whisker pole

[Catigale]

That was a rather clipped response, Rich..

[Hamin' X]

Clipped? Give me a clew.

~Rich

[Catigale]

Anyway you spin it you are still a drifter...

[seahouse]

Haven't done this yet, but the telescoping handle from a pool vacuum should also be quite suitable, and widely available.

Light (lighter than a paint roller handle, I expect) but strong, anodized aluminum for corrosion resistance, plenty long (easy to cut down to just-the-long-enough length), and could be easily modded to do double duty as a boat hook or reach pole for MOB assistance.

Only two sections, though, so less compactable (if that's a word) for storage.

- B.

[Steve K]

so less compactable (if that's a word) for storage.

Yea donno either

Thought about a pool pole before. They seem pretty flimsy to me, but you're right about them being lighter.
Could be okay in all but really high winds.

I don't really know what the wind speed was, last time I used it. Boat speed was 5 to 6 knots (never actually hit 6...... 5.8 though). I think this would be the upper limit for my boat hook pole.

If you do the pool pole, lets us know how well it works.

When you get into longer lengths, the only places to store it that I can think of (when not in use) would be standing up on the leading edge of the mast, or along one side and clipped/bungeed to the stanchions. When I had my X boat, I had a T track on the front of the mast for the ring. The ring could be lowered to the deck and the end of the pole stayed on it. There was a rubberized clip about 6 feet up the mast for the other end of the pole to stow in. This was an easy and convenient setup. I keep meaning to set my D up like this, but haven't yet (just have a fixed mast ring). The only restriction on this would be the height of your mast light.

Best Breezes,
Steve K.
Mac 26D "Three Sheets"

[Phil M]

I made a whisker pole from an aluminum pool pole, and it still works. But I only use it in very light wind conditions. My next whisker pole will be from the Home Depot paint department.

[seahouse]

OK, so nicht on the pool handle- I didn't realize it had been tried before. Thanks Phil and Steve.

One concern I did have is that a small dent in the tube can render it unserviceable (it will be unretractable, if that's a word).