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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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What size Whisker Pole?

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Ben
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1234 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/06/2005 : 11:47:32

Hi folks,

In preparation of what will be my first race tomorrow, I'd like to make a whisker pole out of a painter's extendable brush handle. What size would you recommend? There are poles that extend close to 20 feet if necessary.

Thanks ya'll.

Ben
Beneteau 361
Viking Kitty
Columbus, Ohio

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 09/06/2005 : 11:51:04

I believe whisker poles are generally the same size as the foot of your headsail.

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Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3323 Posts

Response Posted - 09/06/2005 : 12:19:59

Ben - if you intend to use that pole on a 150 genoa and get into any decent wind, the chances of it snapping in two are quite good! The compression force is considerable - and remember that when wind speed doubles the force on the sails quadruples...I have seen a 3" diameter pole on a Hunter 31 snap like a piece of dry spaghetti in a 25 knot gust.
Derek

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Ben
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1234 Posts

Response Posted - 09/06/2005 : 12:45:33

Thanks guys. Derek, I don't suspect I'll use the homemade whisker pole in any "decent" wind. Only little bits of wind where the 150 will have a hard time staying filled. When there is good wind, I generally do okay going wing on wing without a pole.

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frog0911
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1349 Posts

Response Posted - 09/06/2005 : 15:12:58

Ben, I don't remember for sure, but I think the max extension allowable is 15'9" for a C25. I would say the 20 footer would be the way to go, but mark it at 16' so you don't over extend it. This will give you double walled strength in the max compression area and as long as you don't use it in high winds you should be fine. When I first started, I use a expandble boat hook tied to the mast on my 150 headsail for quite awhile. It worked fine in winds up to about 8 knots. I was in a Mug Race one May and forgot to lash it to the mast, just placed it against it, worked great till a wind shift hit us and it then became a spear for about 100 feet off the port side. The General proceeded to advise me that "if I wanted to play with the big boys I had to get the big boys toys." The next day I went to WM and got a 7-17 whisker pole and she about fainted when I told her the price ($159), of course that was many years ago.

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aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 09/06/2005 : 19:13:50

I believe that for racing purposes, the rule of thumb for pole length is the distance between the mast and the stem fitting. I don't remember the number though.

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ronrryan
Admiral

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USA
561 Posts

Response Posted - 09/06/2005 : 21:35:32

For light air use (heavy air fills the sail usually) your painting pole should be swell. I have used dowels, old ssb radio poles, and a variety of makeshift items, and have heard of others successfully using PVC poles. Nowadays there is an emphasis on high tech racing "necessities" that did not exist inolder days. Aargh! Ron (old fart) in Venice FL Orion #2343 1981 SRSK

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Ben
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1234 Posts

Response Posted - 09/07/2005 : 07:46:36

Thanks ya'll!

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5909 Posts

Response Posted - 09/07/2005 : 10:34:09

Ben, I used a paint roller pole adjustable between 6-12 ft. and set it between the forward lowers and the upper stays, and it worked fine for my 150. If you set it forward of the forward lowers, then the pole has to be longer, in order to hold the sail out properly. The longer the pole, the stronger it needs to be, and longer paint poles are made the same diameter as shorter ones. By setting it that way (which is not the normal way a pole should be set), you are able to use a shorter-than-normal pole, and the shorter pole is much less likely to break than the longer one. When you set it, make sure it doesn't touch either stay, because the cable will saw through the aluminum pole, weakening it. The paint roller pole is too weak to be used in moderate to strong winds, but in light air, it's an inexpensive way to stay competitive with the others. Good luck in your first race!

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Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3323 Posts

Response Posted - 09/07/2005 : 13:34:19

"I believe that for racing purposes, the rule of thumb for pole length is the distance between the mast and the stem fitting. I don't remember the number though."
Al - that measurement is for a spinnaker pole. The max for a whisker pole under Class Rules is (I believe) 16' 3 1/4". On "This Side Up" we extend ours to 15' 9 1/2" for a 155% genoa, which gives a little more draft (and power) in the sail than extending it to the max.
Derek

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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.