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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Whisker pole questions

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danc
Deckhand

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USA
22 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/26/2007 : 00:00:42

C-25 came with a heavy duty aluminum whisker pole that has a "c" shaped jib end with a roller inside. So it will lay on top of the jib sheet and move along it.

1. Is there some way of keeping it from sliding away from the clew or attaching it so it doesn't slide? Could tie a knot in the sheet an inch from the clew but have never seen that done so maybe there's a reason.

2. It went overboard Saturday and got about half full of salt water before I retrieved it. (Now has a safety line) Should I try to take it apart and rinse it out to avoid corrosion?

Dan Clawson
"Keta" C-25 SR SK
Hull #1901
Seattle

Edited by - on

Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 06/26/2007 : 03:08:19

My jib sheets attach to jib with a simple bowline. (I don't like hardware flapping around on the fore-deck.) I use the whisker pole upside down, and hook it to the loop of the bowline. Nice and secure.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 06/26/2007 : 09:11:31

I assume it is an adjustable pole. Yes, you should take it apart and clean it. Forespar recommends that in salt water environments the adjustable poles be kept inside the boat when not sailing.

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Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 06/26/2007 : 09:49:09

Dan,
I have the exact same pole and have no idea how that end is suppose to be utilized. Any time the sail relaxes the pole is subject to release since there is no locking mechanism like every other pole end Forespar sells. I notice this one is not even listed in their catalog anymore. My latest solution has been to attach a spring loaded clip through the eye, inboard of the pulley, and the clew of the sail but I have not had a chance to try it out yet. For the benefit of those who would like to comment I have attached a drawing of the end which I think is pretty close.

Edited by - Sloop Smitten on 06/26/2007 09:51:36

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 06/26/2007 : 10:14:23

I have always thought of those ends as "dingy" ends, the idea is you can catch the sheet with the end at a point almost perpendicular to the mast and then push the pole on out the sheet, once out then connect the other end to the mast ring; this is all done while centered in the cockpit of a dingy. I believe keelboats should have a locking jaw end and I do have a knot about six inches back from the clew because even a locking jaw will slide back. I think my adjustable Forespar button locker is about 2" diameter, most roller ends seem to be on smaller poles.

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 06/26/2007 : 10:44:16

Any suggestion on how to straighten a bent one?

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Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 06/26/2007 : 11:47:01

Frank,
The pole I have, and I suspect Dan has, is at least 2" in diameter and probably 2-1/2". Definitely oversized for a dinghy. With our fore stays you cannot go perpendicular to the mast but I have tried it like you suggest and it inevitably falls off the sheets or out of the clew. I was curious if the pulley was there to run along the sheet or be utilized in some other manner. I have done multiple searches on the web to no avail. Might have to contact Forespar directly.

Edited by - on

Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 06/26/2007 : 15:30:32

I emailed Forespar.
<i>"The endfitting is from a whisker pole made before 1975. The jib sheet runs on the sheave. A new latch endfitting to fit your pole will cost aprox. $86.00. It's just an order design."</i>
Not much information regarding the proper rigging of it. My guess is a topping lift would be required to alleviate Dan's problem. Since I have a CDI furler I have a spare halyard so the next time I try to set it I am going to attach the pole end to the lee sheet and run the windward sheet around the fore cleat. Between the two sheets and the halyard I should be able to secure it firmly eliminating any luffing that may occur. Any other idea's?

Edited by - on

danc
Deckhand

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USA
22 Posts

Response Posted - 06/27/2007 : 00:33:50

Joe, I'll have to try the dual sheet method. I have an extra block and some line to rig a topping lift next time the mast is down. Then no need for an $86 fix.

A couple of things I've heard are that the topping lift does work well and also never stick the end of the pole through the foresail clew cringle or it can get ripped out in a gust.

I have found that having the whisker pole out and the boom on the same side rather than wing-on-wing gets significantly better speed on the same bearing. Haven't noticed anyone else using this technique - maybe my boat is just quirky.

Edited by - on

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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.