Building a Carbon-Fiber Spinnaker Pole ?

[sneuman]

I have a heavy aluminum pole that is a bit unwieldy to handle. I have been thinking for some time about trying to work with carbon fiber.

Any thoughts on whether this is a really practical endeavor for an amateur?

If so, sources for carbon fiber mat and/or resin ...?

[djmarchand]

Making your own pole is likely to be heavier than the aluminum one you have. Also carbon fiber layup requires an oven to cure properly,

Check out Forespar, they sell bare pole stock. Look at a finished pole to follow their attachment details.

David

[Dave]

Learning to work with carbon fiber is well worth the time and effort. There are some very high quality room temp curing epoxies made for the aerospace industries that work well with carbon. But... building tubes/spars is definitely not the place to start. Getting the mandrel out is a skill/machinery combo that earns the pros every cent they charge.

Dave

[sneuman]

Thanks, Dave and dj. It's just a thought, that's all - apparently, not a well formed one. What do you suggest starting on? Is there a readily available "kit"?

[GordMay]

Carbon-Fibre Spinnaker Poles:

Forespar ➥ Forespar Carbon Fiber Spinnaker Poles: Mauri Pro Sailing

Forte ➥ http://www.fortecarbon.com/downloads...icing_2008.pdf

Hall ➥ Carbon Spinnaker Poles

[sneuman]

Originally Posted by GordMay

Carbon-Fibre Spinnaker Poles:

Forespar ➥ Forespar Carbon Fiber Spinnaker Poles: Mauri Pro Sailing

Forte ➥ http://www.fortecarbon.com/downloads...icing_2008.pdf

Hall ➥ Carbon Spinnaker Poles

too rich for my blood.

[Jesse]

My undrestanding is that carbon fibre isn't at it's best under compression loads. And I know there are some very expensive ones on the market, has this material been improved or is this a poor aplication of a great product?

[sneuman]

I would think a spinnaker pole would experience much less in the way of compression loads than in breaking loads, if that is the correct term.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by sneuman

I would think a spinnaker pole would experience much less in the way of compression loads than in breaking loads, if that is the correct term.

Bending or flexural loading?

[Pete the Cat]

I got rid of my sewer pipe spin pole 10 years ago in favor of a carbon fiber pole--and cannot believe I put up with all that bulk and danger (you gotta admit that putting up a pole on a pitching deck is one of the more dangerous things you do...) for all those years. In addition to it being lighter, the end fittings are composite and the jaws do not crud up and lock like the old aluminum and steel piston arrangement used to. I looked into the option of building my own at the time and had Forespar make the whole thing because it was not really a lot more than the parts. They made and assembled the bridles and release lines from some fiber that has stood up to the sun and looks great after 10 years. Works great. One of the 5 best improvements to my boat. By the way--it has been slammed against the forestay more times than I care to relate, buried in the water a few times at high speed, and I have seen no sign of any problem with cracking or anything. I am a single hander and IMHO it is a requirement for that if you are going to fly a chute or even for winging out the jenny with a pole.

[speciald@ocens.]

Look around and see if blank tubing is avaialble. Problem is you will still need lightweight end fittins. I doubt that you will be able to build a pole from scrach with the strength and weight of a commericially built pole.