[Public-List] Spinnaker Pole

[Don Campbell]

Greg:
    The Canadian Race Rules differ slightly from the American ones for 
pole lengths. Canadians have tried to accommodate sailing in PHRF 
classes as well as one design racing and so have allowed longer whisker 
poles when racing white sail races. I know Jay Bergquist encouraged 
white sail racing in the Chesapeake, and so there may be some recent 
accommodations there that are not yet in the American Rules. Certainly, 
a whisker pole of 10.75' is not as much fun as a long pole with a 165 or 
170 foresail.
    I use an extendible pole (Aamoco, or Ammoco or Amoco, I just can't 
remember the correct spelling) and had to cut about 1 foot out of the 
one end to get it short enough to fit a J of 10.5 -10.75 feet. It is a 
3"/ 2 1/2" set up and I can then use one pole for both the spin pole 
and  whisker pole. I use a dip pole set up and have a bridle for the 
uphaul so the pole is always in tension. The bridle is such that the 
pole will not extend beyond a legal  PHRF whisker pole length for my big 
sail. That has the pole length out to just over 14'.
    If you are not racing and want the longer pole, then you can have 
the short length at the J and that fits the American racing rules for 
whisker pole too, and you have the option of the long whisker pole for 
everyday sailing.
    I would not recommend any lighter pole than the 3" because the 
tension on a 14' pole is significant with a big sail on a reach.
    This past weekend we were sailing in 12 - 18 knots of wind, and I 
used the pole at the J for a 135 and that was a good strong combination 
for that wind and we had no qualms about a weak pole.
Don #528

Gordon Laco wrote:
> Hi again Greg - 
>
> I forgot to respond to your second question...
>
> We do use the spin pole as a whisker pole to boom out the genoa... It is a
> little short for a 140% headsail but I don't want to carry two poles so we
> use it.
>
> Gord #426 Surprise
>
>
> On 14/06/10 7:52 AM, "Greg Bover" <gregbover at cbfisk.com> wrote:
>
>   
>> Ladies and Gentlemen,
>>
>> What are you using for spinnaker poles? The A-30 webpage lists information
>> about length, but what about diameter? Our boat came from the PO with a 3"
>> pole that has a broken end. To my eye it looks larger than necessary to do
>> the job safely, so I am thinking of replacing the whole thing with 2" or 2
>> 1/2" so it will be easier to handle. Your experience?
>>
>> Also, do folks use their spinnaker poles as whisker poles when running wing
>> and wing? Or do you carry a separate one?
>>
>> Thanks for the help.
>>
>> Greg Bover
>> Frances Fitch
>> Linnet #114
>> Gloucester
>>
>>
>>
>> Gregory R. Bover
>> VP Operations, Project Manager
>> C. B. Fisk, Inc
>> 978 283 1909
>> www.cbfisk.com
>>
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>
>
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