Whisker Pole

[Art Femenella]

I have a 1988 Cat 30 TRBS. I sail in and just outside New York Lower Harbor. I am interested in hearing if anyone out there uses a whisker pole. If so, what size? Forespar reccomends the LC 12-18 but it goes for at least $ 700 on the street. I have seen a twist lock model made in Canada that adjusts from 11' to 19'6" and has the same weight and tube dimensions as the LC 12-18, but sells for $335 US. I don't' race and I don't plan to go downwind in howling Nor'easters, but I do like to sail wing on wing in light through moderate winds. Any suggestions? The sail is a 155% roller furling.

 

[Augie Byllott]

In a controlled run in light conditions, the wind in the sail is exerting tension, an outward pull, on the pole. As long as you avoid accidental jibes, which would change the load on the pole to compression, which could cause bowing, perhaps leading to bending, a lighter, less expensive pole should be adequate.On my C30 I use a 1.5" diameter 16 foot two section friction adjustable pole that is not much more than a big boat hook to keep my 135 jenny out in the wind. I'm wary so I choose my times carefully. When the winds are in excess of 8 or 10 knots, I think I do better jibing back and forth, rather than running before the wind.

 

[Pete Peterson]

Other items

I purchased my Forespar LC 12-22 at the beginning of the season and it has worked very well on our C320, although it is still a two man job for us to set it properly. We have used it with both our 135% jib and our 180% flyer. Just be aware that depending on your setup, the cost of the other items could almost double the price of the whisker pole. These include 10' of track for mast storage, uphaul downhaul line, blocks and cams, storage chocks, and screws and taps for all of the above. On the other hand, you can go the more simple route with a fixed mast mount, and storage on or below deck. I can't give you any comments on the twist lock model, though.

 

[Joe Barrett]

LC

I have the Forespar LC 12-18 ft pole and it is great. You should be able to shop and find one for around $500. We race and the pole goes up anytime the wind is aft of the beam. This includes broad reach as well as wing and wing. We also use it in heavy air. It's real fun wing and wing or broad reach with the pole up. I would stay away from a twist pole as I think Forespar would tell you the same thing.

 

[Art Femenella]

Set Up

Thanks for the info LC. Do you use the pole from a fixed pad eye or on a track? Do you store on the mast, deck or on stantions? Do you need a topping lift?

 

[Ron]

I agree with lighter poles

I agree with Augie. I use 1 3/4 inch diameter 18 foot 3 section friction adjustable pole I found at Home Depot for $24.00, sold as an extension for window cleaning. I looped a piece of stainless wire through the handle end to hold a snap hook so I can clip it onto the exiting adjustable mast track. I just poke the other end through the loop of the bowline where I’ve tied the sheet to the sail. It works great, but as Augie said, I only use it in light conditions, 12 k or under.