Can you use a whisker pole for a spinnaker?
Many people are not aware that sail manufacturers recommend the use of a whisker pole with asymmetric spinnakers when sailing dead downwind. The pole can be placed on either the windward side attaching to the tack or on the leeward side attaching to the clew.
What is the difference between a spinnaker pole and a whisker pole?
Any pole used in trimming a spinnaker is a spinnaker pole, and it is rated as such with its overall length declared as ‘SPL’. A whisker pole is a pole used to wing out headsails only, and its length is limited to not more than 1.1 * ‘J’.
What is a whisker pole used for?
Whisker poles are used to “wing out” the jib when sailing downwind. Sailors who have experienced downwind sailing without one can appreciate the value of being able to stabilize the jib, enabling the sail to work more efficiently and without the noise of the sail flopping in the wind and waves.
Do you need a spinnaker pole?
It’s important to understand that the pole is boosting the performance of the spinnaker, it’s not absolutely necessary in order for the spinnaker to work and hence when there is a situation where the pole is not quite ready to go it’s often better to get the Spinnaker hoisted and flying first and then sort out the pole …
How do you jibe a whisker pole?
The safest and easiest way to jibe a whisker pole is to furl the headsail first, then retract the pole so you can swap sheets at the outboard end and reset the pole on the opposite side. Then unfurl the headsail on the new tack.
How do you measure a whisker pole?
A whisker pole should be approxi- mately as long as the foot of the sail you intend to pole out. * Max available SPL with composite end fittings, attached to a fixed mast ring. If the pole is to be “Dip Gybe”, max available SPL is increased by 165 mm.
How long should my spinnaker pole be?
Spinnaker Pole Length is normally equal to the “J” Dimension of the boat, but some classes allow for a longer Pole, the maximum length usually being expressed as a percentage of “J” (e.g., 110%). A Reaching Strut is used in conjunction with a Spinnaker Pole.
What is a reaching strut?
It is a reaching strut that diverts jib outside the lifelines to open the slot between the main and the jib. It also allows the main to be eased without getting backwinded. Sheeting the jib with the strut allows the jib to stay effective at wider wind angles.
Do I need a spinnaker pole?
What is the difference between a whisker pole and a spinnaker pole?
Whisker poles are sized to match the size of the foot of the sail that they are working, while spinnaker poles are sized to match the distance from the mast to the bow, also known as the boat’s “J” dimension. Because of this, Whisker Poles tend to be significantly longer than spinnaker poles for the same boat.
Which way up does a spinnaker pole go?
Position the spinnaker pole so that the out-board end of the pole is over the side of the boat that will be the windward side when the spinnaker is hoisted.
How do you fly a spinnaker without a pole?
Best is to do the hoist on a broad reach. Of course you can fly a spinnaker without a pole and without the TACKER, but bear in mind that a conventional / symmetrical spinnaker is designed to fly a couple of feet above the lifelines. Its foot (between the clew and the tack) should always be horizontal.
Is a whisker pole necessary?
A properly used whisker pole will allow the headsail to add considerable power and speed to downwind sailing. The key to a whisker pole’s success is that it allows the headsail to be projected out to weather, out of the mainsail’s shadow. It also stabilizes the clew of the headsail in choppy weather.
How long should your whisker pole be?
Whisker poles should be 100% of the foot of whichever headsail is being flown. Measure from the tack to the clew and the whisker pole should be this length.
How do you measure a spinnaker pole?
Spinnaker pole length: Rig the pole at a convenient height horizontally on the mast on the centreline of the boat. Ensuring that the pole is pulled forward to its maximum extension on the heel fitting, measure the distance from the front face of the mast to the extremity of the pole.
What is the significance of a boat’s J measurement in sizing a spinnaker pole?
End fittings and tubing are available separately for those who wish to assemble poles to their own specifications. The length of your spinnaker pole is determined by the yachts “J” measurement. This is roughly the straight line distance from the front of the mast at deck level to the headstay.