Whisker Pole

[chief14326]

My boat came with a Whisker Pole, but I have no idea on how to use it. I know it is used downwind when you want to run wing and wing. Can anybody give me a simple guide in how to set it up.

 

[Jared]

Here is a Link

Here is a link that has a few pictures and a description on using the pole...I have another question for the folks here as well. Is the whisker pole only useful for wing-on-wing sailing, or can it be helpful with both sails on the same tack - say closer to a broad reach?

 

[Pete Peterson]

Practical tips

Chief, Jared's link gives you a good overview of how to use the whisker pole. I have only used mine for wing and wing sailing. My practical advice is not to use it on a dead downwind run (wind at 180 degrees), but to run at about 160 degrees, plus or minus, with the whisker pole and foresail poled out to the windward side. This allows the wind to pass from behind your foresail to above your mainsail, and give the main some lift.As far as setting the pole, you should run the working sheet of your foresail back to the block and winch on the windward side of the boat, and run the lazy sheet to a bow cleat. I use the pole with a large drifter sail, and had to install a new block behind my winch to turn the working sheet. Make sure that you have the sheets routed properly around your bow rail and lifelines. After attaching inward end of the pole to the mast and the outward end to the the sail clew, extend the pole to the desired length while it is pointed more-or-less forward at the bow, and then ease it out to the windward side using a combination of adjustments to the working and lazy sheets. Don't let the pole touch the shrouds - keep a few inches spacing.It is really a two man job to set up with our drifter and 20 foot extended whisker pole, so we use it only when we are going to be on that tack for a good while.

 

[Anchor Down]

Jared,

Jared, as long as the headsail can fill on its own, the pole isn't necessary, When you fall off a broad reach so deeply that the headsail begins to collapse, you're very near DDW, and throwing the jib over to windward, poled out wing-on-wing, becomes the better sail configuration.Yes, the pole allows steering slightly above a DDW, w/ the headsail poled out to windward, as Pete suggests. This reduces the chances of an accidental gybe, one of the constant dangers of trying to steer DDW or sailing by the lee in order to keep an unpoled headsail filled. The two diagrams in Jared's link show the range of steering within which the pole is effective. It's nice to be able to sail (read maneuver) within a 20° range instead of a 3-4° range without the pole. Buying a whisker pole for my 22' boat was the best $85 I ever spent as far as increased sailing pleasure was concerned. On a small boat it's easy to rig, deploy and stowOh, and if you're just flying a 110° jib, a turning block mounted behing the winch that Pete describes is superflous, though with his drifter he's certainly right.Enjoy!