Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2007 3:52 pm
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Eric,
The painter's pole is actually a thicker grade aluminum than my boat-hook. My supplier says it is the one that the professional trades painters use. It costs more than the fiberglass poles.
Manufacturer is Mallory So. Sioux City, Iowa/Blenheim Ontario
Product name is Quick Reach Telescopic Handle 16.5'. Should anyone else want to check them out.
I am not racing, but there is a bit of friendly rivalry amongst other similar sized boats in the marina. You can see them strategizing once they leave the marina, some run, some do a long tack on a beam reach then scoot back on a broad reach and catch up to, or overtake the guy on a run. I still haven't got the strategies figured out, but I am sure I may, someday. With rocky bluffs about three miles out to theNE of marina I know there are guys who will tack in close when winds are light to catch some down-drafts. Some will go to the centre of the bay to use the ebb tides to their advantage. But these guys are experts, I am still learning!!