommended you use a topping lift and not a halyard as they are not designed to handle to side load on the sheave. I built my own spinnaker pole when I happened on a clearance one day on pole ends at West Marine and the price was great to pass up. I did get the forespar chocks that mount the pole on the stanchions and they are great as they keep the side deck clear, hold the pole secure, and have no holes in the deck.
Also, most of the boat in my marina with whisker poles have them mounted to the front of the mast. That is a pretty good set up.
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I used one on my 356 with good results. It was a pretty light pole and, as they all should, could be collapsed to swing through the fore triangle. Before I got the pole I used a boat pole or whatever. There isn't that much compression on it and I never bothered with a topping lift. What is does well is get the clew of the jib out where it should be.
Telescoping is good but, as was said you are limited by the J measurement. You do not need the heft of a spinnaker pole. There are spinnaker poles and there are whisker poles. They are different animals.
I know of no rule that prevents sailing with the whisker pole on the same side as the boom and I do this quite often while reaching. I've never been protested for that or heard of someone being protested. In PHRF you cannot have two headsails set at the same time except when changing sails and then only temporarily.
As for size on the 356, I think the tube size was around 2". Maybe 2 1/2". I don't remember.
So go ahead and get one, you're downwind sailing when sailing non-spin will be more fun.
Telescoping is good but, as was said you are limited by the J measurement. You do not need the heft of a spinnaker pole. There are spinnaker poles and there are whisker poles. They are different animals.
I know of no rule that prevents sailing with the whisker pole on the same side as the boom and I do this quite often while reaching. I've never been protested for that or heard of someone being protested. In PHRF you cannot have two headsails set at the same time except when changing sails and then only temporarily.
As for size on the 356, I think the tube size was around 2". Maybe 2 1/2". I don't remember.
So go ahead and get one, you're downwind sailing when sailing non-spin will be more fun.
The 1996-2000 rule book eliminated all reference to the spinnaker/Benny pole except to state that If the pole is used then it must be attached to the mast. Recommend that YOU read the rules. There was an article in Sail magazine on how to use the pole in the same side as the boom. It is legal and I have won quite a few races including Rolex regattas that have international judges. It is legal!
One of the tricks is also to throw the boom across from port to STB when another boat is gaining on you and the they have to jibe away.
The main reason for topping lift and foreguy is to stabilize the pole. That way a puff will not be wasted shaping the genoa but propelling the boat. When hit by a puff or sailing in seas, the genoa will first tend to rise, eventually spilling air of the top as the leach rotates forward up top. That is a loss of power.
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