De 32 whisker pole set up and length General Forum Forums

Have used a pole on my DE38 for many miles.  Have found it a great tool for giving you extra speed and safety if used properly.  I have personally bent two rings where the pole attaches to the mast.  There is a rotational element to the pole in strong winds so switching to a male female piston type fitting solved that problem..  I have found that the length of the pole is determined by the location of the clew of the sail.  Using the pole, quiets the sail in light air and can be a great safety measure in strong winds.  My 70% jib has its clew about 10 ft above the water.  I use a foreguy and after guy and toping lift on the end of the pole.  This allows the pole to stand alone.  With my hank on jib and this pole configuration , and if  I'm running down wind and have to reduce sail (say for a squall), all I have to do is let go the halyard.   The sail will slide down the forestay and find its natural spot and just sit there very quiet and nice.  After the squall passes I just tighten the halyard raising the sail never touching the sheets during this whole process.   Because the clew is high and the sail is small it never touches the water.  You must experiment with different sails.   Hope this helps and enjoy this addition to your boat.

Cheers,

Jim