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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Whisker Pole Help!

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Unsinkable2
Captain

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USA
273 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/04/2008 : 22:38:51

PO included a whisker pole with the boat. I had never used one before, but have rigged this one a few times and each time I do, I become more and more certain I do not know what I am doing :)

However, I am really impressed with how well the whisker pole works in light air. (When running downwind it adds 2-3 mph.)

My question begins around the end fitting. There is a locking pin on the pole end for the mast. The other end has a small block and a hooked metal end, see below:

I have attached it by slipping the hooked metal end through the clew grommet, however this seems wrong. In order to keep the sail from falling off the hooked end, I have to push it out quickly to keep the sail from falling off.

Also, this partially works on my jib, but the genoa has thicker diameter sheets and the hooked end does not even fit in the grommet, so I usually end up tying a small bight in the windward sheet for the hook to poke through.

The pole is a three part telescoping pole - each section locks with some kind of internal cam.

SO, I could really use some help understanding how to rig the end of this whisker pole!

Edited by - on

Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

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1511 Posts

Response Posted - 08/05/2008 : 06:32:38

You might want to see if you can get a new fitting for that end from Forespar. The pole you have is actually called a reaching strut. It is used in conjunction with a spinnaker pole on a larger boat.

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Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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Response Posted - 08/05/2008 : 09:48:58

I have the same pole and end. When I called Forespar the tech had no idea what that end was for or how to use it, so thanks Davy for the info. Rather then purchase a new end, which is pretty expensive itself, I attached a snap shackle to it and clip that to the clew when using the pole. Not ideal but it is more secure then just lancing the clew with that spike.

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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4593 Posts

Response Posted - 08/05/2008 : 10:20:28

I believe that the hooked end is supposed to rest on top of the jib sheet so the sheet can make contact with the sheave. Then it rolls forward as you push the pole out and then attach it to the mast. To gybe, unhook the pole from the mast, lift the pole off of the sheet, then reset the pole after the sail has come across. This type of fitting probably requires some tension on the jib sheet.

Edited by - dmpilc on 08/05/2008 10:26:29

Unsinkable2
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Response Posted - 08/05/2008 : 11:13:05

Wow, all great advice.

I think the shackle would work in really light air (when it is hard to keep tension on the sail and sheet while rigging) but most of the time use the hook resting on the jib sheet as DavidP described.

The one thing that concerned me about attaching the pole solidly to the clew was the possibility of a sudden wind burst and not being able to disengage the pole quickly enough (this based on my experience with a microburst-type wind last week that sheared off all the sail slugs on my main.) But if the hook is just resting on the sheet, then slacking the jib sheet would disengage the pole.

DavyJ, is DavidP's description of how to use the fitting similar to how it is used as a reaching strut?

Wow, I would never have figured this out on my own. Joe, I always felt just like you described it - I was "lancing the clew with that spike" and all the time thinking this can't be right.

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Sloop Smitten
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1181 Posts

Response Posted - 08/05/2008 : 11:43:55

When I tried to secure the end to the jib sheet it would inevitably disconnect when the sail would luff. Hence the snap shackle. If you can maintain enough pressure with the sheet I guess it would work but you better have it stretched tight which is not normally what I strive for when sailing downwind. Give it a try and you will see what I mean. By the way, the correct end fitting to convert it to a whisker pole will run you between $70-$80 dependent on pole diameter. I believe mine is a 2-1/2" pole.

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Unsinkable2
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273 Posts

Response Posted - 08/05/2008 : 12:53:55

I see what you mean, Joe. I'll get a snap shackle rigged to go on that pole. I assume you just tie a loop of line around the sheave, and then connect the snap shackle to the loop?
Thanks!

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Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

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1511 Posts

Response Posted - 08/05/2008 : 14:37:17

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">DavyJ, is DavidP's description of how to use the fitting similar to how it is used as a reaching strut?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I think so. From what I can tell, the only function of the reaching strut, is to keep the sheet out and away from the shrouds when the spinnaker pole is flying far forward. That is why it is not captive.

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SailCO26
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457 Posts

Response Posted - 08/05/2008 : 14:58:30

Based on Joe's diagram, I could see the Reaching Strut being used when the guy gets loaded up in big winds to help redirect the angle of the guy to the end of the pole, sorta like a spreader does with the shrouds. That would alter the direction of effort for the guy, thus reduce the impact of guy stretch (we strive VERY hard to keep the pole at least 1' off the headstay in bigger air, since it's an old rig). There would certaintly be sufficient tension to keep the line in the sheave.

However, I'm not sure the extra weight/fittings would be worth it in a 25' race boat. Not sure if it's PHRF/class legal, either...

Jim

Edited by - on

Sloop Smitten
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1181 Posts

Response Posted - 08/05/2008 : 15:33:22

Jim,
I would agree that using a reaching strut on a C25 would probably be against PHRF rules but utilizing the pole as a whisker pole should not be a problem. What defines it as a whisker pole or a reaching strut is its use. A pole is a pole is a pole!

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SailCO26
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457 Posts

Response Posted - 08/06/2008 : 08:37:58

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Sloop Smitten I would agree that using a reaching strut on a C25 would probably be against PHRF rules but utilizing the pole as a whisker pole should not be a problem. What defines it as a whisker pole or a reaching strut is its use. A pole is a pole is a pole!<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I agree that using one "as" a whisker pole would be PHRF/class legal (as long as the max length is not exceeded), however had already written that off as unworkable due to the issues mentioned above.

My comment was directed toward using a reaching strut while racing.

Unsinkable2 - IMHO if you want a whisker pole, either get one designed for the job or change out the ends on what you have now so that both ends will correctly capture either the sail or mast. Sounds like trying to use this "open"-ended pole will result in more headache than it'd be worth.

J

Edited by - on

dmpilc
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4593 Posts

Response Posted - 08/06/2008 : 12:41:47

He said the pole was a 3-part telescoping pole. That would be very unusual for a reaching strut since they are generally used only to keep the guy off of the shrouds. And I agree that it would be overkill on a C-25. I think that a PO bought the whisker pole with that fitting on the end for a reason, although I'm not sure why.
I wouldn't do it. I'd get a new fitting.

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

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5404 Posts

Response Posted - 08/06/2008 : 21:47:59

I bought a pole like that, same end fitting, last year thinking it was a whisker pole. $90!!

Knowing that the outboard end of the pole is supposed to ride on the sheet (prevents a problem if the pole is hooked to the clew and the sail gybes... the pole is longer than the distance from the mast to the forestay, so the pole would be stuck pointing fwd with the sail ballooned on the other side. yuk!)

I see a simple mod to the end to allow it to captively hook the sheet aft of the clew.

The twist grip on mine is weak, so I'm planning on some holes in the outer tube and a spring pin on the inner, or something like that.

paul

Edited by - britinusa on 08/06/2008 21:48:49

mlg3733
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118 Posts

Response Posted - 08/10/2008 : 10:52:14

I have the same pole, it is from the earky 70's according to Forespar, and yes the sheet is to run under the hook and against the sheave, it works, not as fancy as newer ones, though.
Forespar web site has an online seminar on Whisker poles at: http://www.forespar.com/resources2/techTips/whiskerPoleSeminar.shtml

Edited by - mlg3733 on 08/10/2008 11:02:18

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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3321 Posts

Response Posted - 08/10/2008 : 13:15:28

Paul - you can buy new locking mechanisms for the twist-lock poles from Forespar. You just pull apart the pole to install them.

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tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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1883 Posts

Response Posted - 08/10/2008 : 13:48:13

Mike...Defender ran a clearance sale on those poles listing them as whisker poles...whisker poles they are NOT...and to try and use them as such is to invite a real headache. I had a makeshift whisker pole made from a boatpole that I found much more easily used than the one that I bought from Defender. In order to make the defender "whisker pole" a usable one it would require replacing the open end with a hook fitting that would be as costly as the original pole Defender sold. Not much of a bargain as such.

Val on Calista,#3936, Patchogue, N.Y.

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