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Does anyone have any experience on the difference and use of a spinnaker pole versus the heavier and more expensive whisker pole?
There are times I would like to pole out my spinnaker to run a little tighter to down wind or even to run wing on wing. The jump in price ($150 to $450) to get the heavier wisker pole so I could use it on my 150 Genoa is what I am trying to decide on. Anyone use either pole and want to comment?

I would appreciate comments based on hands on experience.

Spinnaker poles are more exspensive than Whisker poles !
Here's something I've been working on when ever I get a chance which is not to often these days a litttle differnt !


J
PS . you can make your own poles !!

I'm almost finished with my home made whisker pole.
I looked for a light pole (and cheap..) but all I've seen recently is out of weight ... or budget
Cost?
-paint roller
-Paint roller extender
-miscellaneous (aluminum.. chords.. etc)
-time consuming (but I keep busy )
Here you can see the diagram I made to accomplish the project..

PD.- Diameter of paint roller outer tube is 1 inch.
The inner tube (ended with roller) 1/2 inch. I flatten it on the end to insert the roller

The spinnaker pole is $150...material waste and my time probably a break even...I'd rather spend that time sailing.

My real question should have been....does anyone use a pole for their Genoa and if so what issues of strength do they have? I assume a spinnaker pole is too light for using on a 150 Genoa.

Trouts Dream wrote:The spinnaker pole is $150...material waste and my time probably a break even...I'd rather spend that time sailing.

My real question should have been....does anyone use a pole for their Genoa and if so what issues of strength do they have? I assume a spinnaker pole is too light for using on a 150 Genoa.

Nope You got it wrong
A whisker pole is designed for use with either a Jib or Genny & a Spinnaker pole is stronger & designed for use with a Spinnaker or Drifter

J

Highlander is right. The whisker is the lighter pole. I made my own out of 1' OS aluminum tubing and started with two PVC end attachments. They were not strong enough and broke first time I used them in heavier conditions. I have now riveted Metal attachments that were about $30 each but much better. The pole should be the length of the sail foot I believe but I made mine slightly shorter
BB

I have used the smalles forespar brand whisker pole for 3 years on my 26x
with no problems. It is one of my most useful pieces of equipment.
You will have to add an eye to the front of your mast which takes
about a half an hour. It makes down wind sailing in gusty weather
so much more relaxing and efficient as it prevents the genny from
collapsing and boat losing momentum. Very relaxing is running downwind
with genny only on a whisker pole...

Here in this vid you can see my flying two Headsails wing on wing the jib is on my boat hook which doubles as a whisker pole, a cut off paint roller screws on the hook end and a metal whisker connector is mounted inside the handle at the other end , the genny is on a whisker pole that is a bigger Dia. pole
http://s78.photobucket.com/albums/j95/m ... 010015.mp4

J

The fore spar ADJ 612 is the one that many of us have used on and

It's a bit too short for the 150 genny but works ok in either clip or spike version - your poison of preference.

http://www.mauriprosailing.com/Forespar ... 06000.html