Check your local rules – some areas (ours for one) only allow the pole to be extended out to the J measurement (forestay to mast). That may restrict you from the optimum sail shape.
Gary From: CnC-List <cnc-list-boun...@cnc-list.com> On Behalf Of David Knecht via CnC-List Sent: Wednesday, March 20, 2019 12:42 PM To: CnC CnC discussion list <CnC-List@cnc-list.com> Cc: David Knecht <davidakne...@gmail.com> Subject: Stus-List Downwind sailing- Whisker pole length and height We race non-spinnaker class and a few years ago I got an extendable whisker pole for the genoa. I am unsure about optimal settings for pole height and length. I suspect it is sometimes suboptimal because I have noticed some boats able to carry the genoa poled out at much closer angles than I have achieved. Presumably the optimal pole angle is near perpendicular to the apparent wind. It seems that extending the pole flattens the sail to some extent but I suspect it is more complicated than that. Height I have no idea. Any general rules of thumb? Related to this, the VMG chart I have from C&C has optimal VMG downwind apparent angle of about 140-145° true. Are those numbers +spinnaker, -spinnaker standard or -spinnaker wing on wing with whisker pole? Thanks- Dave S/V Aries 1990 C&C 34+ New London, CT
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