Wisker Pole

[Leonard Lookner]

My existing whisker pole seems to be jammed and try as I might, I can't free it. Perhaps there is someone who might know the magic of freeing these things, Forespar says not to use any lubricants.
Does anyone have recommendations for a whisker pole that works well for them and perhaps the measurements for one on a C.D. 36.
Thanks

[K_LeMans]

Leonard,
You didn't say specifically what pole you have, but I'm guessing its one of the Forespar line control poles?
You are correct that Forespar states that you should not use lubricants, because they just encourage the accumulation of salt deposits.
You also didn't say exactly what is jammed. I have had the end fittings seize up in the past due to salt accumulation. Had to do a lot of flushing with fresh water.
If it is the tube sections themselves, can you rotate (twist) the inner relative to the outer? If you can't twist, I would try soaking the whole pole in warm fresh water to dissolve any salt deposits between the two tubes. If you can twist/rotate the tubes, or just barely twist them, then you may have jammed the inner tube against the control line. If that is the case, the only way you can get at it is to remove the end fitting. This is not that big a deal as they are attached with pop rivets which are easy to drill out and easy to replace.
If that ends up to be the case (jammed against the control line) you probably have too much slack in the line and need to shorten it.
Good luck.

[Kevin Kaldenbach]

If memory serves me right, when we stopped by to look at Troys boat we chained one end of the pole to a beam in the roof of his shop and kept snatching it until it freed up.

[Jim Walsh]

I liberally douse mine with WD40 once each spring and give it a freshwater rinse a couple times each summer. I've not had it stick since.

[Steve Laume]

If Forespar cautions against lubricants I would think that would only be under normal conditions. A hot fresh water rinse should get rid of any salt build up but would not do much for corrosion. I believe I would go with the water rinse and then get some penetrating oil in there. Better to free things up gently, rather than gall them up with excessive force. Once things are freed up you could wipe off all the oil.

A light oil coating as Jim suggested would be far better than a frozen up pole. Even if the manufacturer doesn't recommend it.

I have found that a good coating of wax has served me well, Steve.

[Dick Barthel]

nm