Spinnaker Pole

[Lady B]

Hey all,

I have a Rawson 30, my spinnaker pole is currently stowed on deck mount, I don't like stepping around it when I go forward. I plan on doing open ocean sailing (circumnavigation). What would be the con's (if any) of mounting the pole on my mask? Thanks for your comments.

Marnie
S/V Lady B

[Paul Elliott]

The main con is weight aloft, which will affect stability and motion. Whether that is significant for you depends on the pole material (weight), and your particular boat. It's probably not a big deal, but I couldn't say for sure. I usually carry a spinnaker pole, or a whisker pole, on the mast, but my poles are carbon fiber and my boat is big and heavy so there's not much impact.

[Pauls]

There is a con to almost anything on a boat. Everything on a sailboat is a compromise. That said, storing the pole on the mast is very convenient and out of the way. The cons are a little higher weight (that is not very important), a little more windage, and the cost of installing the track and fittings on the mast necessary to manage the pole if you do not already have them.

Carrying the pole on the mast can be very convenient. The Pardeys have a chapter in one of their books - I think its The Capable Cruiser- on rigging up a pole on the mast for easy handling.

[cowlum]

Store it on the boom.

[Jim Cate]

In my experience, storing the pole anywhere but on the mast means that it will not be used much in a short handed cruising situation. IMO, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages for a cruiser. Setting it, even on a boat as large as ours, is an easy one man job. Wrestling it from the deck or boom can not be thus described!

Jim