Toppng lift whisker poll question ????

[Russ L]

Hi Micheal,
What diameter is this whisker pole? The usual ones are kinda small enough not to need a top'n'lift.
The spinnaker pole top'n'lift on my boat (mast height approx 40' above deck) is about 30' high. Well below the jib halyard exits. You should be able to rivet a tang to the forward side of the mast to hang a block for the lift. Adding a bail around it to keep the jib from dragging across the block on each tacking is a nice touch. A swivel block will allow the lift to wrap upon itself (if it is a MicroSoft product, this is called a "feature"). Be careful when drilling holes up there, so you don't pearce a halyard, with the end of the drill.

If you want to spec the height by deduction, try picking a lift angle... say 20 degrees. Using 1/2 pole length (because it's bridled), you're looking at a height of 27.5 feet (above the pole end). A lift angle of 10 degrees will need a block at 56 feet high.
So you can see how going high does not yeild much of an advantage for this gear which is a relatively light load.

Cheers, Russ