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More whisker pole questions

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takokichi
Captain

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USA
321 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/12/2005 : 11:25:55

I know a lot of this has been covered - some of it in threads I started - but the archive search is not co-operating today.

Shopping for a new whisker pole for racing this season. We race in a non-spinnaker class, so this is our downwind engine. We've had a 150 gennoa built. My math says 150LP (or 150% of J) is 15' 9".

So - the options for poles seem to be 12' (twist lock, nice and cheap, probably undersized), 14' (twist lock, heavy duty), and 18' (line control, very nice, ouch expensive).

The qeustions are -
How much do you supposed the last little bit of projected area matters? I imagine the difference between 12' and 15' would be appreciable. I don't imagine the difference between 14 and 15 would be.

Anyone found any brands other than Forespar worth checking out?

Anyone found a secret source worth pursuing?

As far as building a pole goes, the only extendable paint roller pole I've found at Lowes or Home Depot is a heavy, octagonal section thing. Might go that direction but the all up cost is going to be around $90 at which point we're close to purpose built pole prices.

Anyway, any thoughts appreciated

Justin

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 04/12/2005 : 13:02:57

I would appreciate a point of information as well. My whisker is a button type, yet people never mention them. Do they still make the button type? I like mine and would recomend it if I thought it were still available.

Edited by - on

MattL
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 04/12/2005 : 14:42:58

Frank I like the idea of the button type pole, where did you get it and what brand is it. A friend had his friction fit stop working. He drilled some holes and uses a pin to keep the extension out.

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3324 Posts

Response Posted - 04/12/2005 : 16:06:56

I used to have a push-button whisker pole - until my all lady crew wrapped it around the forestay one breezy day...

Now I have a 7/17 Forespar twistlock which doesn't lock as well. When extended to its working length of 15' 9 1/2" it allows a slight curve in the 155% genoa which adds some power.
I was led to understand that Forespar no longer makes the pushbutton model.
Derek

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 04/12/2005 : 18:57:32

I think the 14 would work fine. My pole extends to 17' and I usually don't put it out that far, I prefer some draft in the sail

Edited by - on

Ed Montague
Captain

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USA
499 Posts

Response Posted - 04/13/2005 : 15:26:13

I have been using a 12 foot extendable paint roller aluminum pole. It isn't very heavy but it was only $20 and it works fine for my 150. Of course I am not a racer. I also saw an extendable aluminum pool sweep pole that is quite a bit heavier. This was at the my local Ace Hardware store also for $20. It looked like it would extend to 16 feet, the problem would be the end connectors. The 12 foot paint roller pole puts the 150 out far enough and still allows for some shape. I am not sure the cost of a longer pole is justifiable, as others have mentioned, they don't extend them out all the way anyway.

Edited by - on

takokichi
Captain

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USA
321 Posts

Response Posted - 04/13/2005 : 16:20:19

Thanks for the input, guys!

Edited by - on

gnorgan
Admiral

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USA
563 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2005 : 21:25:40

Just got a new Forespar 7/17 delivered to my porch last week and it was to have been installed last weekend but did the fishfinder instead and sailed.
Will be driving down to San Diego in the early morning to install the ring and go out and use the new pole.
Exciting stuff!!!

Edited by - on

gnorgan
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
563 Posts

Response Posted - 04/15/2005 : 21:27:46

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Ed Montague
 I have been using a 12 foot extendable paint roller aluminum pole. It isn't very heavy but it was only $20 and it works fine for my 150. Of course I am not a racer. I also saw an extendable aluminum pool sweep pole that is quite a bit heavier. This was at the my local Ace Hardware store also for $20. It looked like it would extend to 16 feet, the problem would be the end connectors. The 12 foot paint roller pole puts the 150 out far enough and still allows for some shape. I am not sure the cost of a longer pole is justifiable, as others have mentioned, they don't extend them out all the way anyway.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Looked at this option but decided to save my money until I could afford the real thing. Just seemed to be too flimsy for my liking...

Edited by - on

jlguthri
1st Mate

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USA
93 Posts

Response Posted - 04/16/2005 : 17:00:30

How much load do these thing typically have to take?

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 04/16/2005 : 17:17:54

Poor man's whisker pole... piece of 1-1/2" sch. 80 PVC pipe... buy or cut to your desired length. Drill a 1/4" hole thru each end and bolt a snap-shackle of your choice on. I used one on my V23 for years. Total investment, maybe $15.

Obviously not for use in heavy air... but I've never wanted to pole out in heavy air anyway.

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5913 Posts

Response Posted - 04/16/2005 : 18:41:36

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">How much load do these thing typically have to take?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">It depends on how you use it. The main purpose of a whisker pole is to hold a big genoa out in wind that is so light that the sail would otherwise collapse of its own weight. When used in that manner, a whisker pole doesn't have to be very strong. But, racers use the whisker pole in much stronger winds to hold the genoa out on a downwind leg, and expose the maximum amount of sail area to the wind. When used in that manner, a whisker pole has to take a much greater load. You can use a light weight whisker pole for racing, but you have to be very careful that you take it down when the wind pipes up.

Edited by - Steve Milby on 04/16/2005 18:42:48

atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Response Posted - 04/16/2005 : 19:39:39

I have a great cheap idea. I posted on the sailors board as to get all imputs.

Tom.

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ronrryan
Admiral

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USA
561 Posts

Response Posted - 04/16/2005 : 20:34:47

I knew a guy who epoxied a dowel rod into a pvc tube and m,ade a pretty sturdy pole. Stood up to pretty heavy air. I have used an old antenna base from the ancient type of antenna, worked ok. One needs to be a trifle inventive, prices being what they are. Ron Orion srsk SW FL

Edited by - on

Bruce Baker
Captain

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USA
402 Posts

Response Posted - 04/28/2005 : 16:06:15

I got lucky and found a button-type whisker pole in ebay. It took a while to get a hit, but when it came time to do the deal, the guy was close by and delivered the pole right to my marina. I'll sell you my old 12 foot one--which worked great on my roller furler but not on the new 150, nor on the newer 170.

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