what whisker pole to get?

[edithcollins]

So, in the race this past weekend, we were 3rd to the weather mark behind a couple of J boats and got left behind going down wind.  We do not have a whisker pole, and my crew decided that we needed one.  My comment was "when I get an extra $1,500.00 I have no other use for..."

Are there other options besides the forespar telescoping model?  Anyone have a used one they don't want?
Thanks!
Edith

[Captain Bri]

Congratulations on the windward leg, impressive in the 323! I have been looking around too, for a telescoping pole, and it seems Forespar has a corner on the market.  It is nice to be able to adjust to match the foot of different sails. 

[edithcollins]

The best price I have seen is from Layline.  If I get it shipped to the club, it saves about $100 on shipping because it is a business. Go figure.
Now the question is  do I want tires for my car or a whisker pole?

[edithcollins]

I will pay extra not to have to convert metric to imperial!

[selene]

Keep your eye on Craig's List - it is amazing what comes up there. A friend got a nice pole for his Islander 28, about $200.

Of course, I never get that kind of break....

And please share your secrets on windward legs.  I always get savaged! Unless it is a bit choppy, those J boats are very light :-)

[Captain Bri]

Took a closer look at Seldén and found one of the best rigging guides I have seen for all things "standing".  I attached a copy of their whisker pole specs.

The Selden Telescopic pole seems more affordable from Layline. It appears that Art No. 072-072-61 would be appropriate for the P323. The optimal length is based on your Genoa foot length. Of course you would want to confirm with the dealer/manufacturer. Here is what I calculated in feet (rounded):

• 2.8" dia OD
• 9.68' minimum length
• 13.78' length for heavy air conditions
• 17.22' length for light air conditions

Another thought for downwind performance with the mainsail --  vang tension will keep the boom from lifting up, which loses power due to twist. Trim vang to keep top batten parallel to the boom.

And please share your secrets on windward legs.  I always get savaged! Unless it is a bit choppy, those J boats are very light :-)

Its all about VMG (but chop can help even things out). Short list:

• Start on time at full speed
• Stay in clear air
• Sail in phase (with the shifts)
• Sail mostly on the lifted tack (tack on headers)

Keep your eye on Craig's List - it is amazing what comes up there.

Yes it is.  Just this week I picked up a free Laser with two virtually new racing sails. It is missing the mast but it gives me new sails and two hulls to see which is faster.

Fair Sails!

[edithcollins]

No vang yet either.  PO was very much a cruiser, which is fine, but we do race.

[Captain Bri]

A vang is a necessary upgrade, my boat did not have one either.

Just wanted to show the Forespar pole too. I have been considering mounting the pole on the mast as demonstrated on their Website.

[Captain Bri]

Sorry to beat to windward, but I love this stuff...

If you are lucky enough to have a nice Gennaker or Asymmetrical there is a bowsprit kit that would attach nicely to our anchor platform.  You would sail faster but not as deep - it takes a while to get used to the angles as more gybes are required. It is possible to do wing-on-wing but could be a little tricky as it may require a pole to hold her steady.  Seldén Bowprit Kit - Art No. 075-075-70

[edithcollins]

cool,
That would knock me out of our "cruising fleet" for sure! It would be very fun though!

[edithcollins]

A vang is a necessary upgrade, my boat did not have one either.

Just wanted to show the Forespar pole too. I have been considering mounting the pole on the mast as demonstrated on their Website.

Thanks Sea Fever!
BTW, I judged an Opti regatta at Camp Sea Gull this Summer.  What a wonderful part of the world!!!
You are very fortunate to live in such a lovely part of the world!

[selene]

Garhauer vang - you'll never look back.

As I mentioned in an earlier thread, I also replaced the traveller with a new Garhauer setup.  The traveller significantly improved my ability to trim the sails - as the original one was so stiff (age, and not enough mechanical advantage) as to be unusable.

And the boom vang is also easy to use, turning adjustments into a pleasure.

Garhauer makes very high quality marine hardware at very reasonable prices. If you have not yet discovered them they are worth a visit:
http://garhauermarine.com/

[Alma]

+1 on Garhauer Vang. Mine is over ten years old and is still as new. Another upside is supporting the boom should you forget the topping lift when lowering the main.

[edithcollins]

I discovered Garhauer when I broke the Schaefer genoa car in a blow.  Coming from the racing world, I had never heard of them.  The friend who loaned me a car for the next day's race, turned me onto them. They are a bargain at twice the price! That is the vang we want.  I need to look into moving the hatch, etc.
Husband wants the pole first...

Next question about the whisker pole; do y'all have the pad eye on a movable car on a track like you would a spinnaker, or do you have a fixed pad eye?
I know which forespar pole to get, but don't know the part numbers for the other stuff. Also, the stanchion mounted pole storage looks great.  I need to check the other thread for comments on that.
Thanks!

[Captain Bri]

Mine has a ring car, presumably from the factory (see where halyard shackle is attached).
 

If you do not have a track on your mast you will need to install one to accommodate an adjustable ring car. Forespar recommends Ring Car RC-125 (331000) with 1 1/4" T-Track (339007) and end stops MS-125 (339009). If I had to install a new track and car I would consider going with a mast-mounted pole for ease of deployment. It would require a longer track and different attachment hardware and rigging instead of a ring car.