Poling out headsail/spinnaker with boat hook?

[Roach1948]

No work on that boat this weekend (obvious reasons) so dreaming of future projects instead.

I am looking at my spinnaker arrangement (non at present) and thought that it would be a very clever idea to make up a pole that can double as a boathook and also as a spinnaker pole. I have read that people sometimes use a boathook to pole out a headsail - but I wonder what sort of boat hook fitting is on the end to make the connection to the sail reliable?

I was thinking of adding a typical push-rod connection at one end for connection to mast, and a spike-and-hook (the dangerous looking sort!) boat hook connection at the other end of the pole for connecting to the headsail.

Anybody had any experience of using an ambidextrous boathook out or am I trying to be too clever?

 

[sarabande]

IMHO the compression loads on a spinnaker pole would cause an ordinary boat hook to fail under load.

F'rinstance, on my boat, the spi pole is about 4" diameter alumium tube with a clip on each end so that the mast end and sail tack are not free to jump out when the load moves from compression to tension. Length about 14ft, weight about 22lbs.

The boat hook is solid wood, 1.25 " diameter, about 8ft long, a simple spike, and open hook arrangement on the terminal (outer end) fixing. weight about 4lbs

They do different jobs, so need different design solutions.

 

[Guest]

Whilst I would agree with your comments in general terms, he is talking about a much smaller boat than you have, if it's only a tiddly spinny, he might be able to get away with it? I have successfully used a boat hook to pole out genoas on small craft, a spinny might be stretching it. on the other hand, a cruising shute would not need a pole. Just a thought? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Roach1948]

Sorry, I should have said I have a mini yacht. Pole would be 8ft long and made out of 1 1/2 ash with tapered ends, which is the normal spec for a wooden spinny pole for a yacht this size. If anything maybe overspec'd due to weight.

Oh yes, should also mention its a fractional rig so spinny is quite small for modern day standards at around 80sq ft.

 

[Guest]

Go for it, can't hurt to give it go can it? Probably best to attach sheets to spinny with a small bowline, then you can shove spike of hook through bowline loop, less risk of damaging sail?...........Erm, wouldn't exactly call it a mini yot, more of a delicately proportioned classic really? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Roach1948]

Thanks for the compliment - Some people call yachts my size pocket cruisers, but I like Dallimore's own description; a a "Tabloid Cruiser".

 

[Guest]

Tabloid Cruiser?.......Oh dear me no, reminds me of a Mirror Dinghy!! OOooooooops, now I am for it, take cover! incoming!!! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Roach1948]

Since the Independent started the trend that respected broadsheets go tabloid size (in London anyway), I think tabloids have more integrity than ever before!

 

[Guest]

Well you might be right ????? anyway, hows that pretty wee boaty of yours coming on? Hope you are going to do lots of really nice traditional joinery on the internal fit out? I always liked all that vertical T&G they used, and longitudonal battens across the stringers, leaves an air gap behind things like the berth cushions. Then of course you really ought to have a nice solid fuel stove? Lots of brass and oil lamps? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[sarabande]

agreed, I should have looked at the design environment first !
/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Guest]

Have you had a look at his blog? small boat, but big nice! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Roach1948]

Progress is slow to be honest, but still oncourse for launch next year. The interior is all cream T&G with solid satin varnished mahog. Panelling all done to Dallimore's orginal design. Dallimore liked panelling - see thread on biscuit joinery. It would be far easier to batton the bunk backs! There will be some battons in the forepeak, but these butt up against each other Herreshoff style - again to original design specs.

Sadly not much space for solid fuel stove, but you'll be pleased to hear brassware abounds. All electrics hidden behind panelled front.

Anyway - back to boathooks and spinnakers?

 

[Guest]

[ QUOTE ]

Anyway - back to boathooks and spinnakers?

[/ QUOTE ]

What for we done that, get on with it! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Have a look at this, he does a really tiny one /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

http://www.windysmithy.co.uk/html/woodburners.htm

?????????????? /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Roach1948]

I'll try and update the blog! There' s quite a lot of stuff I have yet to publish.

 

[Peterduck]

One of the really beaut things about a proper double ended [or ambidextrous] spinnaker pole, is being able to tack the spinnaker by snapping the pole end on to the new clew while the other end is still attached to the old clew. The old clew can then be released calmly and attached to a point which may or may not be on the mast, but will be near the centreline.

With a pole where one end is a bo'ook, the whole pole has to be end-for-ended, which can be 'exciting' if things are getting a bit rough, and the boat is trying to chuck you off the foredeck. I have used one of these [and my ketch 'Swallow' is so equipped] as a whisker pole to pole out the jib when running. In this it is entirely successsful.
Peter.

 

[Gordonmc]

I am on the lookout for a replacement whisker pole since the last, home-made one jumped overboard during a blow.
It was made up of 8cm spruce with spinaker pole-ends... they came out of a skip still attached to an ali pole. It had been thrown away becasue the plastic piston liners had seized, but it only took a few minutes to free them. No good for a racer, but fine for my use.
The advantage of spi pole ends is speed of attachment to the genoa clew. Trying to tie on a pole end on a bouncy foredeck won't be much fun.
Sadly I have found brass and bronze ends are expensive; I can't justify paying more than 100 beer tokens for a pair from Classic Marine.
Its back to the skip for me.
BTW, while a telescopic boathook is unlikely to be strng enough you might want to look at decorators' paint roller poles which are much stronger. Some have the same attachment arrangements.

 

[Mirelle]

Re: Poling out headsail/spinnaker with boat hook

Guaranteed way to lose boat hook.

Don't ask me how I know that!

 

[Roach1948]

Well it would seem from the last two posts that either one have a propensity to go in the drink. So that has decided it.

I will make a boat hook AND a spinnaker pole - and either/or can do the job of the other when the other has gone for a swim.

I, too, was very tempted by the bronze £64 classic marine piston ends, but I think I would be v. peed off if my pole goes in the drink with a pair of those babies on either end!