Whisker poles

[Ripster]

As relatively new sailors (ex-stinkies for many years) we are still very much learning the fine art of harnessing the breeze. In our steep learning curve, we have come across the question of what to do with the Jib on a downwind run. We don't have a chute (been warned off these as novices) but we need to get the Jib to power up properly downwind in lighter airs. So we have been looking at getting a telescopic whisker pole to use with the Jib (maybe to also use with a chute in future too perhaps) as this looks to be a safe relatively simple option, compared to trying to wrestle a chute or spinny whilst we are gaining experience. Does this sound sensible or are we wasting our time and money until we get the chute?

We tend to sail with only two crew, but have an AP (George! - SWMBO's name for it) as an extra pair of hands at the helm! The boat is a Bav 36 Cruiser.

 

[Tanqueray]

As relatively new sailors (ex-stinkies for many years) we are still very much learning the fine art of harnessing the breeze. In our steep learning curve, we have come across the question of what to do with the Jib on a downwind run. We don't have a chute (been warned off these as novices) but we need to get the Jib to power up properly downwind in lighter airs. So we have been looking at getting a telescopic whisker pole to use with the Jib (maybe to also use with a chute in future too perhaps) as this looks to be a safe relatively simple option, compared to trying to wrestle a chute or spinny whilst we are gaining experience. Does this sound sensible or are we wasting our time and money until we get the chute?

We tend to sail with only two crew, but have an AP (George! - SWMBO's name for it) as an extra pair of hands at the helm! The boat is a Bav 36 Cruiser.

It is a very good option, but (like all poles) the art is in preventing the outboard end of the pole moving around (oscillating) too much.

 

[MoodySabre]

I have a cruising chute and a whisker pole although I've never used the pole on the chute (yet). I bought a Forespar extending pole - they have different sizes depending on boat size. The thing is that a whisker pole tends to be lighter than a spinnaker pole so they don't advise using it for both purposes. As I have no intention of getting a spini that is not a problem.

A cruising chute with a snuffer is very easy to use - not something to be afraid of. Just make sure that you have a snapshackle on the tack that can be released under load in case the wind gets up or you leave it a bit late.

 

[RobbieW]

I recently got this link from Yachting World. It reminded me that I hadnt poled out the jib for a while so we tried it a couple of days later. I was impressed that I could get up to about 120 deg apparent before the jib (on the 'wrong' side) started backing - so quite a lot of room to manouevre.

As someone else said, having a downhaul helps a lot to make the pole stable. Also the suggestion of taking a long sheet to the back quarter from the video is good. By the time we wanted to get rid the wind had crept up to 20 kts or so, with the setup described it rolled away without drama leaving us to sort out the pole at leisure.

Peronally, I dont like extending poles - found them cumbersome to use. I'd rather have a pole the right length - probably slightly longer than the distance between mast and forestay at deck level.

I've not looked at the rest of the series of Pip's videos but, on the basis of that one, they'd be worth viewing.

 

[webcraft]

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In moderate to strong winds we use a pole with uphaul, downhaul and aft guy so we have complete control and can furl the sail quickly while leaving the pole if necessary.

If light airs I use a longish boathook poked through the clew and bungied to a shroud. It works surprisingly well, but it is only for light airs - when the wind gets up use a proper pole.

- W

 

[TimBennet]

Webcraft has it spot on.

With a 36 ft boat, it's best to consider the pole and sail as completely separate entities, unlike a dinghy or small boat where you poke the whisker pole through the clew and use it to shove the foresail to windward.

So set up the pole (proper one piece spinnaker pole is best) rigidly in place supported by a topping lift, downhaul and simple aft guy, with the windward genoa sheet running freely through the outboard end.

Then sheet in and draw the genoa to windward, either from the leeward side or whilst unrolling it.

The joy of this system is that you never have a swinging pole that is out of control and you can always alter course and leave the pole where it is until it's convenient to deal with it. With two of us on board that's been when changing watch so there's an extra pair of hands, or daylight, or on one occasion three days later when the seas settled down.

But don't be put off by using a cruising chute or spinnaker. Most of the horror stories about these are perpetuated by people who simply can't use them. If girls can fly them singlehanded from Open 60's it's obviously all about technique and not manpower. So when the time comes, seek advice from someone that knows what they're doing.

 

[Ripster]

. If light airs I use a longish boathook poked through the clew and bungied to a shroud. It works surprisingly well, but it is only for light airs - when the wind gets up use a proper pole.

- W

I did think about doing something like this when we were out last time and I was literally stood leaning over the rail holding the Jib clew out with my arm trying to see what made a difference and where.

 

[James_Calvert]

.
If light airs I use a longish boathook poked through the clew and bungied to a shroud. It works surprisingly well, but it is only for light airs - when the wind gets up use a proper pole.

- W

I've got a proper pole which I can set up in the approved fashion, but it's telescopic, so a bit heavy.

Recently found myself with an almost full length top section to a Laser mast. Since my son won't need it now it's broken, I was wondering about converting it to a light winds whisker pole.
Anyone care to offer suggestions on suitable end fittings (for a Sadler 32)?

 

[fishermantwo]

I use a windsurfer mast section cut to length fitted with pole ends from a Flying Dutchman.
Its very light and easy to use. Can use it with normal spinnaker topping lift etc but does well with out. Inboard end goes to the rings on the side of the mast for spinnaker jumper poles. Windsurfer masts from the recycle shops would easily handle a 32 footer.

 

[Simondjuk]

Get a chute and fly it! It's not the black art those who find themselves in a pickle with one would have you believe.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

I have a whisker pole and spinnaker pole for the Rival 41C. Both are about 12' long with the whisker pole being significantly lighter than the spinnaker pole. For example I can manhandle the whisker pole from near one of the ends but have to manhandle the spinnaker pole from the mid point.

On the boats I have sailed with Cruising Chutes I have never used a whisker pole to keep it flying. In light airs I have used very light sheets to help keep the clew flying. When the wind is up a little, but still light, don't try and sail down wind, sail 15 degrees off dead down wind and gybe down wind to your destination; this should help to keep the Cruising Chute flying as well as being faster to the destination.

I wouldn't invest in a whisker pole if you are thinking of buying a Cruising Chute. I would invest in one if you only want to use the genoa down wind and did not want a Cruising Chute. If you wanted a spinnaker buy the spinnaker pole as it can also be used as a whisker pole for a genoa.

I would agree that Simondjuk and go ahead and buy the Cruising Chute and start using it, its not that hard to master.

 

[dunedin]

If girls can fly them singlehanded from Open 60's it's obviously all about technique and not manpower. So when the time comes, seek advice from someone that knows what they're doing.

To be fair, AFAIK Open 60s and the like don't use spinnaker poles, at least in single handed mode, but rather use asymmetric sails on roller furlers. Apart from anything else due to their speed the apparent wind is usually too far forward to need a conventional spinnaker and pole.

For short sails (under 2-3 hours on one leg) we rarely bother with a pole for goose winging. By moving genoa cars forward and steering very slightly by the lee the genoa normally stays full on its own - and need to be very far to lee before risking a gybe (Laser sailers often sail massively by the lee intentionally). Clearly in strong winds or waves would need a gybe preventer and or genny pole but not an issue in most conditions if experienced helm and no crew in gybe zone

 

[Ripster]

To be fair, AFAIK Open 60s and the like don't use spinnaker poles, at least in single handed mode, but rather use asymmetric sails on roller furlers. Apart from anything else due to their speed the apparent wind is usually too far forward to need a conventional spinnaker and pole.

For short sails (under 2-3 hours on one leg) we rarely bother with a pole for goose winging. By moving genoa cars forward and steering very slightly by the lee the genoa normally stays full on its own - and need to be very far to lee before risking a gybe (Laser sailers often sail massively by the lee intentionally). Clearly in strong winds or waves would need a gybe preventer and or genny pole but not an issue in most conditions if experienced helm and no crew in gybe zone

Interesting, well we did try this biasing toward filling the Jib - cars all the way forward. But as soon as we filled the Jib, exactly what you suggested happened. The main wanted us to gybe. So we put in a preveter, but this just lost us power in it - thus we concluded a pole was needed or one of the sails becomes ineffective.

 

[fishermantwo]

Interesting, well we did try this biasing toward filling the Jib - cars all the way forward. But as soon as we filled the Jib, exactly what you suggested happened. The main wanted us to gybe. So we put in a preveter, but this just lost us power in it - thus we concluded a pole was needed or one of the sails becomes ineffective.

The whisker pole needs to be long enough to get the clew of the sail out much further than when the genoa is just let out. In my case the sail is pretty much as flat as when close hauled. This gives a lot more effective sail area and the sail can also be eased forward more so that it you can broad reach with the genoa running by the lee and sail tuffs working backwards.

 

[Harvey Cail]

As relatively new sailors (ex-stinkies for many years) we are still very much learning the fine art of harnessing the breeze. In our steep learning curve, we have come across the question of what to do with the Jib on a downwind run. We don't have a chute (been warned off these as novices) but we need to get the Jib to power up properly downwind in lighter airs. So we have been looking at getting a telescopic whisker pole to use with the Jib (maybe to also use with a chute in future too perhaps) as this looks to be a safe relatively simple option, compared to trying to wrestle a chute or spinny whilst we are gaining experience. Does this sound sensible or are we wasting our time and money until we get the chute?

We tend to sail with only two crew, but have an AP (George! - SWMBO's name for it) as an extra pair of hands at the helm! The boat is a Bav 36 Cruiser.

You will find that a whisker pole will transform you downwind sailing, it is amazing how much more power is developed and how much easier it is for you or George to steer.

You do not necessarily need a telescoping pole, just get one long enough for your biggest jib with a release latch at the outer end. Extra sheet will fill in the space when smaller jibs are used.

Ideally a foreguy, afterguy and topping lift should be used so that the pole can be rigged in a fixed position. This will allow you to unlatch the jib sheet and deal with the jib while leaving the pole in place until you have time to deal with it.

With the Main squared off and vanged down and a jib pole held down by the guys, you will find that steering is finger tip.