Want To Buy: Spinnaker or Whisker Pole - +/- 16 ft

[Jeanneau 45.2]

Want to buy spinnaker or whisker pole - +/- 16 ft. I'm located in Michigan. Will pay good money for the right pole.

[BozSail]

I have an adjustable pole, 9 1/2 to 13 1/2 feet, 2 1/2 inch diameter with hook clip ends to attach to an eye fitting. Let me know if you're interested.

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[maine50]

I have 2 spin poles 17ft 3 in long. Will sell one. It's either 3.5 or 4 in in diam with toggle type mast connection, jaw on outboard end. PM me if interested. Tim (in Ct)

[BozSail]

Sounds like Maine50's pole may be a better fit, and more heavy duty for your size boat.

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[roverhi]

Would be very leery of an adjustable whisker pole. Pretzeled the 12/22 adjustable pole on the cruise to Hawaii. No issues with the 3.5" 'penalty' spinnaker pole that I was lucky to have as a spare.

[Jeanneau 45.2]

Thanks everyone. Even though I'll never fly a symmetrical spinny and this pole is to be used for poling out my 150 and 135 gennys, the popular consensus is that whisker poles are prone to failure ... really true or just another one of those sea myths? Only reason I wanted a whisker versus a fixed pole was to shorten the pole when lifting my dingy onto the foredeck. Maine 50, I'll pm you. Happy new year to all. Alan

[roverhi]

The 3"/2.5" 12'-22' whisker pole bent the extended section in relatively light 8-10k winds running DDW poling out the 135 genoa. Pole was extended out to about 18'. Boat was a 35' CCA design with a relatively modest 13'8" 'J' measurement.

The next size up whisker pole had 3.5"/3" sections and could be extended out to 24' if you were brave. Doubt that that size pole would strong enough for a 45' boat if it was extended more than a few feet.. Don't know if they made/make larger diameter adjustable poles. Using carbon fiber on the extending portion of the pole might be stronger. I was not impressed with the robustness of line control gear to extend the pole when I disassembled the pole to replace the bent section. Basically it was a few pop rivets holding things together. The 135 genoa definitely set better with the whisker pole extended to 18' vice the 15' spinnaker pole.

[BozSail]

roverhi - Question: When your pole broke, were you using a tipping lift and a foreguy? Also, what was the make and model of the pole?

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[Robert Kriegel]

I have a two section pole, with spring loaded détente buttons on my Pearson 424. I believe it extends to 20/21' (I haven't measured it); is in acceptable condition. Will sell for $600. If you are interested, let me know, and I'll get information, measurements, photos, etc.
Bob K

[roverhi]

Originally Posted by BozSail

roverhi - Question: When your pole broke, were you using a tipping lift and a foreguy? Also, what was the make and model of the pole?

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I was single handing and had a topping lift and fore and aft guy on the pole. Made it easier to set the pole in position and then unfurl the genoa. Found I couldn't adjust the pole's extension if there was any tension on the pole. It was/is a line adjust pole. Used commercial tubing to replace the bent section that has slightly thicker walls so hope it will stand up better. Forester wanted a ridiculous amount of money to supply a stock replacement section. Think I paid around a $100 for a 20' length of the commercial tubing which was the shortest length I could buy.

[Jeanneau 45.2]

Roverhi's last post causes me to ask why don't I just make my pole? $200 for the pole, $400 total for both end fittings, and $100 in misc parts ... $700 out the door. Anyone done this or have any thoughts? Alan

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by Jeanneau 45.2

Roverhi's last post causes me to ask why don't I just make my pole? $200 for the pole, $400 total for both end fittings, and $100 in misc parts ... $700 out the door. Anyone done this or have any thoughts? Alan

Yep, BTDT on our previous boat after being dismasted and short of funds for replacement stuff. Don't remember the exact dollar amounts (and this was in Australia where things nautical are seriously dear) but the cost of my home made was way less than half of a "store bought" pole of the same size.

If you go this way, be sure to get the proper alloy aluminium... likely 6065 T4 or T6, or something of that sort. The softer alloys used for piping, etc, are not nearly as stiff, and could cause failure.

I share the doubts about collapsible poles, for I have seen a fair few bent ones over the years!

Jim

[Robert Kriegel]

I am located in Pensacola, FL; I think (naively??) that UPS/FedEx shouldn't be too much. They ship large objects all the time, and this is simply a ten foot (+/-) pole.
Bob K

[roverhi]

Long pieces, think it's over 8', can't be shipped via UPS/FedEx. Had to ship the offending pole when I bought it via truck freight and it was pricey considering the weight.

[Robert Kriegel]

I didn't consider the length, definitely over 8' (!); will call UPS out of curiousity tomorrow -
Bob K