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Ensign Sailing Forum

Whisker Pole
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Sorry about the late contribution, but I finally remembered to note which whisker poll we use.  It's a Forespar, Part # 406000, Model ADJ 6-12, twist-lock.  After some manual trial and error, I positioned the padeye, which comes with the pole, about 20" up the mast. We've had it for eight or nine years, and it works quite well.  It came with latch fittings on each end and also a spike to change out if desired.  I keep threatening to do just that because I've found a spike to be easier to set and of course release, and it stays in place unless there's some human error involved. But the outboard latch remains on the pole nonetheless Just checked Defender and the 406000 lists for $132.99, but the one with latch fittings on each end, now identified as the 406100, lists for $140.99.  It's light, it works well, and it stows easily under a rail.



Steve Mohr, #220
Too Too Oh!
John let me borrow his whisker pole for the Texas 200 on the ICW. It was a joy to have while running and broad reaching in gusty winds. It was the closest thing to cruise control I’ve experienced in sailing. 
I highly recommend one for everyone

I will have to repair the jaw as one side broke. The pole was still useable. Thanks again John!

Calvin
Black Opal 1539

On Wed, Jul 25, 2018 at 5:39 PM Ensign Sailing Forum <ensignsailing@ensignclass.com> wrote:
Vic 

I made one.
I used a 1” dia aluminium tube the required length.
At the clew end I insert a wooden dowel and secured it with two crews through the side of tube.
At the mast end I fabricated two “ Y” pieces of 1/2” plywood using a saber saw and bolted the two pieces (together) to the side of the tube.

The “jaws” fit up against the mast and are secured to mast with a short piece of shock cord with hooks.

A lot less expensive than the ones you described.

John C
#1029


Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone

On Wednesday, July 25, 2018, 2:40 PM, Ensign Sailing Forum <ensignsailing@ensignclass.com> wrote:

Class rules allow the spinnaker pole to be used as a whisker pole, and also allow a separate whisker pole as long as it is only used with the jib and is no longer than the spinnaker pole.

I am considering the purchase of a whisker pole to be used when I don't have enough crew to set the spinnaker. My spinnaker pole is too too heavy for use as a whisker pole, and has latches on both ends, which makes it hard to connect to the clew of the jib.

Forespar makes two twist-lock whisker poles that seem suitable: the Model 600442, which is 1" in diameter and can be adjusted from 53 inches to 93 inches; and the Model 600459, which is 1 1/4 inches in diameter and can be adjusted from 72 inches to 138 inches. Both have a latch on one end and a spike on the other. I'm leaning toward the larger one of these poles.

Does anyone here have experience with a whisker pole on their Ensign?

Vic Roberts
#2032

Thanks Bill.

 

Vic

#2032 - Journey

 

From: mailer@mail2.clubexpress.com <mailer@mail2.clubexpress.com> On Behalf Of Ensign Sailing Forum
Sent: Thursday, July 26, 2018 6:54 AM
To: vic@victorroberts.com
Subject: re: [Ensign Sailing] Whisker Pole <<$201746215616$>>

 

Vic,

A couple of thoughts.

1. If you are only going to use it for cruising you can make it as long as you like. The class length of 7'-6" is okay but admittedly short for a whisker pole.

2. You still want to use the pole lift with either pole to support the weight of the pole and keep the shape in the top of the jib. When setting the pole attach the pole lift first and let it support the weight as you hook up the sail and put it on the mast.

3. I know the design is to put the pole in the eye of the jib but we just put the sheet through the pole hook and it just stays there.

Conclusion, make the whisker pole as long as you want for cruising, otherwise you are spending a bunch of money for something you already have.

Bill Murphey
Chowder, #176
Fleet Captain
Fleet 63, Barnegat Bay, NJ

Vic,

A couple of thoughts.

1. If you are only going to use it for cruising you can make it as long as you like. The class length of 7'-6" is okay but admittedly short for a whisker pole.

2. You still want to use the pole lift with either pole to support the weight of the pole and keep the shape in the top of the jib. When setting the pole attach the pole lift first and let it support the weight as you hook up the sail and put it on the mast.

3. I know the design is to put the pole in the eye of the jib but we just put the sheet through the pole hook and it just stays there.

Conclusion, make the whisker pole as long as you want for cruising, otherwise you are spending a bunch of money for something you already have.

Bill Murphey
Chowder, #176
Fleet Captain
Fleet 63, Barnegat Bay, NJ

Thanks John.

 

Vic

 

From: mailer@mail2.clubexpress.com <mailer@mail2.clubexpress.com> On Behalf Of Ensign Sailing Forum
Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2018 6:39 PM
To: vic@victorroberts.com
Subject: re: [Ensign Sailing] Whisker Pole <<$201723889733$>>

 

Vic 

 

I made one.

I used a 1” dia aluminium tube the required length.

At the clew end I insert a wooden dowel and secured it with two crews through the side of tube.

At the mast end I fabricated two “ Y” pieces of 1/2” plywood using a saber saw and bolted the two pieces (together) to the side of the tube.

 

The “jaws” fit up against the mast and are secured to mast with a short piece of shock cord with hooks.

 

A lot less expensive than the ones you described.

 

John C

#1029


Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone

On Wednesday, July 25, 2018, 2:40 PM, Ensign Sailing Forum <ensignsailing@ensignclass.com> wrote:

Class rules allow the spinnaker pole to be used as a whisker pole, and also allow a separate whisker pole as long as it is only used with the jib and is no longer than the spinnaker pole.

I am considering the purchase of a whisker pole to be used when I don't have enough crew to set the spinnaker. My spinnaker pole is too too heavy for use as a whisker pole, and has latches on both ends, which makes it hard to connect to the clew of the jib.

Forespar makes two twist-lock whisker poles that seem suitable: the Model 600442, which is 1" in diameter and can be adjusted from 53 inches to 93 inches; and the Model 600459, which is 1 1/4 inches in diameter and can be adjusted from 72 inches to 138 inches. Both have a latch on one end and a spike on the other. I'm leaning toward the larger one of these poles.

Does anyone here have experience with a whisker pole on their Ensign?

Vic Roberts
#2032

Vic
I forgot to mention the lag screw set into the clew end.  Lag screw goes into the clew grommet.

John C. 
#1029


Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone

On Wednesday, July 25, 2018, 2:40 PM, Ensign Sailing Forum <ensignsailing@ensignclass.com> wrote:

Class rules allow the spinnaker pole to be used as a whisker pole, and also allow a separate whisker pole as long as it is only used with the jib and is no longer than the spinnaker pole.

I am considering the purchase of a whisker pole to be used when I don't have enough crew to set the spinnaker. My spinnaker pole is too too heavy for use as a whisker pole, and has latches on both ends, which makes it hard to connect to the clew of the jib.

Forespar makes two twist-lock whisker poles that seem suitable: the Model 600442, which is 1" in diameter and can be adjusted from 53 inches to 93 inches; and the Model 600459, which is 1 1/4 inches in diameter and can be adjusted from 72 inches to 138 inches. Both have a latch on one end and a spike on the other. I'm leaning toward the larger one of these poles.

Does anyone here have experience with a whisker pole on their Ensign?

Vic Roberts
#2032
Vic 

I made one.
I used a 1” dia aluminium tube the required length.
At the clew end I insert a wooden dowel and secured it with two crews through the side of tube.
At the mast end I fabricated two “ Y” pieces of 1/2” plywood using a saber saw and bolted the two pieces (together) to the side of the tube.

The “jaws” fit up against the mast and are secured to mast with a short piece of shock cord with hooks.

A lot less expensive than the ones you described.

John C
#1029


Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone

On Wednesday, July 25, 2018, 2:40 PM, Ensign Sailing Forum <ensignsailing@ensignclass.com> wrote:

Class rules allow the spinnaker pole to be used as a whisker pole, and also allow a separate whisker pole as long as it is only used with the jib and is no longer than the spinnaker pole.

I am considering the purchase of a whisker pole to be used when I don't have enough crew to set the spinnaker. My spinnaker pole is too too heavy for use as a whisker pole, and has latches on both ends, which makes it hard to connect to the clew of the jib.

Forespar makes two twist-lock whisker poles that seem suitable: the Model 600442, which is 1" in diameter and can be adjusted from 53 inches to 93 inches; and the Model 600459, which is 1 1/4 inches in diameter and can be adjusted from 72 inches to 138 inches. Both have a latch on one end and a spike on the other. I'm leaning toward the larger one of these poles.

Does anyone here have experience with a whisker pole on their Ensign?

Vic Roberts
#2032
Class rules allow the spinnaker pole to be used as a whisker pole, and also allow a separate whisker pole as long as it is only used with the jib and is no longer than the spinnaker pole.

I am considering the purchase of a whisker pole to be used when I don't have enough crew to set the spinnaker. My spinnaker pole is too too heavy for use as a whisker pole, and has latches on both ends, which makes it hard to connect to the clew of the jib.

Forespar makes two twist-lock whisker poles that seem suitable: the Model 600442, which is 1" in diameter and can be adjusted from 53 inches to 93 inches; and the Model 600459, which is 1 1/4 inches in diameter and can be adjusted from 72 inches to 138 inches. Both have a latch on one end and a spike on the other. I'm leaning toward the larger one of these poles.

Does anyone here have experience with a whisker pole on their Ensign?

Vic Roberts
#2032
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