I was sailing this week and, during a noontime calm, found myself heading into a channel against an outgoing tide. The wind was so light that I couldn't make a bit of gain against the tide until I finally let out my spinnaker, much to the amusement of a nearby motor boat. At any rate, the spinnaker did the trick and got me going, although I had to hold the clew by hand out to the side over the water to get the spin to fill; otherwise, it would collapse and luff. I've been in that situation a couple of times now, and I was wondering if anyone ever uses any kind of whisker pole on a cat to hold the clew out in such cases. If so, what specifically do you use? I was thinking that something telescoping would be nice so that it could be stored easily, but I haven't happened accross the right thing yet. Of course, a good breeze is handy for holding the clew out, too, but that isn't always available...

Thanks,
Kevin
Trac 14

Never saw one on a Cat, we use the crew for that!

The solid fiberglass Hobie tillers work pretty well. One day when the wind dropped to almost nothing, I watched a skipper take his tiller off and use it as a whisker pole. He seemed to pick up a little speed.

I have used round fiberglass battens on a Wave. It doesn't seem to go any faster but, it's less annoying when there are a lot of power boat wakes.

I've used my collapsible paddle for that on occasion. Extend it all the way, push against the clew of the sail, keep small bits o' skinny line in your vest, use them to tie the paddle to the sail and the stay (or whatever) if your arm gets tired...

Wouldn't the weight pulling down of the sail be a turn off? I would think you would have to support the weight other wise it will close off the roach of the chute.

That's why I was wondering about something more along the lines of a fishing pole in size and thickness. Hmmm, I might need to do some "customization" to one of my old poles... The question will be where to stash it of the way under normal circumstances.

Try this. Remove the mainsheet from the boom so that you can force the boom all the way out to the shroud. Fasten that boom to the shroud. (works far better if you have a square toped main sail!)

Now the main will be blocking the jib. Furl the jib. (or wing and wing it, using the tiller stick as a whisker pole, IF going dead down wind)

Don't use the paddle as a whisker pole; instead, use the paddle to propel the boat. (elbow grease) The paddle works far better as a paddle than as a whisker pole.

That's my emergency approach to ultra light weather.

GARY

I think you should just head up a little to keep the sail flying and gibe a couple more times. I don't think I would try the fishing pole. The last thing you want is a sudden shift snapping the pole which could result in body or boat damage.