cheap whisker poles

[c_roff]

I am trying to get hold of a pair of whisker poles to set 2 jibs, wing & wing, for long distance downwind passage making. The correct size for my 35ft long keel ketch is nearly 5m. This is a pretty awkward size for stowing on board but the correct size telescopic version costs about £400! Does anyone have any bright ideas for stowing a pair of 5m x 90mm dia poles on a 35 ft boat, or any suggestions for a low cost alternative to a £400 telescopic Selden pole?

whistler

 

[chippie]

Large diameter bamboo lashed to toerails?

 

[tony_brighton]

The traditional solution is to mount them vertically on the front/sides of the mast

 

[Shanty]

Have you tried pricing poles from Z Spars? I recently purchased a new boom from Z Spars - the Selden equivalent was considerably more expensive for a very similar product.

 

[dickh]

Agree with previous post, try Z-spars their web site is z-spars.co.uk -I think...
dickh

 

[ccscott49]

Thin round poles, approx 2" diameter pine, bannister rails are handy sized, from local wood yard, spinny pole ends from local chandlers, screwed on ends, find two good ones, bound with fibreglass tape and epoxy resin, a bit messy to do, but really, really strong and light, stow on deck by toerails, or on the side of the mast. I know it works.

 

[c_roff]

Ive been advised that alloy poles should be at least 80 - 90 mm dia. Are 2in / 50mm dia softwood poles really going to be strong enough? The boat is an 8 ton long keel ketch. What if she rolls a bit and dips the poles in the water? Since my original enquiry I ve contacted Z Spars - approx £200 for a pole.
A wooden pole + end fittings + epoxy, tape etc etc will probably work out just as expensive. I've looked into buying alloy tube and all the bits but for this option I'll also end up with possibly an inferior pole for the same cost. Have I missed something?
Many thanks for everyone's advice. The bamboo option has a certain appeal!
Chris.

whistler

 

[ccscott49]

I admit, my poles are 75 x 100 in the middle and taper to 50 at the ends, no fibreglass tape, they are also 16' long on a 57' 48 ton ketch, I've never had any problems with mine, even when they did dip in the water, I also use them as cargo poles, the strain on a pole should not be in bending moment anyway, mind you £200 sounds fine to me, go for the ally option! You dont have to buy fibreglass etc from the chandlers, its quite a cheap material, if you know where to get it from!! I do.