whisker pole

[peterbud]

looking for a whisker pole for a catalina 28. I am located in Nc and will travel reasonable distance.

 

[sail sfbay]

What head sail are you flying or how long is its foot?...........pole length should be 100% of the foot of whichever headsail is being flown or J dimension (if you have the original 100% sail your J = 10.8 ft). If it is not a 100% jib measure from the tack to the clew and the whisker pole should be this length. You need to have some overlap in the pole. Forespar recommends their HD 7-15, #407101 pole for your sailboat Size Recommendation Guide (forespar.com) and new cost from these sites FORESPAR Heavy-Duty Telescoping Twist-Lock Poles | West Marine, Forespar Pole ADJ 7-15 Alum Whisker Pole (velasailingsupply.com), etc.

You can find used whisker poles on these sites: Spinnaker and Whisker Poles - Used Boat Equipment AND Spinnaker Poles Used - Sail Exchange

 

[markwbird]

Just remember: whatever distance you are willing to travel you can get there faster with a whisker pole

 

[Daveinet]

I've used my dock hook pole. Turns out it works really well.

 

[jssailem]

Dave... necessity is the mother of invention.

 

[sidw]

What head sail are you flying or how long is its foot?...........pole length should be 100% of the foot of whichever headsail is being flown or J dimension (if you have the original 100% sail your J = 10.8 ft). If it is not a 100% jib measure from the tack to the clew and the whisker pole should be this length. You need to have some overlap in the pole. Forespar recommends their HD 7-15, #407101 pole for your sailboat Size Recommendation Guide (forespar.com) and new cost from these sites FORESPAR Heavy-Duty Telescoping Twist-Lock Poles | West Marine, Forespar Pole ADJ 7-15 Alum Whisker Pole (velasailingsupply.com), etc.

You can find used whisker poles on these sites: Spinnaker and Whisker Poles - Used Boat Equipment AND Spinnaker Poles Used - Sail Exchange

Actually, if you are racing, the max length you can use for a whisker pole is usually the J length. If you have a longer, adjustable pole, it needs to have a black mark at the max J-length, and, yes, it will probably be suboptimal for a larger sail. Many people use a spinnaker pole for the whisker pole.

 

[Ward H]

I have a 6'-12' Forespar whisker available. Aluminum ends. Came off a 25 O'day. May be a little short for your boat.
Too far a drive to pick up but can be shipped if interested.

 

[Simon Sexton]

I.M.O.: Make sure you don't buy a telescoping whisker pole. Weather and salt will work its way into the sleeve between the telescoping parts over time and become an oxidized nightmare to deal with. A few sailors I know do use them, but they make sure to take them apart and clean them several times yearly. This is a hassle. Single-piece aluminum forespars are also usually cheaper. Like Dave said, a boat hook pole works fine until the weather starts to kick up. Once gusts start getting to around 16-17 kts. you'll want something a bit beefier.