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Whisker Pole Length

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hewebb
Admiral

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USA
761 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/06/2013 : 03:06:23

Got a question. I have an adjustable whisker pole. I have only used it a couple of times and am not sure what to adjust the length to. I have a standard rig with a 150 on a furler. I am thinking I should mark the pole to get the length correct. (Catalina 25)

1988 WK/SR w/inboard diesel Joe Pool Lake
Hobie 18 Lake Worth

Life is not a dress rehearsal. You will not get another chance.

Edited by - on

Ape-X
Admiral

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USA
662 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2013 : 04:22:23

right or wrong, I pole the genny out for shape, and depending on the tack, have it at different lengths....

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mrapkins
Navigator

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USA
124 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2013 : 04:31:23

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by hewebb
 Got a question. I have an adjustable whisker pole. I have only used it a couple of times and am not sure what to adjust the length to. I have a standard rig with a 150 on a furler. I am thinking I should mark the pole to get the length correct. (Catalina 25)
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I have a 150 on a furler and the pole is not long enough to use without partially furling the sail!!!

I have a 2-section twist-lock Forespar pole. I need the 3-section pole for my 150. The foot of a 150 is 16" 6".

Edited by - mrapkins on 05/06/2013 04:32:06

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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5902 Posts

Response Posted - 05/06/2013 : 05:32:06

I always pole the jib out as far as it will go, and usually trim it aft to just-forward-of the shrouds. When sailing wing-n-wing, spread as much sail area as you can before the wind.

I always trim the mainsail so that, after the wind hits it, the air molecules will slide off the luff of the mainsail, and spill onto the jib, adding to the overall pressure on the jib. If the jib is trimmed too far forward, in a brisk wind, the air molecules will build up, like pouring water into a bowl, and when it's full the water will pour over the side of the bowl. If the wind "fills up" the jib, and spills over the leech of the jib, it will create a pressure on the backside of the leech, and, but for the pole holding it out, the leech, and consequently the sail, would collapse and refill repeatedly. Even with the pole, the jib might be backwinded somewhat. If the pole is trimmed aft, the excess air will be less likely to accumulate until it spills over the leech of the jib.

When you trim the mainsail that way, you have to watch your course carefully, so that you don't sail by the lee and risk an accidental gybe.

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hewebb
Admiral

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USA
761 Posts

Response Posted - 05/07/2013 : 03:29:49

mrapkins

Thanks, I have been looking for the length of a 150. I, like you, have a two section small whiskerpole and think I need a larger longer one.

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 05/07/2013 : 05:13:36

Racers should check with the organization that sanctions their races for maximum permissible whisker pole length. Until 2 years ago, Chesapeake Bay PHRF, for example, limited it to the length of the boat's "J" measurement, which is 10.5 feet on a C25. That is no longer the case, but I believe other sanctioning bodies around the country vary. If you are not limited by racing rules, the pole that I recall has been generally recommended by the forum members is the Forespar ADJ 7-17, but my ISP is misbehaving this morning, and won't do a search to confirm it.

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Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1511 Posts

Response Posted - 05/07/2013 : 05:35:54

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">the pole that I recall has been generally recommended by the forum members is the Forespar ADJ 7-17<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
This is the whisker pole that I have. I don't recall having to extend it all the way out, but, I have a 135.

For some reason, Forspar is now calling this model the ADJ 7-15. I'm not sure if that means it will only extend to 15' or not.

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 05/07/2013 : 06:56:01

There's a very good video by John Kretschmer on the use of a whisker pole at:http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded& v=nGwNsS27R14 He uses a topping lift on the big-boat pole in the video. I don't think a topping lift is usually needed for a smaller pole, such as on a C25, but it is needed on a bigger, heavier pole.

Edited by - Steve Milby on 05/07/2013 06:59:11

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3321 Posts

Response Posted - 05/07/2013 : 13:10:17

On "This Side Up" the whisker pole length was 15' 9" for the 155% genoa.

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