Spinnaker pole - which way up?

[neil_s]

My pole has the uphaul and downhaul fittings all on the same side so it's not obvious as to which way up it should be when you clip it on. I have a a little loop of cord through the central eye and around the pole for the uphaul, the eyes in the end fittings thus are downward facing, for the two ends of the downhaul bridle. This arrangement means that the pole can drop away from the guy when you pull the release line but is this correct? It seems more logical that the guy should drop away from the pole. I only set the spinny in the lightest of conditions - mostly I sail single handed. I do enjoy messing around with it, though! Sadly, my photo is too big to attach but any comments gladly received!

 

[awol]

My pole has the uphaul and downhaul fittings all on the same side so it's not obvious as to which way up it should be when you clip it on. I have a a little loop of cord through the central eye and around the pole for the uphaul, the eyes in the end fittings thus are downward facing, for the two ends of the downhaul bridle. This arrangement means that the pole can drop away from the guy when you pull the release line but is this correct? It seems more logical that the guy should drop away from the pole. I only set the spinny in the lightest of conditions - mostly I sail single handed. I do enjoy messing around with it, though! Sadly, my photo is too big to attach but any comments gladly received!

Pistons on the top so pole can drop off guy and mast.

 

[jlavery]

Pole dropping away from the guy is the correct orientation.

 

[neil_s]

Thank you, both! It seems odd that the manufacturer should rivet the uphaul eye plate onto the wrong side of the pole - ah! maybe it's so you can stow the pole up the fore side of the mast.

 

[TSB240]

We have a Dip pole arrangement. No downhaul bridle uphaul and down haul go to outer end using same fitting for up haul on top side of pole.
Pole is stowed at front of mast by pulling on continously line to lift inner end up track on front of mast. Outer end has piston open at bottom that clips onto mast ring at bottom of track for stowage. Pole is 4m long and would be a handful to end for end!
I don't think having fittings on the underside of the pole restricts stowage to the front of the mast.

 

[garymalmgren]

I am of the either way faction.
Piston on top means easy release.
Piston below means easy attachment.
I have a gennaker and use piston below method.

gary

 

[Laser310]

there is no "wrong" way...

but most people do it jaws facing up, so the pole can drop away from the guy.

rounding a leeward mark to port is typical, and it's often easiest for final approach to that mark to be on port tack, with the pole out to port.

if you will be setting the spinnaker again, you want to take it down on the windward side of the boat, because that's going to be the leeward side when you round the next weather mark to port on starboard tack.

so a good technique is to strip the pole early and stow it, flying the spinnaker for a bit without a pole on a deep course.

having the pole drop away makes it easy to get it down.

then, at in the last few seconds, you take the spinnaker down to windward, and turn the boat upwind.

another advantage of jaws up is that during the gybe, it's easier to push the pole up on to the mast ring than to pull it down on to the mast ring.

 

[William_H]

I think OP is over thinking the question. It does not matter unless he finds from experience a reason to go one particular way. Ease of release might be a reason.
On my little boat I stow the pole on the mast. there is a fitting at the base that takes the pole end fitting. It doesn't stay on the snotter (ring on the mast)
This means topping lift remains permanently attached set at a suitable height. Takes the weight of the pole when attaching or removing. The topping lift then orientates the pole (i am not sure which way)
I have fiddles with down haul on the mast but have reverted to kickers on the sheet to hold pole down. I could not get enough power (control) over pole from a down haul mid pole down to mast base. (strong winds shy spin a disaster) Kickers one each side operating from a sheave half way along fore deck gunwhale.
Suggest Op try that system. ol'will

 

[neil_s]

Thank you, all - I see that I'll have to do some practicing with my spinnaker to decide what works best for me, Its unlikely that I'll be rounding any leeward marks, but I do like to be smart in my boat handling. I have a copy of Selden's spinny article which shows the set-up I have - in their under 50 sq m section. They don't show the orientation of the end fitting though, until you get to the 'over 80 sq m - dip pole' method which seems way beyond my level. I do have barber haulers to help with holding down the pole and I'll keep in mind William_H's suggestion for kickers direct to the weather rail. 'Ease of release' is also on the list!