pad eye or mast based downhaul

[Oscarpop]

we are still planning on getting a whisker pole on a track to pole out the genoa and are now looking to the downhaul arrangement.

I am not overly keen on drilling a hole in the deck for a pad eye and have heard several people discussing mounting the downhaul to the mast base using a 2:1 purchase.

The boat is 38 ft and the pole will only be used in light airs.

Thoughts???

 

[garvellachs]

whisker pole

We have a long but very light telescopic whisker pole which we use to pole out a big light genoa in light airs down wind. It doesn't need a down-haul in my experience - in fact I'd worry about the extra forces it might induce on such a light pole. We just put the jaws on the sheet loop through the clew on one end, and the other jaws on the spinnaker pole fitting on the other end. The downside is that light airs can suddenly change into brisker winds round headlands or the like; then it all becomes embarrassing trying to get rid of the pole with a F4 wind in the genoa and the boat getting out of hand! (37ft boat)