Selden Telescopic Whisker pole - where do you attach the topping lift and guys?

[seajayare]

Numpty question but only used my telescopic whisker pole once and I rigged the topping lift and fore guy to the metal loops at the end of the fixed section of my selden telescopic whisker pole (the loops look to be asking to have lines attached!) which means they end up being about 1/2 way (ish) down the extended poles length. Everything seemed to work ok but the wind was very light. I have now had a look on the internet to see how the thing is supposed to be rigged and everybody else seems to rig their lines (topping and fore/aft guys) to the end of the pole at the clew of the headsail but then I can't work out what the loops at the end of the fixed section are for. Seems to make some sense to support the pole in the centre but I reckon it also make sense to support it at the end too!

Also why do you need an aft guy as it seems to do a very similar job to the sails sheet?

Cheers for any help that might stop me bending the thing next time I use it!

 

[awol]

Spinnaker poles have attachments at the ends or bridles to keep the pole in compression and avoid bending - there can be significant loads on the downhaul. A whisker pole topping lift is only to support the pole weight to open the foresail leech and you are correct that it does not need an aft guy.

 

[knuterikt]

Numpty question but only used my telescopic whisker pole once and I rigged the topping lift and fore guy to the metal loops at the end of the fixed section of my selden telescopic whisker pole (the loops look to be asking to have lines attached!) which means they end up being about 1/2 way (ish) down the extended poles length. Everything seemed to work ok but the wind was very light. I have now had a look on the internet to see how the thing is supposed to be rigged and everybody else seems to rig their lines (topping and fore/aft guys) to the end of the pole at the clew of the headsail but then I can't work out what the loops at the end of the fixed section are for. Seems to make some sense to support the pole in the centre but I reckon it also make sense to support it at the end too!

Also why do you need an aft guy as it seems to do a very similar job to the sails sheet?

Cheers for any help that might stop me bending the thing next time I use it!

Attachmen at the end will transfer the load directly to the fixing point on the boat, less bending of the pole.

Aft guy in combination with extra sheet give safer and more flexible use.
Lay extre sheet in boom end
rig boom with fore, aft and topping lift in position
attach extra sheet to sail (or have it permanently rigged)
transfer load to new active sheet

If you need to go higher for some reason, just release the active sheet.
Boom is stable and can be taken in after situation is cleared.

 

[LittleSister]

If I may - The telescopic whisker pole that came with my 23' boat has attachment loops at both ends, but came with a bridle between these with a central ring which I assume is to attach the uphaul to. Given the modest loads at this scale, is there any advantage or disadvantage to supporting the pole from both ends (via the bridle) rather than one end?

 

[RichardS]

Numpty question but only used my telescopic whisker pole once and I rigged the topping lift and fore guy to the metal loops at the end of the fixed section of my selden telescopic whisker pole (the loops look to be asking to have lines attached!) which means they end up being about 1/2 way (ish) down the extended poles length. Everything seemed to work ok but the wind was very light. I have now had a look on the internet to see how the thing is supposed to be rigged and everybody else seems to rig their lines (topping and fore/aft guys) to the end of the pole at the clew of the headsail but then I can't work out what the loops at the end of the fixed section are for. Seems to make some sense to support the pole in the centre but I reckon it also make sense to support it at the end too!

Also why do you need an aft guy as it seems to do a very similar job to the sails sheet?

Cheers for any help that might stop me bending the thing next time I use it!

I also have an identical telescopic pole and use the centre "handles" for an uphaul and a downhaul to hold it in position when goosewinging and allow me to furl or unfurl the genoa whilst leaving the pole in place and securely supported and held from swinging around.

It seems to work well unless someone has a better suggestion.

Richard

 

[seajayare]

cheers all. I had another play this weekend single handed no wind. I think I will stick to using the mid loops (easily reached for rigging and removing) but I think I will try using an aft guy so I can get the pole out before unfurling the headsail as the headsail didn't want to unfurl with the pole out the front.

 

[VicS]

cheers all. I had another play this weekend single handed no wind. I think I will stick to using the mid loops (easily reached for rigging and removing) but I think I will try using an aft guy so I can get the pole out before unfurling the headsail as the headsail didn't want to unfurl with the pole out the front.

Surely you should be sailing on a broad reach with the sail already unfurled.

Then run a second sheet from the windward side outside the shrouds , across the foredeck and clip it to the clew,

Set the pole up on the uphaul and downhaul to windward with the additional sheet running through its end fitting. and the pole resting gently against the forestay/ furling spar

Now bear away and when almost on the run gybe the sail across using the additional sheet sheeting in as required.

You are now in a position in which you can without taking the pole down gybe back again if necessary or continue the turn gybing the main in the normal manner and sheeting in the headsail further, with its normal sheet, under the pole

 

[seajayare]

VicS,
at the moment I am furling the sail, setting the pole and then unfurling. Just because thats what I have found on the forespar videos on youtube, they don't say why to furl first! I will give it a go as you describe.

 

[prv]

Given the modest loads at this scale, is there any advantage or disadvantage to supporting the pole from both ends (via the bridle) rather than one end?

Possibly the bridle was just copied from (some) spinnaker poles, where it's used to allow an end-for-end gybe?

Pete

 

[RichardS]

VicS,
at the moment I am furling the sail, setting the pole and then unfurling. Just because thats what I have found on the forespar videos on youtube, they don't say why to furl first! I will give it a go as you describe.

That's how I usually do it.

Set up the pole when the foredeck is nice and clear with no sail flapping about, then once it's all set up and the pole is extended with the sheet in the jaws, retire safely back to the cockpit and unfurl the genoa. Nice and unfussed.

If the wind picks up too much or changes direction or you need to change heading away from a run, simply furl in the genoa and the pole just sits there. In fact, if I've furled the sail because I'm arriving at an anchorage I just leave the pole in place until the anchor's down and everything is settled. Have a glass of wine then toddle up front and take down the pole.

Richard