Rigging a Whisker Pole

[mpc7002]

I have read that you should never rig a whisker pole to the clew or to the bowline of the jib/genoa. What do i connect it to then?

[Hud3]

Just attach it to the jib sheet and slide it out 'til it stops at the clew. Then attach it to the mast fitting and winch in the sheet until it's set properly.

[MarkJ]

I have a dedicated sheet for the poled genoa. It has a stop knot, a figure of 8, in it about 50cms from the end. I then pass the end through the clew and tie a bowline close to the figue 8. The pole then snaps on so it rests againt the figure 8 knot.

I could never undo that knot now as its too compressed.

I would use a snap shcackle but don't have any

Maybe someone has a better way. I'm not too happy with my system yet.

Mark

[YourOldNemesis]

The pole should get held in place by the sheet, but if you're paranoid about it coming sternwards, then attach a line to the sheet end and take it forwards to a cleat.

[Hud3]

Running your jibsheet traveler car forward helps, too.

[Ziggy]

From Forespar's whisker pole FAQ:

The jib sheet should be set thru the end fitting without any twist or loops around the end of the pole. Do not attempt to set the end fitting jaws directly into the clew of the sail (the grommet or eye of the sail itself). This will cause a twist in the sail which could damage the end fitting and sail as well. The sheet should run freely thru the end fitting. Do not attach it to the bowline at the jib clew. The reason is that if you need to turn the boat in an emergency or to avoid an object in the water, the sail must be allowed to blow out around the headstay. If the sheet is not allowed to run freely thru the end fitting, the pole could be forced against the stay and bent.

[Hydra]

Without being paranoid, I always fasten the topping lift to support the weigth of the pole, to give a better shape to the jib, and the downhaul to the pole because in a seaway, it went back a few times against the shrouds.

Alain

[Sahara]

The sheet should be free to run thru the pole end. I use a topping lift to support the pole end and a fore guy to hold the end down and forward. The sheet also serves as an afterguy, with the pole pretty much held against the knot in the sheet. The pole doesn't bounce this way. No complaints.

[rhumbunctious]

(hopefully this thread is not too dead...)

I've wondered whether the common guidance to attach the whisker pole to the sheet and not the clew directly is specifically due to the common use of roller furling, such that if attached to the sheet, one can furl the headsail without touching the pole setup.

But if one has hank on foresails, why wouldn't one just attach the pole directly to the clew and eliminate the need for fore/aft lines or (if the pole is light enough) a topping lift?

[nigel1]

Post number 6 should answer your question.
Whereabouts in the Baltic are you at the moment, I'm working between Finland and Estonia, at 59 13N, 21 06E

[rhumbunctious]

Originally Posted by nigel1

Post number 6 should answer your question.
Whereabouts in the Baltic are you at the moment, I'm working between Finland and Estonia, at 59 13N, 21 06E

Home marina is in southern Finland, Espoo, 60˚08.1’ N - 24˚43.6’ E though heading out early tomorrow morning for a week or so of cruising in the archipelago -- no firm plans, will decide where to go as the trip progresses.

[speakeasy]

Running a double headsail rig downwind it is easy to reef, just ease the sheets and roll up the sails. Here's a look at the whisker pole rigging.

[virginia boy]

Originally Posted by speakeasy

Running a double headsail rig downwind it is easy to reef, just ease the sheets and roll up the sails. Here's a look at the whisker pole rigging.

Forgive me for drifting off subject but I've never seen a mast like that. Where can I learn more about it?

[gjordan]

Go back to post #2 and think about what would happen if you put the sheet into the pole and then try to put the pole onto the mast fitting. Good Luck! That is a perfect way to get fingers crushed, ribs broken, teeth knocked out, etc. Even in light conditions a sail flapping has a lot of force, and to have an unrestrained pole attached to it makes it like an arrow on a string . Put the pole on the mast first, then put the sheet in. You may have to slack the sheet, or pull on the lazy sheet to get things close, but you wont have a 12 foot spear trying to impale you._______Grant.

[speakeasy]

Originally Posted by virginia boy

Forgive me for drifting off subject but I've never seen a mast like that. Where can I learn more about it?

I don't know where, but you could do searches for it. My buddy Brian built the boat, and the mast, boom and poles are all built the same way. I sailed with him to Hawaii last spring, and think it is a great idea. Less windage, lighter weight than glass and you can climb right up it. Plus, there are a lot of places to secure lines or what have you.