MacGregorSailors.com

Thinking about adding a whisker pole to Gypsea Dream equipment. I see they come in 4 ft to 8 ft or 6 to 12 feet. Which one is best to buy?. My boat is equipped with a 150% genoa.
Thanks for the help.
Dave

Hello Dave,

I would like to join you in this discussion. I have looked at several old posts, but I think a fresh look at the topic would be great. In addition to your question, I'm also interested in how to make one myself. I would like to know where to get the hardware for the two ends of the whisker pole as well as the attachment on the mast.

Thank you very much
Finn

Camp Cook,
I think you want a pole as long as the genny is, or there about.
That puts you in the 15-18 foot range, as I understand things.

Finn,
Long time, no see.

I made mine from a long, extendable, heavy duty paint extension pole from Home Despot for around $30 or so.
It's been awhile, but I think it's an 8' to 16' pole, gray ribbed fiberglass outside, aluminum inner extension.
A paint roller frame hacked sawed at the right place makes a great, ready to go, clew "stabber".

A simple rope loop at the other of the pole, placed around one of the existing mast cleats, anchors the inboard pole end in fine fashion.
No muss, no fuss, and nothing to buy.
The existing halyard cleats seem to be about the perfect height for a close-to level whisker pole with my genny.

As the extension is only held at full extension by a friction ring, I drilled a hole through the inner tube to accept a drop through bolt to act as a positive stop to prevent any collapse under load.
I did this mod from day one so I don't know if the friction ring really isn't up to the task.
I know the drop in bolt is and will always be.

I've used this pole several times and it works very well.
Never used it in any wind above 12 kts or so yet, but I'd think it would do well.

See you around,
Bill

I was advised to go with the small twist lock pole made by Forespar, and recommended for dinghies and small day sailors up to about 22'. It is 6 feet long collapsed, and extends out to around 10 or 11 feet. I've used one on our boat for several years, and it's worked fine. We have the 150% genoa. I bought a couple extra lexan pad eyes and installed them on the mast, so I can store the pole above deck. I have a friend, who's a very experienced sailor, who made his own whisker pole out of pvc pipe. He used it in all conditions and never broke it. You wouldn't have the telescoping capability, but it might serve as an inexpensive way to go.

I found a 6-12 forespar at a local consignment for $75. It is virtually new but 1/2 price. I have been advised on this board that this is smaller than recommended but the bigger is alot more cash (over $300 as I recall) and much heavier/larger.
I have only used it a few times but works great, easy to store (below so far). 150 genoa.

Great idea for a "clew stabber"! You can also use a collapsible 16' flag pole from Harbor Freight. $24 on sale. Stouter than a paint pole, but you'd hafta figure out the stabber.

I have an extendable 14' aluminum boat hook that we use as a whisker pole as well, with the loop of rope on one end to cleat it off and a slightly "sharpened" plastic nubbin at the end. Works just fine. I'm all about "multi-purpose", especially for things that are long and hard to stow.

Matt

Chinook wrote: ...
I bought a couple extra lexan pad eyes and installed them on the mast, so I can store the pole above deck.

How could this be used to store a whisker pole above deck?

Phil M

Ugh..clip it to the top one and tie off to the bottom one?

Do I win a prize?

Visit the Mod's section regarding size, use, and stowage on this topic: 26X Whisker Pole

"Sub" Ed

I use a 12' to 6' collapsable and store it vertical against the mast. Run the whisker pole up under the mast bail used for raising/lowering the mast and clip the bottom end in the eye pad.

Thanks for all the information... I will go with Ed's recommendation for the 6 to 12 foot length. I also like the mdeane's idea of storage on the mast. Will definitely try that.
Dave

For PHRF racing, the max length of your whisker pole is equal to your "J" measurement (horizontal distance from the front of the mast to where your forestay attaches to the boat, measured at deck level). For most Macs this would be in the 8-10' range. I use this as my max length for the pole, but usually make it smaller to cup the sail more. Don't think making it bigger would help any , as it would make the sail too flat and if it were more advantagious, I'm sure the "racers" would allow it to be longer. Just my thoughts on length. I store mine below, mounted between a padeye towrds the front and a "J"-type hook strap in the rear, mounted to the inside of the cockpit sides.
http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/pi ... reid=14234

For wing-on-wing, DDW sailing, 16'-18' of pole length is needed to get the entire genny out there to catch the most wind,
(refering to a 26M, stock genny).
Anything shorter is reducing the area powered by the wind.

Of course, any pole is better than no pole at all.

For those who race who their Mac's, then PHRF rules will trump the ideal, longer length as THE CUSCUS has noted.