using the mainsail boom instead of a whisker pole

[vpbarkley]

For downwind sailing using just the foresail, have you ever considered using the mainsail boom instead of a whisker pole? Ever seen anybody do this?

1. You add a snatch block to the end of the boom.
2. You run the jib sheet through the snatch block.
3. You sheet the boom so it is close to but not contacting the shrouds.
4. You rig a preventer, to keep the boom stationary.

The snatch block is the only new hardware you are adding to the boat.

This is much easier to rig than a whisker pole and it can easily be switched from side to side or straight back for docking.

Unlike a whisker pole, you don't have to stow it after downwind sailing.

Your thoughts please.

[barnakiel]

However the clew of the fore sail will be free to float by the distance of the unsupported sheet. This is very sub-optimal.


Still, lacking a proper LONG downwind pole, one can do.


You will notice, too, that running downwind with just one jib and no main (and no other jib either) is DEAD SLOW.


Still, if that's what you want, one can.


We carry an extra long (extended) pole - in a boat with J=3, our pole is 4.5. And this is what we plug into the jib downwind (with the main on the other side. This is still sub-optimal, but this is what we have, so this is what we use.


b.

[Tin Tin]

Might hit waves more easily on rolls.