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Homemade whisker pole alternatives?

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TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/10/2011 : 09:56:58

I'm looking for whisker pole suggestions for the C250. I only have a 110, so it does not need to be long or adjustable, especially if I attach it to a stanchion or lifeline instead of the mast. Are there any good homemade alternatives (PVC pipe, maybe)? If so, what type of end fittings are available?

Any other suggestions? What else do you guys do to help downwind performance?

Rick S., Swarthmore, PA
PO of Take Five, 1998 Catalina 250WK #348 (relocated to Baltimore's Inner Harbor)
New owner of 2001 Catalina 34MkII #1535 Breakin' Away (at Rock Hall Landing Marina)

Edited by - TakeFive on 09/10/2011 09:58:49

SEAN
Admiral

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USA
772 Posts

Response Posted - 09/10/2011 : 10:54:41

I made one with forspares awning pole ..

they are adjustable and i added snap shackles to the end .

the slide holds up pretty good .

Edited by - on

SEAN
Admiral

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Response Posted - 09/10/2011 : 10:57:47

http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1%7C5948%7C105873& id=45022

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DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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2015 Posts

Response Posted - 09/12/2011 : 09:44:53

I made one from a $50 telescoping paint pole I got from Lowes. Works great in lighter to medium air.

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GaryB
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4303 Posts

Response Posted - 09/12/2011 : 09:58:12

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by DaveR
 I made one from a $50 telescoping paint pole I got from Lowes. Works great in lighter to medium air.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Got any pictures and a model # of the pole? I've been toying with using one of the fiberglass poles they sell at HD.

Edited by - GaryB on 09/12/2011 09:58:49

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 09/12/2011 : 12:05:59

Sure Gary, it's a Woodster Sherlock R057 8'-16'. Here's two links, one to Lowes where I bought mine, and then one to Amazon.com where it's $20 cheaper.
[url="http://www.lowes.com/pd_190227-159-R057_0__?productId=1054249&Ntt=wooster+sherlock+extension&pl=1¤tURL=%2Fpl__0__s%3FNtt%3Dwooster%2Bsherlock%2Bextension&facetInfo="]Lowes[/url]
[url="http://www.amazon.com/Wooster-Brush-R057-Sherlock-Extension/dp/B00181UGA4"]Amazon[/url]

Didn't check the shipping cost.

I took a short piece of 1/2 inch schedule 40 pvc, filed it to fit the extension housing, took the aft end of the (shackle?) to a grinder making it a stub and then mixing some good 2 part epoxy and filling the pvc around the shackle. I also drilled 2 small holes through the pole housing and used a couple stainless screws to secure it. I put another shackle on the other end but I think Tom Curran did his better using a small straight metal shaft on the other end for quick capture/release of the sail.

Edited by - DaveR on 09/12/2011 12:15:30

SEAN
Admiral

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772 Posts

Response Posted - 09/12/2011 : 14:15:15

The brass end is nice !

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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4593 Posts

Response Posted - 09/14/2011 : 10:05:58

For my Cat. 22, I have in the past made a whisker pole out of a wood closet dowel, adding a snap shackle at one end and a U-shaped tool holder on a screw post to the other end. Total cost was less than $15. Could have used snap shackles on both ends. The snap shackle was a simple brass one with a loop at the other end. Cut a groove in one end of the pole and slid the loop into the groove. Then put a bolt through the pole and loop to hold it in place. It didn't look pretty but was functional. And being wood, it floats!

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DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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Response Posted - 09/15/2011 : 07:09:27

Good alternative David! Like the tool holder idea. Nice and blunt and probably rubber coated? Bet it holds on to the sail well!

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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4593 Posts

Response Posted - 09/18/2011 : 18:40:34

There are a few drawbacks. Either end of the U-shaped fork will go through ther clew of the sail and hold fairly well, but it can also torque the bracket and break it. Took several years, but it did happen to me once. also, you can let the sheet run in the fork, but if you don't keep tension on the line, the pole can separate from the sheet. Just takes a little bit of extra attention on the sail trim.
Good luck!
Here are pics:

As I said, it's not pretty, but it works and floats. The pole is 11.5 ft. long, might work with a working jib, but I wouldn't try it with a genoa on a C-25 or 250, pole is not long enough. Also, I need to put a shorter bolt on the spring clip end.

Edited by - dmpilc on 09/18/2011 19:07:03

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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.