Whisker pole for cd31

[Keith]

Thanks Neil, I have used it to pole out the yankee for wing and wing and it slid back down the sheet when the wind slacked off so I put a knot in the sheet about 6 inches back from the clue and that seemed to do the trick. I'll play with it some more this year. I wonder why our PO's purchased a reaching strut instead of a wicker pole?

Keith

[Neil Gordon]

Thanks Neil, I have used it to pole out the yankee for wing and wing and it slid back down the sheet when the wind slacked off so I put a knot in the sheet about 6 inches back from the clue and that seemed to do the trick. I'll play with it some more this year. I wonder why our PO's purchased a reaching strut instead of a wicker pole?

Keith

A knot will reduce the strength of the line... Probably not an issue, but some sort of stopper like a Turks head might be better practice.

[David Morton]

I have used it to pole out the yankee for wing and wing and it slid back down the sheet when the wind slacked off

Might consider a topping lift for the pole. I use a spinnaker block at the masthead. A knot in the sheet would prevent furling up the headsail should the wind pipe up suddenly and could make things a little awkward.

[Keith]

Hi David,

I don't understand how a knot in the sheet would prevent furling the head sail. Mine furls just fine. The sheet only comes into play at the very end of the furling process on the last few turns where the sheet wraps around the sail.

Keith

[David Morton]

don't understand how a knot in the sheet would prevent furling the head sail.

I guess it would mean allowing the pole to swing forward with the clew as you furl and leaving a good part of the sail unfurled if the telescoped length of your pole is greater than your J length, as it is on mine. Or going up on the deck and taking down the pole. I was just considering the rare situation when you would need to furl the headsail urgently. A topping lift seems the more rigorous solution. I wonder how many of us using whisker poles have a topping lift rigged?

[Neil Gordon]

I wonder how many of us using whisker poles have a topping lift rigged?

I do. It's a great way to keep the pole on board when things otherwise want to go wrong. It's also easy to (temporarily) store the pole vertically on the mast.

[Keith]

David I see your point on reefing now.

I'm going to rig for a toping lift and give it a try. Since my mast is still on the deck it is a good time. I should be launching in a week or two.

Keith