How to use whisker pole?

[Rich Plumb]

The whisker pole that I fabricated from a boat hook always worked well when running down wind with the Genoa, on my 26X. If you search the mods section for "Whisker Pole" you'll find it.

~~~~~~~~~~~_/)~~~~~~~~~~~
Rich Plumb, Covington WA
S/V Chieftain, Morgan 462

[c130king]

I don't use a pole...but I would like to get one someday.

However, I have done a good bit of wing-on-wing now and I find it is easier (without a pole) to keep the main on the windward side (165-180 degrees off the wing) and let the genoa out to the downwind side. Of course you have to be careful of the accidental gybe...and a good preventer set-up (which I also don't have yet) can assist with that issue.

But I haven't done this in winds over about 12 knots yet. Just have to keep my eye on the main and if I see it start to sag (preparing to gybe) I just crank the wheel towards the Genoa to re-fill the main...then settle down to my course again. Sometimes on the river if it is not wide enough to "tack" downwind this is the best option to keep sailing.

No passengers, I am behind the wheel...so minimal worries about the accidental gybe and the boom swing...but I still try to keep it from happening.

I love talking about sailing...but I miss my boat.

Cheers,
Jim

[Hamin' X]

For those who don't know, a properly poled headsail can be flown on the opposite tack (theoretically flown backwinded) though it won't be backwinded when poled properly. This is a great technique if you're sailing say 165-170 degrees wing-on-wing. The mainsail will be flown normally on the leeward side. A preventer is crucial in my opinion. The poled jib/genoa will be on the windward side. The pole needs to be long enough to push the clew forward so as the foot is angling slightly to the bow. This will allow the sail to draw air, even thought it's on the windward side. Look at it as a wing extension of the mainsail. I hope this makes some sense. The technique is called Sailing by the Lee. I tried it several times, particualarly when too lazy to deal with the spinnaker. It worked quite well.

Leon

Maybe I am not understanding what you are saying, Leon. To me, "By the Lee", is when the wind is coming across the boat form the same side as the main is on. I agree that a preventer is good practice when running, as even minor wave/swell action can place you by the lee and induce an accidental jibe.

~Rich

[Don T]

Hello,
When I'm using the pole I put the genoa on the downwind side. Since the wind on the Columbia is rarely straight up the channel. This allows me to purposely jibe to a broad reach to get back to the other side of the river. The lower Columbia curves south so the westerlies stay on the same side the whole way. Makes for an afternoon sail with no futzing with the pole, just set and go. That being said the last time we were out we did the lazy thing and unfurled the genoa alone, no pole. We cruised along at 2 to 4 kts SOG against the current.

[delevi]

Jim,

Living dangerously! The teqnique can work this way, but running your main on the windward side, without a preventer, even in 12 knots can end badly. If you're actualling getting 12 knots apparent wind, your true wind is more like 15-18 knots. Careful out there my friend.

Rich,

I'm not exactly sure why it's called "sailing by the lee." I read about it for the first time on this site. Frank C was the author. Since then, I read similar posts on other web sites and Sail magazine. I tried it, and it wokred well. Advantage here compared to what Jim is doing is reducing the risk of accidental gybe, plus both sails draw much better in this configuration. The main, obviously will be more efficient on the leeward side vs windward where it's on the threshold of gybing. The genoa, since it isn't limited by the rig like the mainsail, can be positioned with the clew forward of the wind,(pushed by the pole) even though it's flying on the windward side. The pole will need to be extended around its full 12' span to achieve this. Much easier with jib vs. genny (less pole length needed.) Last time I did this, a friend wouldn't believe the genny wouldn't backwind so I domonstrated. The elctric windvane showed 150 degrees before the genny was looking poorly. 160 degrees easy and efficient. If you have a pole and preventer, try it. You'll like it

Leon

[c130king]

Nah, not really. The winds were not that high. And like I said...no pax, and I am sitting behind helm so no danger to me. I do have to pay close attention to my heading and the wind.

But this allowed me to sail downwind which was blowing pretty much straight up the river...a long straight stretch. I could go wing-on-wing, about 170 degrees off the wind, for 15-20 minutes until I got close to one side. Then turn towards the Genoa, get about 150 degrees off the wind, but the other side. The Genoa would cross over and I would sail on a broad run for 15-20 minutes to work my way back towards the other side of the River. And then go back to wing-on-wing.

I sailed for over an hour this way and never had to gybe or tack. The main stayed out on the starboard side for me the whole time.

It worked like a champ. But you have to pay close attention and watch for signs that the main is starting to gybe...just turn towards the Genoa and get the main to fill up again.

I had a plan to work on a preventer set up using my Genoa cars but on the jib (cabin top) tracks but it didn't work...not enough angle. So I am going to get some blocks and attach to them to the base of the stanchions abeam the mast...that should give me the angle to keep the boom from swinging across.

It's a slight risk. But it was a blast.

Slightly changing the subject...

When you guys sail downwind and have the main way out...do you have issues with it rubbing on the spreaders? And if so, do you pull the boom vang down as tight as you can get it to keep the main from sagging out on the spreader?

I do, in fact I almost always have the boom vang as tight as I can get it...except when raising the main. Probably loose a little performance at times...but big whoop.

Jim

[nemo]

In the Mods section, Richard Plumb suggests mounting the mast ring 41" up from base. That's on an X.

What is the recommended height of the Mast Ring,from base, on an M? Same?

I plan to make a Whisker pole - is 6' - 12' enough for a 100% jib?

thanks

[bubba]

We use our West Marine extendiable boat hook with attachments on both ends. We bought at West Marinea kit with one end having a wisker pole spring clip that fastens to the kit provided loop 41 inches up the mast and the hook end of the boat hook has a paint roller handle screwed on to the pole with the roller metal stim cut so as to leave a straight 6 inches or so to push thru our 110 stock jib sail gromet. So far this has worked great and our boat hook is also the wisker pole. We also use the boat hook to screw on a 'Happy Hooker' to hook to bouy's when we need it. We think the more jobs each device on our boat does the less we have to carry out sailing. Be carefull to buy the right size pole and check the diameter of the fittings in the kit.

[nemo]

Bubba,
How long is your boat hook pole? I have one but it's likely too short for a whisker too - it's only 8' long fully extended. thanks

[Kelly Hanson East]

Nemo - the Forespar 6-12 works with the 150 genny on an although it is just a bit short. I confess that I stuck with it since the next jump up in size is a ridiculous price jump, like 2x.

The 6-12 should be great with a 100 jib.

That lesson about apparent wind is often learned hard while running - my second season I was flying up the Hudson on rare south wind with all my cloth out, running 6 kts, then turned to gather in my sails...with full cloth, I rounded up viciously and ended up in the cockpit holdng onto to 2 6 year olds while we went through the sleigh ride of rounding up, 35-40 degree heel, blow down wind, round up, repeat.....I finally got the genny sheets and mainsheet lose with my fourth hands ...(one for each young girl, one for the boat, and the fourth hand for work)

[Currie]

That lesson about apparent wind is often learned hard while running - my second season I was flying up the Hudson on rare south wind with all my cloth out, running 6 kts, then turned to gather in my sails...with full cloth, I rounded up viciously and ended up in the cockpit holdng onto to 2 6 year olds while we went through the sleigh ride of rounding up, 35-40 degree heel, blow down wind, round up, repeat.....I finally got the genny sheets and mainsheet lose with my fourth hands ...(one for each young girl, one for the boat, and the fourth hand for work)

Ditto.

- did that exact thing my first time out single-handing my Mac. True wind was 8 knots when I went out and about 18 knots when I came in.

"Hmm that's strange - how can I be doing 6 knots running in an 8 knot wind? - let me just head-up here a little - whooooa!!" :-S

Fun.

[mikelinmon]

Wisker pole and learning and trial and error. The Forespar is made of aluminum with some internal parts that will stick and weld themselves together once exposed to saltwater. A P.O.S. in that respect. The Forespar ADJ 6-12 is too weak and will break for sure on a Mac. It is also too short. The correct one is the next size up ADJ 8-16 or something like that. It will stick like it was welded in short order, it won't break and costs much more, it will also fall in the water and sink. The cheaper one won't fall in so quickly, it just breaks. Most use the ADJ 6-12, live with the weakness, too short and be glad because of all the $$ saved, plus it won't fall in so quickly. In addition, being too weak, it is possible to unfreeze it when it sticks. i think I'm going to invent a good wisker pole. Just need a new unknown material, cheap, strong, light and lives in saltwater.
Mike Inmon

[Kelly Hanson East]

Just a simple two 6 foot pieces that thread (no fancy telescope to freeze up) would be a decent solution for most Macs, imho

Mike is absolutely right about the forespar in salt - I used mine once in salt and spent the weekend freeing it up.

In fresh, its great.

[DaveB]

I use a quick release telescopeing Wisker pole. I modified it with a quick release line down the pole.
Telescoping is good as it will release on very heavy gusts and allows shorting the pole when furling in headsail (very important). I wing to wing when apparent wind is below 20 knots. After that the Pole comes in (most of the time).
One thing I learned about Winging it is the moment you feel you need to take out the pole do it, much more sooner than reefing. May save you from a Knock down or wrap around headstay and possable broken headstay and wiskerpole in a Jamb.
Dave

Ok I have had my boat for almost 2 years I figured out how to use everything that came with it and have done many modifications however there are 2 things I need help with. Trust me this is hard for me because I am old fashion and believe real men don’t ask for directions, that is why it has taken be 2 years to ask these questions see photos below.

Where does the pointy end of this whisker pole go? There is no track or do-hicky thingy of any kind on my mast to accommodate it in anyway. If I stick it in the Sail loop it just falls out. This other end on picture below doesn’t fit on a plastic loop on my mast and I have seen pictures on the net where there were 2 ends like this one, one being on the sail and other on mast but mine has pointy thing on other end what gives.

Lastly I have used my cruising spinnaker that came with my 26X however I not completely sure I am connecting it right from the picture below you see a plastic cup thing go around the head furler and it is held in place by a small D-Ring cable not sure if that cable is for that or was just used to hold anchor down while traveling. Is there suppose to be a rope attached to the bottom of that cup instead?

Now if someone would fee free to post pictures on how to use the pole and comment on the spinnaker feel free to do so. I have spent 2 years looking on this sight, manufactures sites of the pole and spinnaker and to no avail. I can find wording on how to use it but the words don’t match the equipment so feel free to Barny Style it with picture. There I admit it; I need help on this one. Take that you stupid therapist!