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I want a whisker pole!

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 06/28/2012 : 05:09:20

Alex, the whisker poles that are priced in the $300 range are the twist-lock type, and owner reviews are very unfavorable. See Westmarine's owner reviews here: http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=14422& catalogId=10001& langId=-1& storeId=11151& storeNum=50045& subdeptNum=50078& classNum=50079#showReviews

The much better line-control poles are priced in the $700 range. The ideal would be if you can find a used line-control pole, but I have looked around, and used whisker poles are hard to find.

That's why I opted for the ADJ 6-12. There doesn't appear to be a good, moderately-priced alternative to the line-control pole.

The main problem with the twist-lock pole seems to be that it won't stay extended. I have never looked at the twist-lock pole, but am wondering if you could extend it and drill a hole clear through it and put some kind of a pin in it to prevent it from collapsing. I must be overlooking something in that idea, because the solution can't be that simple. I'd hate to see people spend $300+ for a pole, only to learn that it doesn't work as they hoped.

The ADJ 6-12 is a twist-lock type pole, but mine worked satisfactorily for several years. Then it began to collapse when it was deployed or it would refuse to collapse after I took it down. About that time was when I broke it, and, when I replaced it, I found a paint pole that appeared to be stronger and that had a much better design to prevent it from collapsing. The paint pole was actually a much better whisker pole than the one designed by Forespar, and it only cost $30. I suspect Forespar's main concern was to maximize profit, rather than to design and manufacture a reasonably-priced, good functioning product.

Edited by - Steve Milby on 06/28/2012 05:12:24

NautiC25
Admiral

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USA
957 Posts

Response Posted - 06/28/2012 : 06:16:49

I have a Forespar 7-17 and it works great. WM's site is always full of bad reviews. Only the PO'd people write them.

Edited by - on

awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 06/28/2012 : 06:47:44

Steve: We have pretty shifty winds on Lake Union as well (once I get out into the sound they are a lot more consistent). That makes running the whisker pole between the shrouds a risky proposition, but since I've never tried it maybe it is fine.

The 6-12 is a lot less expensive. I also have a small metal shop in my basement and wonder if I'd be able to beef it up with thicker tubing or even make a longer section for it if I did find it to be too limiting. The major stiffness in a tube comes from outside diameter, so there is a limit to what could be done here.

Does Forespar have a lock on this market? I don't see much other competition.

Edited by - on

skybird
Navigator

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USA
135 Posts

Response Posted - 06/29/2012 : 14:09:59

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Steve Milby
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by redeye
 << too lightly built >>

But you'd think we were only using this in light winds.
I'd expect to see more improvised, light, simple solutions.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"><blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Prospector
 I've seen some folks use the FG painter's poles. I was looking at them at the lumberyard the other day and they look too lightly built for my taste, but at $30, it may be worth a try.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I used a Forespar ADJ 6-12 adjustable whisker pole (currently $132.99 at Defender) on my C25 for about 7-8 years, until I broke it by using it in winds that were too strong. Then I removed the end fittings and mounted them on a 6-12 adjustable paint roller pole, and used it for another 10-12 years, until the pole end clips failed to hold, and the pole came loose and dropped off in 30 feet of water.

Poles like that are not ideal. They are too light for use in all winds, but I found that I only needed one in very light winds, when the wind was too light to keep the sail filled, and there was little risk of breaking it. When used on a C25, the ADJ 6-12 must be set between the forward lower stay and the upper, because it is too short to work well when set in the way that you would set the longer ADJ 7-17. At first it's intimidating to set the pole between the stays, because you have visions of the pole being bent and broken against the stay, but by adjusting the jib sheet, you can control the pole, and prevent that from happening, especially if you only use the pole in light air. Also, when you telescope the pole to it's maximum length, it becomes it's weakest, like a slender reed. Therefore, you should make a practice of only extending it as far as needed to keep the sail filled.

You could buy the pole ends separately, and mount them on a paint roller pole, but the last I checked, they were expensive when bought separately, so I suggest you buy the ADJ 6-12, and, if the pole breaks, install the end fittings on the sturdiest paint roller pole you can find.

When I bought my ADJ 6-12, it came with a plastic or delrin pad eye for the mast, but I suggest you throw it away and mount a ss pad eye on the mast. The plastic one is way too weak. I never felt a need for an adjustable pad eye on the mast for use with a whisker pole. If, however, you plan to fly a spinnaker at some time in the future, I recommend you install an adjustable pad eye.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

What about an adjustable length swimming pool brush/vacuum pole? Should be able to get a pretty sturdy 15' out of double wall aluminum that way. If I ever get to launch my boat that is what I will probably try.

Edited by - on

Ape-X
Admiral

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USA
662 Posts

Response Posted - 06/29/2012 : 14:24:56

not to hijack but....if someone has a whisker pole that is broken, I am looking for one end fitting only....

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Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3321 Posts

Response Posted - 06/29/2012 : 15:58:56

What size pole?

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Jan Briede
Navigator

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USA
162 Posts

Response Posted - 06/29/2012 : 18:02:35

Check the latest Good Old Boat (available at most book stores), the current issue has a great article on a do it yourself whisker pole.

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irishsailor321
1st Mate

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USA
28 Posts

Response Posted - 07/02/2012 : 13:28:38

I have a whisker pole I would be willing to sell.......am thinking $50 is about right, plus shipping, I guess I could put it in a cardboard tube to ship. I would swap for a pop-top cover but they are pretty scarce.

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awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 07/02/2012 : 14:21:22

I'm interested in your whisker pole. What length is it? Shipping would be to 98115. I will also send you an email.

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rrick
Captain

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USA
261 Posts

Response Posted - 07/02/2012 : 20:01:23

Whisker pole repair was not too difficult. Twist lock mechanisms are plastic and sized to the aluminum tube, then held in place by punch marks. Eventually, the punch marks slip and no-more twist lock. New punches fixed it, surprisingly not shattering the yellowed plastic. Pulling the tubes apart is not an option, so remove end fittings and shore them up too. Ends were wobbly, so a 10" 60tooth blade chop saw produced the surface for fresh SS rivets. Forespar has a rebuild kit too.

Edited by - on

irishsailor321
1st Mate

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USA
28 Posts

Response Posted - 07/05/2012 : 17:42:05

The Forespar pole I have is 12' extended and 6-6 collapsed. Let me know if you are interested and I will get some shipping prices

Larry

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NCBrew
Captain

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USA
338 Posts

Response Posted - 07/06/2012 : 05:35:19

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dragonf1y
 I have one, but I'm nowhere near you.

Good Old Boat magazine had an article on page 41 of their May/June 2012 #84 issue on how to make your own whisker pole for an estimated cost of about $50.
http://www.goodoldboat.com/reader_services/back_issues.php#2012

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Do I have to buy the issue to read the article. If not tell me how to read the article.

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NCBrew
Captain

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USA
338 Posts

Response Posted - 07/06/2012 : 05:36:12

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by irishsailor321
 The Forespar pole I have is 12' extended and 6-6 collapsed. Let me know if you are interested and I will get some shipping prices

Larry
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Do you still have the whisker pole?
I live in NC.
How much do you want for the pole?

Edited by - NCBrew on 07/06/2012 05:37:25

awetmore
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1144 Posts

Response Posted - 07/06/2012 : 06:28:09

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by irishsailor321
 The Forespar pole I have is 12' extended and 6-6 collapsed. Let me know if you are interested and I will get some shipping prices
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

It sounds like this is the Forespar ADJ 6-12 that retails for about $100? $50 is a nice price, but I'll save it for someone who is local to you. With shipping it'll get very close to what I can buy a new one for here.

thanks,
alex

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