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Whisker pole length.

Nth

New Member
I got my hands on some aluminum tubing and want to build a whisker pole to help my 382's running performance. It'll be a fixed length so wanted to hear from anyone that's poled out their genoas. What length would you suggest? Thanks!
 
Is it the right type of tubing? Otherwise it might be too heavy. The optimal length will depend on the size of the sail, the "J" dimension of your rig is the max length allowed if racing.
 
We use a lock-button type whiskerpole. It stores on deck, in the collapsed state, when not in use. It would be way too long to store on deck in it's open state. Next trip out to the yard I'll take some measurements. Here are some photos of the pole mounted on deck.

Jim
 

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Is it the right type of tubing? Otherwise it might be too heavy. The optimal length will depend on the size of the sail, the "J" dimension of your rig is the max length allowed if racing.
It's a 300X (3003 I think) grade Al tube with ~1/8" side walls. I can lift the whole 30' stick with one arm so not worried about weight. My J measurement is 16', I'll keep it in mind but the pole Jim has has me reconsidering making it telescoping. If it needs to be over 20' then I'll have to make it collapsible.
 
I have a line control telescoping pole stored on the front of the mast. Probably something like 16.5' collapsed, 25' extended. (In collapsed state it is longer than the original design because of repairs after I bent the inner tubing 90 degrees after making a stupid rigging mistake.) More than I need, but for the cruising chute, I extend it quite a ways. As Jose said, a spinnaker pole, under the rules, would be our J measurement: 16.25. What % is your genoa. Mine is 130% and I extend the pole several feet to use it. Trying to build a telescoping pole could be quite complex. Good luck.
 
I got out to the boatyard today and measured the whiskerpole on deck. The distance from chock to chock with the pole collapsed is 10' - 4". With the pole extended it measures 16' to 17' depending which lock button position is selected. I always use the second position, 16', to allow for a bit of overlap of the inside and outside sections. When sailing wing & wing the 16' of pole is just right to hold out my 130% genoa. My pole originally went out to over 18' but lost almost 2' of length to a mishap of crossing a ferry boat wake and having the pole buckle near the outboard end. The lock button style pole was with the boat when we purchased her. After losing much skin from my fingers over the years working the lock buttons, I do not recommend this style of pole. The line control pole seem to be safer to use and handle.

Jim
 
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