Hey, I am not an expert but I will try to answer your questions.
I race spinnaker on my friend's C&C 35 mark 3, and non spin on my 110. When racing non spin I find that is it best to sail down wind directly to the mark, sailing the least distance. Typically this will be dead downwind. My whisker pole is also extendable and I usually extend it as far as I can. I will wing the genoa out and I try to keep the pole square / perpendicular to the wind. I have a pole topping lift but no downhaul. The pole mount on my mast is not adjustable. I use the pole lift to keep the pole parallel to the water. Don't forget to really really really trim the main for the conditions. Ease the outhaul to really give the main draft. Release the Cunningham, ease the halyard. Ease the backstay. Use the vang to keep the boom from skying. If possible, I try to set the headsail on starboard and the main on port. This way I am on starboard tack so I have rights over a port boat, and, when I reach the lower mark I just drop the pole, jibe the main, round the mark and sheet everything in. Remember to set the sails for upwind trim (halyard, outhaul, backstay, etc. ) BEFORE you round the mark. Good luck, Barry Barry Lenoble leno...@optonline.net Deep Blue C, C&C 110 Mt. Sinai, NY 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? _______________________________________________ Thanks everyone for supporting this list with your contributions. Each and every one is greatly appreciated. If you want to support the list - use PayPal to send contribution -- https://www.paypal.me/stumurray
