whisker pole

[Kevgrn114]

For those of you who use a whisker pole for the 150 genoa on 26X. What size pole do you use? I'm going by West Marine today and most likely one of these is on my list. I'm thinking a 6' to 12' extension…

Also do you recommend the clip at both ends or the ones with a point to stab the clew with?

Thanks,
Kevin

[Tomfoolery]

I think you need a longer whisker pole. The J-dimension is a little over 10 ft, and the 150 genoa has a foot dimension around 16 ft or so.

I prefer the hooks at both ends personally, so I can put it on the sheet, then extend the pole, and even furl the sail with the pole still on it. I also used a topping lift with it (spinnaker halyard) so I didn't lose it, and so I could adjust it up to avoid pulling the sail and sheet down.

I don't have one for this boat, but I used one on my 34 ft boat since I didn't have a spinnaker. My experience comes only from that boat, so how well it translates to the X I couldn't say. It was a very large, line-controlled pole that I could extend under some load, not a twist-lock. Best to get first-hand advice from those with X and M boats and who use a whisker pole, of course.

[Judy B]

For those of you who use a whisker pole for the 150 genoa on 26X. What size pole do you use? I'm going by West Marine today and most likely one of these is on my list. I'm thinking a 6' to 12' extension…

Also do you recommend the clip at both ends or the ones with a point to stab the clew with?

Thanks,
Kevin

Ditto what TK said: About 15' would do it. A hair longer is okay too.

Personally, I prefer jaws at both ends - sometimes it's hard to keep the point in the clew! With jaws, it's not hard. I recommend that you put a small loop of vinyl covered wire through the clew so it's easy to clip the jaw onto the clew.

To deploy the whisker pole: 1) With the genoa sheets eased and the clew within easy reach, clip the jaw onto the clew first, with the jaw opening down. 2) Clip the other end onto the mast with the jaw opening up. 3) Trim the sheets so the pole is at the desired angle.

To release, reverse the order.

Judy B
Sailmaker

[Catigale]

The Forespar 612 is the whisker of choice for Macs, but it is a bit too short for the genny...

when you see the price difference for that extra 3 feet, you'll see why people use the 12 footer....

[tlgibson97]

I am about to buy a whisker pole and was looking at the forespar 6-12. I'd like the 15' pole but I figure having a pole that's a little short is better than no pole at all.

Is the standard 1-1/8" pole (forespar labels it for 22' boat max) sufficient or should I get the HD 1-7/8" pole (forespar labels for 25' boat max)?

If the 1-7/8" pole is needed then I might as well get the 7-15' for not much more.

[sklitzky]

The Forspar pole is a bit too expensive for me, anyone know of a good DIY whisker pole for a 26D 150 Genoa?

[Phil M]

There are several ideas in this forum. The best one I heard was using a extension pole from the paint department at Home Depot. I have looked at them, and when mine breaks, that is what I will do.

[cptron]

I use my extended boat hook for now. Judy is right it is hard to keep the point in the clew until you get it set but once it is set, its better than no pole at all.

[Hamin' X]

Paint pole.



~Rich

[Judy B]

I use my extended boat hook for now. Judy is right it is hard to keep the point in the clew until you get it set but once it is set, its better than no pole at all.

If you have a jaws on both ends of the pole, you can clip the pole onto the genoa sheet and the mast before you even unfurl the genoa. Once it's clipped on, unfurl the genny and trim the sheet so the pole comes back.

Easy-peasy.

[Tomfoolery]

If you have a jaws on both ends of the pole, you can clip the pole onto the genoa sheet and the mast before you even unfurl the genoa. Once it's clipped on, unfurl the genny and trim the sheet so the pole comes back.

Easy-peasy.

That's what I was getting at in my other post, above, but in the reverse. I could furl the sail even with the pole still on it and extended, if needed, and I needed to a number of times. Having the hook on the outboard end is the way I'd go if I were to get one for my present boat, though I don't know if I'd bother since I prefer to use the working jib instead of the genoa.

[Steve K]

I use my boat hook. It's a telescopic pole...3 sections.... around 14 to 16 feet extended (forgot exactly how long, but longer than the 6-12). I installed a clip on the handle grip end to clip into the mast ring. Use the hook end to stab the clew grommet.

It works great, but to a point. I wouldn't use it in in very high winds. Neither would I use a paint pole except one of those high end, fiberglass ones, when the wind gets above about 15 or 20 knots. (Ever ran wing on wing in 25+ knot winds The stress on the pole increases exponentially as wind increases.)

When you deploy it, you can use the lazy sheet to keep the point of the pole in the clew. I keep some tension on the lazy sheet when the pole is out too, to make sure it doesn't slip out of the clew. Then I'm able to adjust the working sheet at will, to move the clew forward or back. This works very well

For our boats, you don't need a real beefy (translated $$expensive$$) pole.
I agree, a 12 foot pole is too short to get the most out of your Genoa, but it will keep the sail out enough so it won't continually collapse and re-fill when running wing on wing. For an X boat with a 150, you need a 16 footer for best use of sail area though.

I'm thinking about building a super drifter and it's foot will be around 18 or 19 feet, so I'll, likely, have to figure out a cheap, but longer pole for it. (if it goes beyond just thought stage, that is).

JMHO,

Steve K.
Mac 26D "Three Sheets"

[Catigale]

Whisker pole point vs clip is just another one of those horrible divides, like lube or no-lube on lug nuts.....

(Ducks for cover)

[Hamin' X]

What's your "point", Cat?

[RobertB]

Whisker pole point vs clip is just another one of those horrible divides, like lube or no-lube on lug nuts.....

(Ducks for cover)

I am really glad you specified lug nuts.