Whisker pole sailing

[@abatesnz]

A better preventer doesn't end at the for'ard cleat but uses a longer rope to come back from that cleat to a winch in the cockpit. This can be released if the wind suddenly swings round past the leech of the mainsail, preventing a broach. Also, if your spinnaker boom (or whisker pole) is heavy enough, you might be able to get away with just a topping lift on a light day, and no spinnaker boom downhaul. That downhaul provides important control on a heavy weather day. Great tip on using the vang to prevent chafe while allowing the boom to be pushed out further. I'd only ever thought of it providing better sail shape on the run, but what you say is true.

[@richardanderson4916]

Start off with a picture of cat awesomeness.👍 He looks super-comfortable!

[@timkibodeaux2813]

Currently circumnavigating and use my pole as often as possible. We have a masthead sloop (two foresails) and I just bought a second pole this week for the jib. We plan to double pole across the S. Indian and the Atlantic this year Indian in a couple of weeks actually. Thank you for the video. The previous owner told me to sell the pole because it was worthless. Lol

[@svbluehighway]

And as the pole keeps the sail from oscillation it makes for less rolling. Enjoy the twin headsails, we did that on our westbound across the Atlantic and enjoyed a very balanced helm. The windvane steered with ease!

[@timkibodeaux2813]

@@svbluehighway oh, very cool. Looking forward to crossing the Atlantic sometime between Nov and Jan

[@Rogue_wave]

Very informative! Whenever I sail downwind my boom comes up and spills all my wind! I definitely need and boom vang. Also, I usually have my friend just lean against the jib when sailing wing on wing so that it stays put! Guess I need a whisker pole as well haha...

[@paulreid5143]

Hi BlueHighway! svCarmelita here. We're hull 297! A friend turned me on to your videos as we're preparing to do a hard dodger like y'all have. Based in No. Calif. now getting ready to go again this summer to the NW. Sail on!

[@wilber504]

what a beautiful cat to start the episode!

[@SOLDOZER]

A whisker pole is $2K? Looks like I need to start making whislker poles.

[@sailingnordicsun7199]

Just found your channel. I subscribed. Keep the videos coming.

[@glenswada]

great looking yacht thanks for the lesson appreciated

[@svbluehighway]

@ capedory there are some beckets (hope tha the right term) built into the jaw end to attach the fwd,aft and pole lift. Not too much problem with chafe as all corners of the jaw have soft edges. Also we make sure the sheet is tight so the sheet doesn't move too much and is kept captive.

[@arthursandomine5464]

Really cool video! So much better then motoring!

[@svbluehighway]

@ Kamau just watched the video again and I didn't see a full backwind. The sail was occulating a bit but a full backwind (although not a problem if it did it) would have made a large thud sound as if the jib had jibed. If my pole was the 2 feet longer it would have held the sail a little tighter and get even better performance. Also note that we were not dead donwind (180) and at about 120 degrees. That is as close as you can hold that wing on wing. We were very close to that point of backwinding. Always have the jib to the windward side (if edging up a little) as it is much faster, think like the old square riggers.

[@jamieyz]

You say that the pole is two feet too short? How do you determine that? Mine telescopes, how long should I make it? Reminds me of a bad Cialis commercial, but I do have a boat and want to use my whisker pole.

[@svbluehighway]

The “J” dimension is the distance from the mast to the fore stay (right along at the deck level). In racing rules the pole isn’t supposed to be longer than that. We don’t race so a pole at least as long (or longer) than the “J” is what you want. I finally found a used pole three feet longer than my old one. Much better as the sail really reaches out to grab more air. Enjoy the ride!

[@jamieyz]

@@svbluehighway thanks for taking the time to help me out!

[@svbluehighway]

It's 14' 4" the problem is when we are using our spinnaker. If reaching with the racing chute and the pole is eased all the way forward the chute chafes on the rolled up genoa.

[@ovip40]

Wonderful....when did you sail there, did you go straight across ?

[@IandiBoats]

It looked like your jib kept back-winding, was that just an occasional thing or did you get increased speed that way. Thanks.

[@TheCapedory]

I like your set up! Where do you attach the foreguy and afterguy at the pole end (on the jaws)? Is there enough room in the jaws to allow free movement of the jib halyard to prevent chafe?

[@sparkfly6631]

TheCapedory and

[@kevinderr440]

We use our wisker pole even on very short down wind legs (1 mile or even less) sailing on the Ohio River on our 30' Catalina and love it.

[@twidapate]

I notice John Kretschmer's doesn't use a foreguy or aftguy when deploying a whisker pole. Using a Whisker Pole

[@dougcook914]

You say your whisker pole is 2' too short. How long is it?

[@tincoffin]

How do you work out the length ? I read that a whisker pole should be about 1.2 "J" but I have no idea what "J" means.

[@PaulBKal]

J is the distance between the front of the mast at the deck and the forestay where it attaches to its chainplate

[@tincoffin]

@@PaulBKal Thanks for that :)

[@maddog519ca]

I love sailing

[@otm646]

Why not just cut it and have the extra length welded in? It won't most you more than $100

[@rodwilliam3890]

Your jib backing up