Can anyone direct me to sailing rules which would allow or not allow the use of a whisker pole when racing "white sails" ie non spinnaker. I've been racing for 4 years in "white sails", always like a few other boats, using a whisker pole downwind and never thought anything about it until last week when someone who had been overtaken complained that poleing out the jib downwind was not allowed. I've read "Racing Rules of Sailing" and found a rule which would apear to allow them but I'm told that those rules only apply to boats running flying sails. Any help appreciated. Vic Castleton 86 H31 "Spellbound"
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Vic, Only Rule I recall
is that the pole must be affixed to the mast (and not hand-held or affixed to the toe rail, etc.) You'd commonly pole out on wing and wing, but poleing out on a broad reach is not prohibited, either.
is that the pole must be affixed to the mast (and not hand-held or affixed to the toe rail, etc.) You'd commonly pole out on wing and wing, but poleing out on a broad reach is not prohibited, either.
When racing on the Bay under PHRF the Whisker pole length is not allowed to be greater than your 'J' Measurement, and must be marked in red at the point where it would be over extended. Otherwise it can be used from either side. Ther is a restiction on Spinnaker poles that they must be used opposite side from the Main Boom.
Hi Vic, I don't know about other areas but, In the Gulf Yachting Association area the rules on poles are as follows. The pole can be up to 160% of J. Otherwise you can't get a 155 genoa flat enough to fly. The pole must be attached to the mast but can be flown on either side of the boat. Been racing 20+ years. The rule about fling the pole on the same side as the main was changed to allow boom & main on same side about 6-8 years ago. If everyone can do it the conditions remain level for all non=spin boats. Hope this helps. Don
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