Whisker Pole

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higgs

higgs

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Aug 24, 2005
3,736
Nassau 34 Olcott, NY
I am trying to avoid paying $1k for a whisker pole and am looking into making one. It would not be adjustable and I would store it on the front of my mast. West Marine adviser recommends a pole should be 1.5 times the foot of the genny, which in my case would make the pole well over 20 feet, which seems a bit long to me. Those of you with whisker poles, how long do you think they need to be?
 
K

Ken

Boat hook

I use extendable boat hook. Stand on coach roof and pole out.
 
J

jimq26

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Jun 5, 2004
860
- - -
Ken - you obviously are not racing when doing that

That's illegal. I imagine it's damn tiring as well eh?
 
Tim R.

Tim R.

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May 27, 2004
3,626
Caliber 40 Long Range Cruiser Portland, Maine
Length

Check your local rules but most state the whisker pole cannot exceed J. Also, Jim's post is referencing the rules that it must be attached to the mast. As far as making your own, the tubing must be fairly thick as the forces exerted on a whisker pole are substantial, especially when you go over a wake. I have seen many poles break like this. I had one break and finding the aluminum tubing to match the end fittings was difficult at best. I would keep my eyes open for a used one. I picked up mine(for a previous boat) up on ebay for $350. It was a Forespar telescoping pole that went up to 12'.
 
Jim

Jim

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May 21, 2007
775
Catalina 36 MK II NJ
Higgs, you know how far you like your jib out.

they are adjustable so you can set them at difference points of sail. On a claim day roll ot your jib place it out about midway and take a measurement. I would bring the lasy sheet to the mast right where you plan to mount the padeye and mark it with a piece of tape. Now lall you have to do is measure the length of the sheet. Jim good link!
 
Jadedcrew

Jadedcrew

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Nov 12, 2006
256
Catalina 36 Bainbridge Island
That is why they are adjustable. If you are racing in a class where Whisker Poles are used, and one of the legs is DDW, you would want the maximum length pole. If you are just sailing on a DDW course then you just want the jib to stay out opposite of the main. Spinaker Poles can only be as long as the 'J' of your boat, but this only matters if you are racing, and flying a spinaker. I have never liked adjustable whisker poles because of 1, their cost, 2, their construction and 3, their length. I have always used a spinaker pole for a whisker pole. I had an adjustable whisker pole on my C25, but only used it extended to the 'J' of the boat. On my C36 I use a spinaker pole for a whisker pole. They are alot less expensive, and stronger.
 
Seattle Scott

Seattle Scott

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May 6, 2004
916
Hunter 37C Seattle
I got my aluminum tubing for my spin pole

that I built, from these guys. They were local but they ship. I did not get annodized (sp)so I painted it. I'm sure all metal prices have changed but I recall paying about $100 for a 3.5 inch by 17 foot tube, though the Forespar pole ends were another $160 (pair) or so.
 
caguy

caguy

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Sep 22, 2006
4,004
Catalina, Luger C-27, Adventure 30 Marina del Rey
Higgs, what is the guage or thickness of the pole yougot?

I just got offered some aluminum poles from a scrap guy, they are about 20' long and about 3.5" diam. The guage appeared really thin. They were extremely light. They were so light he offered to give them to me since they were not worth much to him. He is bringing them by at 3:30 today. Frank
 
higgs

higgs

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Aug 24, 2005
3,736
Nassau 34 Olcott, NY
What is the wall thickness?

Certainly, for a whisker pole on a 34, 2.5 is plenty. the important spec is the wall thickness and the inside diameter where I have to get end fittings.
 
higgs

higgs

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Aug 24, 2005
3,736
Nassau 34 Olcott, NY
Scott

Sounds like a good source, but shipping on long tubes is prohibitive. I have been looking for a supplier from western NY.
 
Seattle Scott

Seattle Scott

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May 6, 2004
916
Hunter 37C Seattle
Wall thickness etc

I just went to the Forespar specs for a 17ft spin pole and bought tubing elsewhere that matched their specs for diameter and wall thickness so that their pole ends would fit in my tube.
 
J

Joe

This is how we got ours (cheap)

We got our whisker pole cheaply (well, cheap for a boat, where nothing is cheap): We watched the For Sale pages of newspapers and internet. When we saw a likely suspect (a boat for sale of our approximate size) we called the seller. We asked if they had a whisker pole aboard. If so, was it already part of the sale package? If not, we offered to buy it. We got ours for less that $300, + shipping. Joe Phibbs on Alure Hunter 31 and 20'Searay named Third Wish
 
Tim R.

Tim R.

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May 27, 2004
3,626
Caliber 40 Long Range Cruiser Portland, Maine
Higgs

I don't know if this is in your neighborhood but it is cheap and may be worth the drive. http://www.ericsonyachts.org/infoexchange/showthread.php?t=6315
 
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