Spinnaker pole to boom

[TiggerToo]

Tigger has a rather flimsy little U-bolt arrangement riveted to the mast to hold the spinnaker pole in place, when I am using it. I am considering something a bit chunkier (the original one keeps coming off if I goosewing due to the forces involved).

First of all: is it a good idea to change it - or should I just consider it a sort of sacrificial "fuse" that saves more expensive and critical damage?

Does anyone have any idea where I might get hold of a better, stronger arrangement?

 

[tillergirl]

http://www.harkenstore.com/uniface.urd/s...Y=409Z56LC5JZ9M

Short piece of track with end stops and a movable car?

 

[dt4134]

You don't have to go to the expense of a track on the mast unless you really want to trim the inboard end of the pole.

You should get a stronger U-bolt though and make sure it is firmly attached. A spinnaker pole suddenly shooting inboard could seriously hurt someone.

Typically arrangements with U-bolts on the masts are common on smaller to medium sized racers and I've never yet seen one fail even in a F8. Is it the U-bolt or the mast that fails? Maybe you need the mast strengthened at that point.

The spinnaker itself is quite likely to be the weakest link, especially if you don't have a heavy weather spinnaker, but blocks, shackles and jammers have been known to go instead.

 

[PembrokeshirePromise]

Don't know what sort of pole you have - but is it the U bolt that comes adrift from the mast (i.e rivets failing??) , or does the pole "jump" off the U bolt - which can happen if the jaws on the pole get worn (and as has been said can be nasty if you happen to be in the way).

If everything is set right - surely the main force should be keeping the pole in compression, and therefore providing little strain on the mast fitting (certainly with a kite). However you do say goosewinging - so are you getting a lot of snatch being transmitted down (or up?) the pole rather than down the genoa sheets maybe which is pulling the fitting off ??

 

[William_H]

When goosewinging I think the length of the pole is very significant. If the pole is too long there is a lot of inward force on the pole but if the pole is short then most of the load is taken by the sheets so much easier.
You might benefit by having a shorter pole for gosewinging than spin pole for spin.
Your description of the fitting is a bit confusing we call it a "snotter" it does have a U section of metal rod welded to a backing. Usually quite strong.
My own experience is that the real strain on this fitting occurs when the pole is forced upwards. The pole fitting is usually twisted and the result in my case is a twisted and damaged spin pole fitting. The mast fitting proving quite strong. There are seveeral sizes available however.
good luck olewill

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

why not put your attachment on the sides of the mast instead or as well as in front so that the compression forces involved are not trying to shear off the existing?
I destroyed my attachment on the mast a couple of years ago when I was continueing to keep the pole out in a rolling sea and the forces were snatching at the mast attachment. My new one is begining to show signs of strain so it's something I'm considering doing.

 

[Scotty_Tradewind]

forot to ask, do you put an uphaul and a downhaul on the end of the pole?
This stops a lot of unwanted snatching etc and may save your mast attachment. I find it helps lots on a long run in a bad sea. I often take the lee sheet that is lying slack and pull that down to a strong deck cleat beneath tha pole so it's not another thing to rig.
The downside to all this string and pole is that it is not always easy to unattach everything in a hurry when things go pearshaped.