How to use a whisker pole

Flying the headsail downwind with the mainsail can be a bit tricky without a very important tool a properly rigged whisker pole. Use a Whisker Pole.

The topping lift keeps the pole level and allows for better sail shape.

How to use a whisker pole. One can connect a whisker pole to a mast either with a jaw-ring connection or a toggle-style. The ring seems to be perceived as lighter weight but permits an end-to-end gybe with a symmetric spinnaker. The toggle is sturdier but requires a pole-dip gybe.

You can only extend it on a lazy sheet. By the way a whisker pole should be clipped to the sheet and not to the clew ring. Put the pole out first then gybe the sail over to the pole.

If you really need to put the pole on a loaded sheet extend the pole first take it off the mast and attach it to the sheet with the jib behind the main. While the pole is still stowed on deck attach the topping lift and foreguy. Take up the slack in the topping lift.

Leave a few feet of slack in the foreguy. If youre already sailing deep off the wind the jib at this point Should be furled. Release the pole from.

Typically a whisker pole is telescoping and has a pin at one end to insert into the clew cringle. Also a pole lift generally is not required when using a whisker pole the jib leech will support it. If you have spinnaker gear sounds like you do and the pole is shortish then its not a whisker pole.

Flying the headsail downwind with the mainsail can be a bit tricky without a very important tool a properly rigged whisker pole. Bracing the fore sail out to weather with the whisker pole and the boom out to leeward preferably via a preventer aka wing-on-wing can allow for hours of adjustment free downwind sailing even in moderately heavy conditions. Quote Reply Topic.

How to use a whisker pole Posted. 30 August 2009 at 1629 I just got myself a telescopic whisker pole hoping to be able to pole out either the self-tacking jib or the gennaker when the wind is coming more or less straightly from behind. Sailorauthor John Kretschmer demonstrates how to use a whisker pole using a Forespar adjustable pole.

Whisker poles are flown with their jaws opening downward allowing the topping lift to attach to the top of the jaw and for the sheet to fall out of the jaw if the trigger is opened. Simultaneously lower the pole car and walk the pole forward to the windward side of the headstay supporting the weight of the pole with the topping lift. Whisker poles let you pole out your jib or genoa to weather on the opposite side from the main when broad reaching or running downwind.

The sail sets well instead of flopping limp and useless extending out away from the mainsails wind shadow maximizing its projected area and providing a substantial boost in speed with little trimming required. Rigging the Whisker Pole. Whisker poles do need a topping lift to support their weight especially in light air.

Gravity will pull them down and aft on the jib sheet if not supported. The topping lift keeps the pole level and allows for better sail shape. Whisker poles are used to wing out the jib when sailing downwind.

Sailors who have experienced downwind sailing without one can appreciate the value of being able to stabilize the jib enabling the sail to work more efficiently and without the noise of the sail flopping in the wind and waves. Use a Whisker Pole. Sailor John Kretschmer demonstrates how to use a whisker pole using a Forespar adjustable pole.

The spinnaker pole is just slightly too long for the working jib but not too bad. The genoa is perfect. However the key thing is attach the pole with the jib furled then unfurl it pole and all.

This is so easy I can do it by myself with the autopilot. When jibing furl up the sail jibe the main flip the pole to the other side and unfurl the jib. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators.

No matter what it is illegal RRS - Equipment section to use a whisker or any pole for that matter in conjunction with an asymmetric. If you are having trouble keeping the kite inflated try using smaller diameter sheets aka. Dental floss or stripping the covers off of the first 10-20 of sheet.

We then use the pull line Ill call it that that runs the length of the whisker pole and allows us to open the mouth of the pole from afar. Once the mouth of the pole is attached to the sheet not the clew remember I then push the pole slowly out while keeping a hand on my preventers. Installing a Track-Mounted Whisker Pole.

After a year of cruising Que Tal we made a great upgrade to her sail plan. We added a track-mounted whisker pole on the front of her mast. While we had a cruising spinnaker aboard Que Tal we found that we rarely used it.

It was designed for very light air and if the winds got over 10 knots we had to. Using a whisker pole downwind featuring John Kretschmer. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy Safety How YouTube works Test new features 2021.

Why Use a Whisker Pole While Sailing Up Wind on BeamClose Reach. Recently I had the Mystic Wind out to evaluate a design modification. I set a couple of C-Clamps about 22 inches forward of the standard location of the Jib sheet fairleads.

The C-Clamps were there is act as a second set of Jib Sheet fairleads for use with the Storm Jib. I do use a whisker pole on my Hanse 341 to boom out the jib on a dead run. I use a lightweight dinghy spinnaker pole around about 25m long ex Fireball dinghy with spinnaker pole hook fittings on both ends and attach it to the normal spinnaker pole fitting on the mast.

Whisker and spinnaker poles and demountable bow sprits are the way to have fun with downwind sails and they will make sailing easier faster and more fun. Downwind sailing wing and wing. You Might Also Like.

Boat Rats Tip of the Week Tips Regarding Eye Splices. Nov 11 2012 8. Hi I have also followed the advice and made up my own whisker pole.

Used the link from Graham and bought the end fittings from Sailboat. Very efficient service and they were about 16 inc postage. Local riggers had a length of alloy pole approx 15 and I put it together today.