Wisker Pole Question

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paphman

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Sep 21, 2005
297
Catalina 22 Henderson Bay, NY
We have a C-22 and have a 150 drifter. We have not used this with a pole yet, and my question is how do I do this? We have a pole that was given to us, and it looks like a real nice one. The length is correct for the size of the sail, but as I mentioned we have not used it yet. Will the sail hold the pole up in light winds, or do I need to put some type of lift line on it? Where and how is the best way to attach the pole to the sail. Looking forward to the answers

Dale
 
Ed Schenck

Ed Schenck

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Jun 2, 2004
5,802
Hunter 37-cutter, '79 41 23' 30"N 82 33' 20"W--------Huron, OH
On my C-22 the pole simply was attached at the clew and on a ring at the mast. I am uncertain about class rules but do not believe that any lines(guys) other than the normal jib sheets are permitted. If you have the correct length pole and the ring at the proper height I think you will find that control with the sheets is not a problem. My ring was fixed. Again I do not know if a mast track is allowed in class.

I have seen two types of poles. Mine had spring-loaded hooks on both ends. A friend had one with just a "spike" on the clew end. He inserted that into the sail clew. Most of us had a short loop of line tied into the clew for attaching the pole.

For gybing the jib we detach at the mast and push that end straight up in front of the mast. This is to keep from getting tangled in the shrouds. Gybe the sail and then reattach on the ring. The foredeck crew and captain need to practice this.
 
Ron20324

Ron20324

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Jan 22, 2008
8,050
Beneteau 323 Annapolis MD
Depending on your end-of-pole fittings, an easy way to attach to the clew would just leave a longer loop in your sheet's attachment to the sail and secure the pole to this loop. Yes, you can just let the pole hang on the sail, but the weight of the pole will alter the sail's wind-driven natural shape. I suggest a spin pole topping lift, much like the boom topping lift. There may already be an exit block somewhere up the front of the mast for one? Most often you would want the pole horizontal (level to the water). I added a mast ring by unfurling the jib at the dock, attaching the pole to the sail, make it level, then mark the mast for the ring location.
 
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paphman

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Sep 21, 2005
297
Catalina 22 Henderson Bay, NY
Ron,

I have a track and ring on the front of the mast now. The first owner instaled one, but I have not used it yet. How high up the mast would I install a turning block for the pole guy? We do not race so any rules about what we can have or not have isn't a problem. The ends of our pole has a clip that can be opened with a 1/4" line. We put the line on the pole last season, but we did not use the pole.

Dale
 
Ron20324

Ron20324

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Jan 22, 2008
8,050
Beneteau 323 Annapolis MD
I just walked down to the docks and there's a CATALINA 22 there. He has the mast track and ring. Just below the steaming light there is a padeye and small block for an externally-led topping lift. I'd think your boat is the same. Since you are saying "whisker" pole, I assume it's adjustable? Or not?
 
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paphman

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Sep 21, 2005
297
Catalina 22 Henderson Bay, NY
Ron,

Yes the pole is adjustable. How would you attach the line to the pole? Thanks

Dale
 
Ron20324

Ron20324

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Jan 22, 2008
8,050
Beneteau 323 Annapolis MD
The topping lift on a pole of the size I suspect you have can just attach at the outboard end. It would depend on which end fittings you have on your pole. Some poles have a wire loop you can shackle to or at least an opening you can tie to. A lesser possibility would just have a loop in the 'lift and put it in the same opening the sail sheet would go in.
On my boat I put a mast ring up the mast to store the upper end of the pole on while leaving the pole on the lower, adjustable, ring. There are rubber "mast mount pole chocks" (West, p 1244) of varying sizes, and I put one inbetween the rings to hold the pole secure and silence it from rattle. Keeps the pole stored out of the way. West, on page 1240, has a whole page of spinnaker and pole/guy setups.
 
Alan

Alan

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Jun 2, 2004
4,174
Hunter 35.5 LI, NY
Whisker Pole Question

I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned it yet but the outboard end of the pole should NEVER be attached to the clew. It should ride on the working sheet and be free to allow the sheet to fly through if need be.

Also, a pole toping lift is needed to control the shape of the genoa for best performance. As the sheet is eased and the apparent wind moves forward the pole needs to increase its length to maintain proper sail shape. The mast track is needed to keep the pole perpendicular to the mast at various points of sail
 
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