Whisker pole mounting for an "M"

[CampCook]

The other similar topic reminded me -- What do you use for a mast fitting for the whisker pole for the swiveling mast? At the last LHPCC I was using my NEW whisker pole for the second time. We were rocking along wing on wing just fine until the wind dumped suddenly and the mast swiveled - the fitting snapped and the NEW whisker pole fell into the lake.. We looked but of course the chances of finding it was zero as could have been predicted.

Anyway, someday I will spring for another pole and need to have the fitting stick out enough to allow the pole to go either side regardless of mast position. At least, that seems to me to be what has to be. Maybe there is a better solution. Ideas?

[RobertB]

Sounds like you bought the whisker pole with one spike end instead of two clip ends.

I noticed that the mast could turn and result in the pole attachment having problems. I am considering attaching a short loop to the existing mast fitting to address this geometry problem.

[mika]

Glad you raised this subject. Are you using the whisker pole with a jib or another foresail? On most sailboats they are used with spinnakers. I notice that my jib doesn't seem to want to cooperate with my wing-and-wing plans and was wondering if a whisker pole would be applicable. Does Mac sell a pole rig for an "M" or does one get those elsewhere?

[CampCook]

Yes, I bought the pole with a spike on one end as that is what I had used on a prior boat. Think I will do differently the next time. The bracket was a plastic one that came with the pole and was mounted to the front of the mast. Also, I was using the pole with a 150 genoa wing on wing.

As I said, everything was going well until the mast swiveled. Maybe I need to talk to a catamaran owner as they also se swiveling masts. But, it seems like someone here must have the solution.

[THE CUSCUS]

Mika, a spinnaker pole is used with a spinnaker, a whisker pole is used with a genoa when running wing on wing. They are two different poles, the whisker pole being much lighter duty. A spin pole has to handle much higher loads.

[robbarnes1965]

I use an extendable fiberglass/aluminum paint pole I bought from home depot as a whisker pole with a climbing carabiner attached to each end. The other end clips on the genoa sheet. I attach the mast end to the mast raising attachment. the carabiners are attached with hose clamps and tie-wraps so I thing there is enough flex in my ghetto system that it handles the mast pivot just fine

[jbousquin]

I use an extendable fiberglass/aluminum paint pole I bought from home depot as a whisker pole with a climbing carabiner attached to each end. The other end clips on the genoa sheet. I attach the mast end to the mast raising attachment. the carabiners are attached with hose clamps and tie-wraps so I thing there is enough flex in my ghetto system that it handles the mast pivot just fine

Rob, another priceless contribution from you to the site. I've been wanting to get a whisker pole, but just can't justify $400 for a proper rig. This sounds ideal. Do you have pics?

[Hamin' X]

I have used an extension paint pole on my X. I drilled a hole in the handle and passed a small line through it. I used this to tie around the mast, just above the gooseneck. On the outer end, I hacked off a cheap paint roller handle and formed a smooth spike. Plenty of slack and worked great. This is the best picture that I have of it:



I have since gone to an extendable boat-hook from Davis. It has threads on the hook end that accepts the paint roller handle and I use the rope trick on the handle end. Still works as a boat hook, also. Sorry, no picture.

~Rich

[baldbaby2000]

I use a standard stainless steel eye riveted to the front of the mast. I never broke anything but it does tend to catch the genoa sheets when coming about if the genny doesn't get across before the mast rotates.

[robbarnes1965]

For once I actually do have pictures of my "whisker pole".




The last picture has it in it's put away position. Just haul up the halyard.

One thing that will also help that I have been too preoccupied to do is set up a downhaul to keep the pole from rising when deployed. A simple line run from the middle or farther of the pole down to a block at the base of the stanchion and back to the cockpit will do the trick. It keeps the sail shape better but it's not a deal breaker.

This is the quick version of the pole. I actually plan to drill holes in the pole to more properly attach some clips to replace the carabiners once the summer is over and I have more tinkering time. It does work quite well but it does look pretty ghetto. For anyone who might want to try this and wants to know how to deploy it, here is a great demo on a very relaxed method. Racers will not want to roll up the foresail but for a pleasure outing this is the way to go. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGwNsS27R14

Other hints on cleaning it all up which I like are here: http://www.lazyka.com/LazyKa/content/mo ... erPole.htm I do NOT like the pointy end but would rather see both ends like the snap hook. My carabiners work fine but entail using too creative ways of binding them to the pole. Plus, they are expensive to buy if you do not already have them lying around.

Hope this helps,

Rob

[Highlander]

Well just mounted mine @ 47" I'll know this wk-end if it's too high

J

[mika]

Thank guys, for the info and excellent creativity for whisker poles! I plan to duplicate!

[turtonr]

I made mine out of a broom handle, coat of varnish and a couple of good clips either end....works a treat.

[Mac26Mpaul]

Hey Turtonr, what kind "clips" did you use on the broom handle? Are you just clipping it onto the mast raising point on the mast, or did you rivet an eye or something on the mast?

[Terry]

I have a 2 foot length of 3/4" t-track mounted on the front of my mast and I have a small dinghy sized spinnaker car on it. I can adjust the height of the car for the jib, genoa or gennaker if I should so choose. No picture at the moment but several boats in MYCBC club have installed this assembly and like it.