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 Single-handing a whisker pole		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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windsong
Captain

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USA
318 Posts
Initially Posted - 07/29/2009 :  07:54:18  Show Profile
Do any of you use your whisker pole while single-handing? If so, would you mind running thru the steps you take? I've been experimenting with this, and I'm not at all satisfied with my results. I can't get the order right. It seems like a lot of work, especially when I'm jibing, and I have to take it down each time to make my turn, then put it back up again. I love sailing wing and wing, but doing it alone is not going well for me. Help!

Michael Hetzer
"Windsong"
2009 Catalina 250 WK HN984
Myrtle Beach, SC
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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts
Response Posted - 07/29/2009 :  12:05:54  Show Profile
This is from a friend of ours who races his C-22 solo, and wins races:
1. Install a tiller locking mechanism. You'll need it. Attach a 1/4" line to both ends of the pole pin release cords and tape it securely at the middle of the pole. Makes releasing the pole easier.
2. If racing, give yourself extra time. Set pole later than others and take it down earlier than others. After rounding the windward mark, get the boat going on the new course with the sails winged out. Lay pole on deck beside mast on windward side, weather permitting, or have it already attached to mast ring with pole under sheets and other end inside the bow pulpit, secure tiller, and go forward with the sheet in hand keeping some control on the sail, clip pole onto sheet, clip pole onto mast ring if necessary, and extend pole if pole is adjustable. Return to cockpit and adjust sheet and free tiller. If not too hard to manage, tape pole in extended position prior to sailing.
3. To take pole down, secure tiller, go forward and disconnect pole from sheet and put pole end into bow pulpit (or slide it back to the cockpit), come back to cockpit and adjust sheet, release tiller, store pole, etc.
4. To gybe, I think the easiest way is to move the main sail over first, blanketing the headsail, and secure the tiller. Then release the genoa sheet and go forward, release the pole from the sail and the mast, bring the headsail over and attach the pole to the new sheet and use the pole to help push it out on the new side. Clip the pole to the mast and return to the cockpit to adjust sails.

On the C-22, we have a loop of 1/4" line on the clew of the genoa and attach the pole to it. When we gybe, we remove the pole from the mast, send that end up in front of the mast and sweep the pole like using a broom to move the genoa over. The pole stays attached to the genoa. Then we reconnect the pole to the mast.
Edited by - dmpilc on 07/29/2009 12:36:51
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Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3320 Posts
Response Posted - 07/29/2009 :  14:03:16  Show Profile
It might be easier (and faster) not to use the pole and just sail the angles, jibing as necessary.
I once lost my pole overboard (got it back the next day) and having to run 2 more leeward legs sailed the angles and won easily. If the rest of the fleet run DDW you should beat them.
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jbkayaker
Captain

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USA
299 Posts
Response Posted - 07/30/2009 :  08:29:42  Show Profile
Rats, I guess I should have purchased a whisker pole with snap fasteners on both ends instead of just a pin on one end and a snap ring dealy on the other.
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windsong
Captain

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USA
318 Posts
Response Posted - 07/30/2009 :  13:11:42  Show Profile
Derek, what you say is true. Part of my problem is I love sailing wing and wing, so it's an end in itself, you could say. As for racing, I'll bet your headsail is bigger than my 110. In light winds, sailing downwind without the whisker pole - man, it can get pretty ugly. :)
Edited by - windsong on 07/30/2009 13:19:08
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Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3320 Posts
Response Posted - 07/30/2009 :  15:47:43  Show Profile
I like sailing wing-on-wing too - except when racing! With our shifty winds it's a challenge to keep the sails full for more than 50 yards!
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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts
Response Posted - 07/31/2009 :  09:36:25  Show Profile
Windsong, what size whisker pole are you using? Does it have the spring catch on both ends? Is it adjustable? If so and it is a Forespar ADJ6-12, ADJ 6-12HD, or equivalent, you might want to extend it out to almost maximum (say 10') and tape it to avoid it collapsing on you at a bad time. One less thing to deal with while single handing.
Edited by - dmpilc on 07/31/2009 09:38:56
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windsong
Captain

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USA
318 Posts
Response Posted - 07/31/2009 :  10:31:36  Show Profile
I bought my pole on Craigslist for $10 from a Cat22 owner. I think it's 6'-12' adjustable. One end has a spear. The other end has a black plastic (!) clip. The way I've been doing this is that I sail deep downwind, almost by the lee, to the point that the jib comes across naturally. Then I put on the autopilot, race forward, extend the pole to full length, spear the jib clew, clip the other end to the mast, then race back to switch out the jib sheets. Sometimes, the pole falls out of the clew before I can get the sheets switched and I get to start over. One of these days, the boats going to jibe with me in the bow. I'm just too close to the lee. I set the autopilot to Response 3, but with the quartering swell, it's too much of a risk. (Perhaps I should rig a preventor?)Also, I'm thinking that if I had longer jib sheets I could carry them forward with me and make the switch from the bow, which would prevent the pole from falling out of the clew while I race aft. The sheets as they are now are not long enough for that. (Figures, every line and sheet on the boat is twice as long as it needs to be, except for the jib sheet). Also, with my tether on, it's easy to get tangled when I go forward. Now you see why I started this thread!
Please keep the ideas coming. I really appreciate it. I'll keep working on it, too, and when I feel that I've come up with a procedure that's both fast and safe, I'll post it. It has turned into a fun project.
Edited by - windsong on 07/31/2009 10:39:49
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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts
Response Posted - 07/31/2009 :  11:24:26  Show Profile
First, you need to be going dead downwind when you are gybing, especially sailing solo. Sounds like you have the ADJ6-12 pole (pole diameter is about 1"). That will work in most light air situations, but it's not made for heavy air. I've seen them break on a C-22! In heavier air, if you see the pole bending, best to take it down, and sail off to reach downwind, safer too. With the spear-point pole, it is important to keep tension on the sheet after you insert the tip into the clew. So you need to have the sheet in hand when you go forward, take the pole off the mast, bring the clew to you, insert the spear tip on the correct side of the sail for the new tack, then keep tension on the sail and pole as you push it out, and then go back to the cockpit. If you are going to sail solo a lot, I suggest that you plan to get a pole with the clip on both ends.
Edited by - dmpilc on 07/31/2009 11:25:47
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windsong
Captain

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USA
318 Posts
Response Posted - 07/31/2009 :  11:43:26  Show Profile
Aha! Taking the windward jib sheet forward with me... that's really key. I'll do one turn on the cabintop winch and then take the bitter end foward (I hope it's long enough).
Do you know, can I buy a clip for the ADJ6-12 that will fit over the spear?
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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts
Response Posted - 07/31/2009 :  14:51:28  Show Profile
The key is not if the pole separates from the sail going forward but to keep it snug in the clew going back to the cockpit. Focus on the sheet you'll be using after the gybe. It's okay if the spike comes out of the clew just prior to the gybe.
I don't think it is possible to modify the pole end. You'll be better off getting a new pole and keeping that one as a back-up spare. That was a good buy at $10.
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.