If you own a Taipan try to get your pole at least 3.25 mtr long, the spi will move in front of the forestay alot better that way. If you have to move the sheeting point forward from the sidestay then do that. I sailed with a 3.0 mtr pole for a while, even 2.8 mtr, and I was cursing the hang-ups. No that I moved my sheeting points forward and am using the 3.25 mtr length again, the gibes are a breeze with the spi pulling itself through the gap between its own luff and the forstay.

Wouter