Whisker Pole Questions Checklist

Whisker Pole Questions Checklist

To help you get the correct information needed to properly size a whisker pole, please use this checklist. This will help you and your customers choose the proper style and sized whisker pole for the boat.
 

1. Length of boat__________________________________________________
2. Style (make, model)______________________________________________
3. Rig (masthead, ketch, cutter, schooner, etc.)__________________________
4. Size headsail to be used (100% jib, 150% genoa, etc.)__________________
5. Bow sprit on boat?
6. Yes)______________ No)___________________
7. Offshore, long distance blue water cruising? Yes)_________No)__________
8. 1-1/4" or 1-1/2" "T"-Track on mast already? Yes)_______No)____________
9. Will the pole be stored on the mast? Yes)___________No)________________
10. Foot dimension of headsail used (if known)____________________________

The whisker poles length needed, when flown conventionally, is 100% of the foot of the sail being used. Measure from the tack to the clew and you have the pole length needed for that sail. Telescoping poles should always have a reasonable overlap or safety margin. It is unwise to use any pole, fully extended, with large overlapping genoas in medium to heavy air. (15-18 Knots apparent and above.)

If you answered yes to questions #5 or #6, seriously consider going up one pole size for strength. If you answered no to #7, consider adding "T" track to the mast. This is much stronger than a single eye and allows adjustment of the inboard height of the pole. If you answered yes to question #8 you need to consider the vertical pole storage car option found on page 12 of the 2003 Forespar® catalog. These cars, sized based on outside diameter of the outer tube, along with a DC-2 (#300002) chock mounted on the mast, just above the boot, will facilitate vertical pole storage.

On smaller boats (up to 25’), a fixed mast eye may be sufficient on the forward centerline mast. The ADJ 4-8 and ADJ 6-12 poles come standard with a mast eye (PE-1). This eye only should be used with these poles. The HD 6-12 and ADJ 7-17 size poles require one of the S/S mast eyes PE-3-SF flat base (#400001) or PE-3-SC curved base (#400002) found on page 5 of the catalog for proper function (sold separately).

Never attempt to extend or retract any whisker pole under load. Furl the headsail or otherwise de-power the sail before setting or taking down any whisker pole.