What is the purpose of a spinnaker pole?

A spinnaker pole is a spar used in sailboats (both dinghys and yachts) to help support and control a variety of headsails, particularly the spinnaker.

What is the difference between a whisker pole and a spinnaker pole?

Whisker poles are sized to match the size of the foot of the sail that they are working, while spinnaker poles are sized to match the distance from the mast to the bow, also known as the boat’s “J” dimension. Because of this, Whisker Poles tend to be significantly longer than spinnaker poles for the same boat.

Can you use a spinnaker without a pole?

Yes you can use a spinnaker without a pole. Practice with the wind gentle and set it dead down wind. It will fly fine. Then start slowly coming slightly more up, just a bit.

How much does a spinnaker pole cost?

DETERMINING POLE LENGTH

When can you use a spinnaker?

A spinnaker is a particular type of sail designed for use when a boat is reaching or sailing ‘off the wind’. For example, when on a broad reach or run. Like other sails spinnakers come in different sizes and it is not uncommon for a race boat to have two, three or even more spinnakers as part of its sail wardrobe.

Can you fly a symmetrical spinnaker without a pole?

Of course you can fly a spinnaker without a pole and without the TACKER, but bear in mind that a conventional / symmetrical spinnaker is designed to fly a couple of feet above the lifelines. Its foot (between the clew and the tack) should always be horizontal.

When can you fly a spinnaker?

On a light-to-medium day, some spinnakers can be carried to advantage when the apparent wind is well forward (as close as 55 to 60 degrees relative from the bow), but they could cause a broach and a bad weather helm at the same apparent wind angle in heavier air.

How long should my spinnaker pole be?

Spinnaker Pole Length is normally equal to the “J” Dimension of the boat, but some classes allow for a longer Pole, the maximum length usually being expressed as a percentage of “J” (e.g., 110\%). A Reaching Strut is used in conjunction with a Spinnaker Pole.

Why choose forespar® spinnaker poles?

SPINNAKER POLES Sail fast and smoother downwind – at an acceptable cost Forespar® offers a complete and diversified line of cost effective and durable spinnaker poles. We manufacture eight complete end styles from which we create a full offering of mast and sail end combinations to fit the needs of all sailors – racers or cruisers.

Do you have a spinnaker pole for your boat?

In fact, we probably have built Poles for a boat just like yours. Spinnaker Poles are used to fly a Spinnaker. On the outboard end they attach to the Afterguy (or Brace), and on the inboard end to a Spinnaker Car (or a fixed Mast Ring) mounted on the Mast.

What is the line on a spinnaker called?

For a spinnaker, the line attached to the pole is the guy, or brace, and the corner is the tack. For other headsails, such as a jib, the line would be the sheet, attached to the clew . A special line, the topping lift, runs from the middle of the spinnaker pole up to a block on the mast, and is used to support the weight of the spinnaker pole.

What is a topping lift on a spinnaker pole?

A special line, the topping lift, runs from the middle of the spinnaker pole up to a block on the mast, and is used to support the weight of the spinnaker pole. Another line referred to as the downhaul or foreguy runs down so that the height of the pole is under positive control at all times. v.