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 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
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 When you stop laughing, I'd really like to know		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts
Initially Posted - 05/10/2005 :  07:38:59  Show Profile
OK, time to show what a real newbie sailor I am. How do I tell the difference between a whisker pole and a spinaker pole? Or are they the same pole, just called by a different name depending on how they are used. I believe I have a spinaker pole on my Capri, but for all I know, it's a whisker pole. It's got clips at both ends and wires running along it and in it. It's made by forespar, but no numbers on it so I can't even look it up on their site.
Now that you've stopped laughing, can someone answer the question?

Thanks.
Rick
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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts
Response Posted - 05/10/2005 :  07:56:26  Show Profile  Visit britinusa's Homepage
I had a similar question... never used or seen a whisker pole in my laser II dinghy!
Searching the web I found this...
The same site has info on spinaker poles.

[url="http://www.catalina25-250.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=9203"]Link to the forum post [/url]

It seems that the strength of a spinny pole has to be greater than a whisker pole for the same vessel as the forces on the spinny pole are much greater.

The article also has good info on caring for the different types of whisker poles.
Edited by - britinusa on 05/10/2005 07:57:56
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Bill Holcomb
Admiral

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USA
769 Posts
Response Posted - 05/10/2005 :  10:10:21  Show Profile
Hi Rick,

You have a spinnaker pole. Clips at both ends, wires to the clips and a bridle that is used to hold the pole up with the topping lift and swing the pole forward/aft with the spinnaker guy. And, it's a fixed length.

A whisker pole is often adjustable (mine adjusts from 8' to 14'. The whisker pole typically does not have a bridle. And, simply attaches to the mast and to the jibsails clew.

Bill Holcomb - C25 Snickerdoodle #4839
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PZell
Admiral

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USA
548 Posts
Response Posted - 05/10/2005 :  10:11:54  Show Profile
If you have a pole that has two wires attached opposite each other in such a manner that you could hold one of the wires and balance the pole while the other hangs below, then those are bridles and you have a spinnacker pole. There may be other wires attached to the ends to activate the clips.
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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts
Response Posted - 05/10/2005 :  11:48:50  Show Profile  Visit Champipple's Homepage
Not all Spinnaker poles have two bridles and some whisker poles do have bridles so this might not be a good way to tell

The easiest way to tell Spin pole for our boat is going to be about the diameter of a soda can and is fixed in length. Roughly 2 to 2.5 inches A whisker pole is usually adjustable and has a smaller diameter. For the 25 and 250 it will be about the diameter of a can of 35 mil film to about 1.5 inches.

If your pole is off of a Capri - I would put my money on it being a spinaker pole.

If it is a regulation size pole, the length should equal to or less than your J dimension. Probably about 8 to 9 feet in length.
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stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts
Response Posted - 05/10/2005 :  22:30:47  Show Profile
I was saved from your question because the FORESPAR manufacturer's label was still on my whisker pole and I was able to go to their web site to figure out what its function was. While at their website, I also found out I have a tiller extension. I was also able, by brilliant deduction that my other 'whisker pole' is a boat hook but can also be called a collision mitigation device or drivers error stick, it also sends a message to other boaters and dock watchers that a newbie is headed their way.
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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts
Response Posted - 05/11/2005 :  07:23:47  Show Profile  Visit Frank Hopper's Homepage
I thought you guys used hockey sticks for everything!
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At Ease
Admiral

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672 Posts
Response Posted - 05/11/2005 :  19:59:22  Show Profile
Here is the web site and the two definitions from Marisafe:
http://www.marisafe.com/resources/boatdictionary.asp?vmcid=41&vmpid=16

spinnaker pole
a spar attached to the lower front of the mast to support a spinnaker away from a sailboat when sailing downwind


whisker pole
a light spar which holds the jib out when sailing downwind
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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts
Response Posted - 05/11/2005 :  21:24:25  Show Profile  Visit Frank Hopper's Homepage
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by At Ease</i>
<br />Here is the web site and the two definitions from Marisafe:
http://www.marisafe.com/resources/boatdictionary.asp?vmcid=41&vmpid=16

spinnaker pole
a spar attached to the lower front of the mast to support a spinnaker away from a sailboat when sailing downwind


whisker pole
a light spar which holds the jib out when sailing downwind


<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

That is the difference in how they are used. believe me there is a lot of difference in how they are made.

Spinaker pole; Fat, non adjustable, should have bridles

Whisker pole; thin, adjustable, no bridles
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stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts
Response Posted - 05/12/2005 :  01:55:52  Show Profile
Well Frank, I do carry a hockey stick with me at all times... a guy has to be prepared, because you never know when 11 other guys are going to show up and want to play hockey.

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Ed Montague
Captain

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USA
499 Posts
Response Posted - 05/13/2005 :  16:44:01  Show Profile
Or you might go to a fight someday and a hockey game might break out.
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stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts
Response Posted - 05/14/2005 :  01:07:39  Show Profile
My favorite movie line is from an Australian movie....where a fight starts in a bar and the protaganist rolls up his sleeves and wades into the fight saying "Allright, lets play hockey"
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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.