Measuring a spinnaker pole

[woody001]

Hi,

Need (another) spinnaker pole, just to confirm i require the J measurement.

This measurement is taken from what height at the mast to what part of the forestay?

Ie is the measurement of J at the deck level or wast level?

I will be doing dip pole gybes.
thanks all..measuring up in the morning!

Si.

 

[paul_williams]

don't quote me on this, this late at night, but I'm pretty sure its the measurement from the foot of the mast to the forestay, where it attaches to the deck.

 

[woody001]

i thought that as well...can anyone else confirm?

Si.

 

[oldsaltoz]

From the ring on the mast, or lowest position on the slider if you have one to a point inside the forestay about a foot or so off the deck to allow the pole to pass inside when still fixed to the mast.

Avagoodweekend.

 

[woody001]

Good stuff oldsaltz, you always help me out!

 

[paul_williams]

buy a telescopic one, and bypass the potential problems.

 

[woody001]

Would do that, but they look a bit tacky.

 

[paul_williams]

yeah, but if it's a second pole, it's more versatile as well. my poles have always been a bit long for using as a wisker pole for instance.

 

[woody001]

Good point.

 

[VicS]

The J measurement is horizontally at deck level but what oldsaltoz suggests is a valid maximum length for a spinnaker pole as it will allow dip pole gybing.

You will find all the standard rig dimensions HERE

A telescopic pole which can be extended to about 1.25 J will be more suitable for a whisker pole than a standard spinaker pole

 

[Rick]

Adding to what Oldsaltoz and VicS have said, the J measurement relating to spin poles dates to the IOR measurement days - it no longer really features apart from eg IRC applying a factor for your pole length or specific class regs, whereas under IOR it couldn't be more than J.

I'd set the length as Oldsaltoz suggests and no less, as you rarely wish your pole was shorter!

Regards whisker poles, my J is 3.9m, long pole is 4.4m but could still be longer as a whisker pole for square running the genoa in white sails races - I think ideal length would be if you had a right angle triangle made of sides J and genoa foot, the hypotenuse would be it, but much too big for a spinnaker pole.

 

[William_H]

Re Old sal Oz I feel sure he meant Pole attachment on the track at the upper most position. (not lower) Most people raise the pole at the mast attachment up as high as possible when dippingthe pole to enable the pole to swing through the fore triangle.
Now you could do far easier jibes by not raising the pole base up the mast but you would end up with a much shorter pole than could be used by raising the pole.
A longer pole I think is good to get the spin out further when running and having it further forward when shy.
So I think for competition you would have a pole length just short enough to fit through the fore triangle with the base up the track but as long as poossible.
Having said that if it is a second pole I am surprised you havn't got firm ideas about what you want as compared to the existing pole. Around here a second pole is usually identical to the first so the 2 can be used for mast lowering going under bridges.... nolewill

 

[TiggerToo]

What exactly is a whisker pole? And when do you use it?

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

Its a pole for holding out the foresail in light winds....... typically used when on long downwind legs, or when using twin foresails.....

Usually much lighter in weight and construction than a spinnaker pole....