[C320-list] Allowable Whisker Pole Length where you race

[Larry Frank]

Hi Rick,

Thanks for your answer.  I will do my best at describing what we do.  We have multiple crew that will be on the foredeck and they all do it a little different.  I used to try to tell them exactly what to do but I think that just caused confusion.  None the less I try to make suggestions to get them all to do the same thing with varying amounts of success.

To start we store the pole on stantion mounts.  For most races we pre-rig the pole by attaching the topping lift, attaching to the mast ring, and place the outboard end of the pole on deck and attach it to the bow rail support with a bungee,  We  usually hook the topping lift under the line control cleat on the pole so that it does not interfere with tacking.  

We will usually the rig pole after rounding a weather mark and have the main more or less trimmed where we need it.  At that point we release the bungee and place the sheet into the jaws.  Then using the topping lift we raise the pole to the approximately level needed.  Next the pole is extended to the desired length.  Sometimes it is necessary to adjust the topping lift to level the pole at this point.  Once the pole is extended we trim in the working sheet.  The last step is to hook the lazy sheet under the bow cleat horn so it can be used as a downhaul.  This is a less than perfect solution but for rather short downwind runs it works and is quick to rig.  I do have a more proper downhaul which I will use on longer legs.

Taking the pole down is mostly the reverse of the above.  

I do not what to say never, but I cannot recall a situation where we needed to jibe the headsail nor can I anticipate one.  Almost all of the races I participate have short downwind legs (1-3 nm) so once the pole is set there is seldom a need to jibe, that is unless we rig it on the wrong side to begin with.  I have used the pole on a longer offshore race of approximately 150 nm and I do not recall if we ever jibed but if we did given that we were offshore and that the race was much longer speed in jibing was not foremost on our mind.  I would also have my real downhaul on and that makes it important to make sure all the lines are properly sorted and the bow.  Again we take our time

Hope this helps.

Larry

On 12/6/20, 6:56 AM, "C320-list on behalf of Rick Smith" <c320-list-bounces at lists.catalina320.com on behalf of ricksmith4333 at gmail.com> wrote:

    No restriction where I race -- Lake Lanier, GA -- we have same sail 
    inventory (155, 135, 110) and we adjust to the sail. Usually the 155 and the 
    pole is at full extension.

    If you would like to chat with any of the Lake Lanier PHRF Committee members 
    I'm happy to connect you -- good guys!

    On a sorta related whisker pole note -- I'd be interested in hearing about 
    your approach to launching the pole -- my foredeck guy has rigged a system 
    with a lot of purchase so that he can launch and gybe solo if need be, but, 
    darn it, it takes a lot more time than it used to when we just kept the pole 
    at full extension!  And there's a ton of line in his system.

    Rick Smith
    Layla #136
    Lake Lanier, GA



    -----Original Message----- 
    From: Larry Frank
    Sent: Sunday, December 06, 2020 7:35 AM
    To: C320-List at Catalina320.com
    Subject: [C320-list] Allowable Whisker Pole Length where you race

    Up early this morning researching rules that may limit the maximum whisker 
    pole length under PHRF rules.  Of course since every area has their own 
    rules, there may not be a single answer to this question.  So for those of 
    you that race and have looked into this issue, what does your local PHRF 
    rules allow?



    I will add a little background for further comments.



    I have a 155% genoa for WindSwept ( 110 and 135 too) which is the max 
    allowed under South Texas PHRF Rules.  This is a quite common maximum size. 
    I also have a line control adjustable whisker pole.  In our PHRF handbook 
    the word whisker does not even appear.  When I ask what is the maximum 
    length I can extend the pole, I am given the answer for a spinnaker pole 
    which is the “j” dimension.  But this is not a spinnaker pole and attaches 
    to the clew and not the tack.  I think this is just either the lazy answer 
    given to me by other members who race all sails and are not knowledgeable. 
    Sometimes spinnaker poles are used as Whisker poles because that is what is 
    onboard.  To me this doesn’t mean that the maximum spinnaker pole length 
    should dictate maximum length of a whisker pole.



    I did some Internet searching on what other PHRF fleets say about maximum 
    whisker pole lengths.  I found quite a few that state in their rules that 
    there is no limit or penalty for whisker pole length, or that a whisker pole 
    may be of any length.  I found others that specified the maximum pole length 
    that varied with headsail size.  This length was based on sail LP.   In this 
    case poles longer than “j” are allowed.



    I tried to look up whether the 320 Association has any rules on Whisker Pole 
    length on our website, but could not find whether we have class rules there. 
    Even if there is some limit, I am not sure this would necessarily carry over 
    to local fleet PHRF handicaps, since C320’s are not a one design fleet.  It 
    might only apply to our association races.



    So I am currently thinking that in future races I will use the pole extended 
    to the optimum length considering which genoa I am flying and the 
    conditions.  Based on my research I do not believe I would be breaking any 
    rules, and if so have a good case for pushing our local PHRF Handicap 
    committee for a rule change. Of course someone would have to file a protest 
    for this to become an issue and I believe I would win the protest because 
    the protesting person or authority would not be able to find a rule that had 
    been broken.



    This is all made slightly more complicated because I am on the local PHRF 
    Handicap committee.



    Thank you in  advance for sharing your experiences and wisdom!



    Larry Frank

    WindSwept

    1995 C320 #246