Impact of Shortening Spinnaker Pole

[CarpeDiem 461]

Hi all,

 

I have some damage to the end of my Spinnaker pole and I am toying with the idea of shortening it rather than replacing it.

 

I need to lop off about 100 - 150mm.

 

The pole at 4.35m is already quite a bit longer than "J" which is 3.85m.  The boat is a 10.6 Fractional rig (if that is relevant).

 

Obviously my existing spinnakers (MH and Frac) were both "made to fit" this Spinnaker pole.

 

So what impact would I notice or see if I just shortened it?

 

Thanks

 

 

[RushMan 31]

Sweet Fanny Adams... And it will be a little bit easier to gybe

[markm 30]

The number to look at is the max width of your kites.  Ideally the kite pole should be minimum of about 55% of the max width of your bigger kite, or rule of thumb kite width = 1.8 times pole length.  Guessing you probably don't want to cut any more off than you absolutely need to.

[CarpeDiem 461]

The number to look at is the max width of your kites.  Ideally the kite pole should be minimum of about 55% of the max width of your bigger kite, or rule of thumb kite width = 1.8 times pole length.  Guessing you probably don't want to cut any more off than you absolutely need to.

 

Thanks for this @markm, very interesting rule. So my sail maker advises that the SMW (maximum width) of the largest spinnaker is 7.6m.  I assume that is the right number?

 

So have I worked out correctly that my Spinnaker pole could be a minimum of 4.18m (7.6 * 0.55)?

 

And going the other way if I cut off 150mm from my 4.35m pole, my kite should be 7.56m SMW. (4.2 * 1.8 )  (So the kite will be just a bit wider than the rule of thumb).

 

Thanks

[markm 30]

Yes, looks good, and it'll even be be easier to jibe, not that this observation should be taken in any way as showing even the smallest degree of sympathy for the bow department