Stabilize whisker pole without uphaul/downhaul

[Beagle123]

Any suggestions as to how to stabilize an 11 ft whisker pole for cruising without the need to attach uphaul/downhaul lines?

[bad.wabbit]

A uphaul/topping lift can be helpful in controlling the pole when you set it, but if there is enough wind, you may not need one. In lighter winds the weight of the pole can distort the sail. Any extra halyard up front can work in a pinch, but do beware of chafe.
I'm
For a downhill the lazy sheet can sometimes be made to work by leading it under a foredeck cleat.

[Beagle123]

Thanks bad wabbit...I want to avoid use of a halyard. I have seen some arrangement where a 45 degree angled stay is attached to the toe rail.
Colin

[barnakiel]

Weld it to the mast perhaps?

Otherwise you use one uphaul and one downhaul to stabilise the beast.

b.

[Beagle123]

The system I saw on a video looked like a 45 degree angled rigid stay running from aft to be attached to the pole at the clew of the sail ...with perhaps (difficult to see on the video) a vertical stay from the toe rail to the clew. I would want to easily detach both ends of the whisker pole.
Anyone recognize what I am trying (not very well !) to describe?

[roverhi]

Hard to see how you could stabilize the pole without a lift. Have set mine up with a topping lift, fore and after guys so pole is stabilized with a 3 point system. Set the pole up with the sail sheet in the jaw, then raise the sail and trim the pole to match the point of sail. Way easier to set and handle a poled out jib or spinnaker with the post stable in this manner when sailing solo.

[Beagle123]

Yes I use this 3 point approach when racing with spinnaker on another boat...I am looking for somethink simpler when on a run for long crusing downwind

[roverhi]

How's 2,200 miles with the genoa poled out. You've got plenty of time to set up the pole when cruising. Chafe is an issue on the headsail sheet in the pole jaws. With the pole fixed in position with a 3 point system no problem easing the sheet a bit every day to change the wear point. Got lazy and didn't change the sheet position for a couple of days and suffered significant wear on the sheet.

Racers normally use a lift to keep the pole from hauling down the clew of the sail in lighter conditions and no pole guys. The spinnaker sheet positions the pole. Okay for short runs but not for long distance sailing.

[newhaul]

Sounds like you are talking about a spinnaker pole and not a whisker pole.

[newhaul]

Telescoping Whisker Pole 53 to 93 Latch/Latch | APS

[Beagle123]

Originally Posted by newhaul

Sounds like you are talking about a spinnaker pole and not a whisker pole.

Thanks newhaul..yes I was talking about spinnaker set when racing ...but I am interested in stabilizing a whisker pole when cruising.

The whisker pole is an extending pole (6 ft to 11.5 ft) ....so I am unsure how to attach guys and an uphaul as was suggested in the earlier thread ..is everything attached at the point where the whisker pole jaws grasps the clew?

Thanks for your thoughts..

[Tessellate]

Are you asking for offshore sailing, or coastal? It depends on the conditions, but I've found downhaul seems mostly unnecessary with my whisker pole, and uphaul (topping lift) with a halyard works fine. Although I could get by even without the uphaul (topping lift) when coastal cruising in relatively flat water.

Here's my interpretation of the main purposes (and disadvantages of doing without) each:

• topping lift - if you don't use this, the pole will sag and tighten the leech in light wind. Not a big deal in higher wind because the wind will fill the sail and overcome the weight of the pole, raising the clew.
• foreguy (downhaul + forward tension) - if you don't use this, you can't flatten the genoa if the winds pick up, and might decide to furl / takedown. Secondly, in light winds or rolly waves, lacking the ability to pull the pole forward, it may occasionally clang against your forward lower shroud. Not an issue if winds are high enough to keep the sail filled.
• after guy - obviously you need this, but typically it is the genoa sheet. (or something slightly fancier)

You may want to take a look at this article: Sailing with a whisker pole

[newhaul]

I use my whisker pole with my 130% jib .using the windward sheet for control just like I would control the sail when not using the pole. Whisker poles are not designed to use up hauls or down hauls. Dont use a whisker pole as a spinnaker pole. That is what a spinnaker pole is for
Google how to use a whisker pole . There is plenty of info on the subject
http://www.google.com/search?redir_e...whisker%20pole

[MarkSF]

The extending Forespar whisker poles have a wire loop at the outer end. The intention is that you attach a halyard (or whatever) at this point. My understanding is that the halyard is just there to support the pole and prevent the weight of the pole from distorting the shape of the jib.

The control is done by the sheets.

[Beagle123]

Thanks everyone I think I have the answers I need and additional info. This is my first time using the site and I appreciate all the helpful advice