1. Spinnaker Pole Selection
Spinnaker poles are used to hold out the tack of the spinnaker sail. They are a fixed length pole that is sized to the specific "J" dimension of the boat. The diameter of the pole is determined by the required pole length in order to provide the necessary strength.
There are a variety of end fitting styles available for either end of the spinnaker pole depending on your preferences, boat configuration and budget. Your preferred method of jibing will also dictate your end fitting choices. It is important before selecting a spinnaker pole to determine which method of jibing you prefer and then set a pole up for that purpose.
Once the end fittings have been chosen, you can select from several mast fittings. It is very important that the spinnaker pole end fitting(s) be compatible with the mast fitting. Spinnaker pole storage is another consideration when selecting the mast fitting.
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2. Sizing a Spinnaker Pole
The length of a spinnaker pole is determined by the "J" dimension of your boat. The diameter of a spinnaker pole is proportional to its length in order to provide the necessary compressive strength.
The "J" dimension is the distance from the forward face of the mast to the outer most jib tack at deck level. This dimension is used by the sail maker to properly size the spinnaker for a given boat. Boats with fixed bow sprits can have very long "J" dimensions. This means that if you have a cutter, the "J" extends to the outermost jib tack, not the staysail tack. The only time this dimension is "altered" is in cases where a "J corrected" measurement is used or a "penalty pole" is used. These poles are a percentage over true "J" based on a set of criteria that varies from class to class. Your racing certificate will list your boat's maximum "J" and any penalties for longer poles.
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3. Spinnaker Pole End Fittings
Standard pole end fittings are made from hard anodized aluminum castings. Forespar Ultra end fittings are made from a high-tech composite material and are non-corrosive, wear resistant, extremely strong and approximately half the weight of the standard fittings. Fittings are available in a variety of styles: Latch, Piston, Trigger and Socket. We now also offer the Grand Prix offshore series in the new lighter weight "Ultra" material. For more detailed information on the fine points of each style of end fitting see the catalog section entitled End Fittings.
Mauri Pro Sailing can work with you to help determine the best style pole and end fitting combinations to suite your needs. There are many opinions among sailors and racers particularly, concerning which style or combination of end types works best for a given boat. Personal preferences and storage options may come in to play as well as your racing crews opinions. One method or combination of ends may not necessarily be the only way to set up a pole on a given boat.
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4. Jibing a Spinnaker Pole
One major factor in determining the end fitting style is your preferred method of jibing the spinnaker pole. There are two basic methods of jibing a spinnaker pole. The most commonly used is an "end-for-end" jibe which is usually the fastest way to jibe a pole on most boats and allows you to use the same fitting on both ends. The other method is a "dip-pole" jibe which is usually reserved for larger boats (mid 40's and above) or when jibing in heavy air and requires specific ends and mast cars. It is important before selecting a spinnaker pole to determine which method of jibing you prefer and then set a pole up for that purpose.
End-For-End Jibing: The end fittings for this style jibe are usually the same on both ends of the pole. Forespar offers end fittings which are high-tech, light weight, non-corrosive composite fittings weighing half as much as aluminum end fittings. Forespar Ultra fittings are available in the Piston Style (UXP) and the Trigger Style (UTR). For more specific information on end fittings, see the End Fittings section on our Online Catalog.
Dip Jibing: " Dip-jibe" style poles have a specific inboard and outboard end that cannot be used interchangeably as in an "end-for-end" maneuver. "Dip-jibe" poles generally are used on larger boats and are 3" in diameter or larger. The inboard end fitting used for these poles is the Socket Style . Require Toggle Cars for attachment to the mast in order for the inboard end of the pole to be raised so that the outboard end can swing clear of the forestay . The outboard end can incorporate any of the Piston, Trigger or Grand Prix style fittings depending on your preferences. For more specific information on end fittings, see the End Fittings section on our Online Catalog.
Most "dip-jibe" poles also have a special retracting bridles that help keep the jib sheets from falling off the end of the pole while being "dipped". This bridle has a retractor cord that draws the topping lift in toward the mast when eased.
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5. Spinnaker Pole Mast Fittings
Most end fitting and pole failures are due to an improper attachment to the mast. It is very important that the end fitting(s) be compatible with the mast fitting. Another consideration which will dictate the mast fitting is whether or not you wish to store the pole up the mast.
Mast attachment is critical to insure that the spinnaker pole can move in the necessary direction without binding under the compression loads. Mast fittings are available in two basic styles: fixed eye or sliding car. Since each style of end fitting may have a specific mast fitting requirement, attention to detail is very important.
Fixed Eye mast fittings are typically used on boats under 25". For these applications, Forespar provides mast pad eyes in three basic sizes. The important thing to know is to match the pad eye to the pole end fitting. All fixed eye pads should be installed on the forward center face of the mast at a height that allows the pole to fly level. You must determine the elevation of your headsail's clew and mount the mast eye at that height on the mast.
Sliding Car mast fittings are available in three styles and are designed for larger boats (over 25' ) that require a stronger attachment while allowing the spinnaker pole to be positioned level to the clew. This attachment method is also much stronger than a fixed eye as the track spreads the load over a greater area. The car style is dictated by the style of end fitting on the pole and whether or not you are going to store the pole up the mast.
The basic mast car is a ring car. These cars allow simple attachment of all latch, piston and trigger style ends. They do not allow for vertical pole storage because they do not let the pole hang vertically without binding. The rings simply do not stick out far enough. It is important to remember that a spinnaker pole is a tremendous lever arm that can break an end fitting with little apparent force on the pole.
The Toggle style sliding car is designed for even larger poles and offshore sailing conditions on boats 35 feet and over. This ultimate in sliding car design allows the pole to twist without binding as well as providing for the necessary vertical and horizontal movement. Allowing a spinnaker pole to twist helps eliminate much of the chafing which can occur on long downwind legs during trade-wind sailing. This style of pole also allows for vertical storage and has proven very reliable over the past 30 years.
For more specific details, see the catalog section on Mast Fittings.
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6. Storage Considerations
Spinnaker pole storage should be considered before purchasing a pole and related fittings since space on board any boat is at a premium. Forespar offers a wide range of fittings to provide you with various options.
The most common storage method is on the deck along the base of the life-line. This gets the poles weight down as low as possible and also gives you additional foot-hold when healing significantly. It is also the most secure of the options.
On cruising boats, poles up to 3-1/2" diameter can be stored in stanchion chocks mounted to your life line stanchions, thus eliminating deck chocks and the need to drill holes in the deck. This method offers a great way of keeping the decks clear but is not recommended for the offshore sailor as the added weight and surface area to the stanchions can pose a problem in heavy seas. Poles mounted on the life line stanchions can, in extreme conditions, cause damage to the stanchions or be lost overboard when waves break over the deck.
Storing poles vertically (on cruising boats) up the mast has become very popular in recent years as the pole is always attached to the mast and ready to set. It also eliminates some pole handling, an important consideration with the larger poles. Even with vertical mast storage, it is advisable to also have a set of securely mounted deck chocks ready to accept the pole in severe weather. This gets windage and weight off the mast in bad weather and saves the pole in case of de-masting.
To set up a vertically stored pole you need the following hardware:
- An appropriate length of T-track up the forward center face of the mast.
- A proper mast car to match the pole's inboard end fitting.
- An up-haul/downhaul mast car control system.
- A vertical storage mast car of the appropriate diameter for the pole.
- A chock located near the base of the mast that captures the outboard end of the stored pole.
All of the above hardware is available from Mauri Pro Sailing. These blocks and fittings are made by a number of sailboat hardware manufacturers in a variety of sizes.
For more specific details, see the catalog section on Pole Storage.
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7. Reaching Struts
A reaching strut is used when the after-guy (the line that is attached to the "tack" of the spinnaker and pulls the spinnaker pole back) is on the cap shroud or is to close to effectively hold the spinnaker pole off the headstay. This usually happens only when "fore-reaching" or when the tack of the spinnaker is required to be as far forward as possible. Poles and can be dented, bent or completely destroyed if forced against a stay.
The reaching strut is a short (relatively) pole attached to the side of the mast and extends beyond the shrouds. The after-guy is lead thru the outboard end of the strut to keep it off the shroud. This also creates a better angle on the after-guys lead aft and allows better control of the spinnaker pole.
Reaching struts are measured by taking half the beam of the boat at the mast, and adding about 3 feet. This measurement gives you a pole that is not so long as to make setting a problem. To set, you must be able to reach the outboard end fitting when standing at the rail. Too long of a pole will require two people to set. Always attach the pole to the mast first, then set the after-guy into the outboard end. If you try to push the pole out on the guy and then attach to the mast, you may find the compression loads are too great and have a torpedo in your hands!
Reaching struts are set from the side of the mast and then thru the shrouds (if you have forward and aft lowers, set it aft of the outer-most shroud or the one the after-guy hits) at the same level as the average height of the after-guy. Lash the pole to the shroud using a sail-tie or scrap of line. This will keep the strut from falling down when the after-guy goes loose or falls out of the outboard end.
A properly sized spinnaker pole and reaching strut will allow for the best control of the spinnaker in all sailing angles.
Reaching struts are sold in "kit" form. Forespar offers Reaching Strut Kits which cover lengths from 5' to 9' and differ primarily by the style of mast fitting (Self-Latching, Toggle Type, and Automatic Locking). All ends are loose and you cut the tubing to length and attach the end fittings. All required fasteners are included.
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8. Spinnaker Pole Maintenance
Maintaining your spinnaker pole is simple. Keep it clean by flushing with fresh water after use and before storing. The end fittings should not be lubricated with anything. Lubrication will build up and attract salt faster than leaving them dry. The springs and any other mechanisms are stainless steel and should last for years if kept clean. If an end salts up, white vinegar will dissolve the salt without harming any of the components. Simply stand the pole up in a bucket of vinegar, completely immersing the end. In extreme cases it may take a few days of soaking, but this has been found to be the best way of freeing up a frozen end.
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9. Carbon Fiber/Composite Spinnaker Poles & Tubing
Featuring extensive use of state-of-the-art carbon fiber technology, Forespar Carbon Fiber/Composite Poles are structurally superior to aluminum, at up to half the weight. Poles and tubing are available either tapered or non-tapered. All Forespar Carbon Fiber/Composite Spinnaker Poles and Tubing are custom fabricated to your individual specifications and requirements.
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Forespar manufactures the widest range of spinnaker poles in the world. Styles and sizes are available for small dinghy's, one-design racers, day sailors, offshore racers and the cruising sailor. All are made in the USA. Spinnaker Poles are available in "customized" form, built to a specific dimension, or in "kit" form, allowing the marine dealer or yachtsman to complete the pole himself.
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