Whisker Poles for Efficient Sailing

Tired of constantly having your headsail flop around on downwind legs? Using a telescoping whisker pole to stabilize your headsail allows it to work more efficiently: it improves downwind drive, increases your downwind speed, and eliminates setting and tending a spinnaker—plus the headsail will set to prime position without constant helm correction and sheeting. We offer a wide variety of end fitting combinations.

Recommended pole sizes allow a margin of extra strength. Skimping on size could cause the pole to fail due to sudden compression overload and bending, so choose a pole that falls within both the length and diameter ranges for your boat size. Boats with relatively heavy displacement or bowsprits should use the next larger pole. The standard rule of flying a genoa on a whisker pole is that the pole length should be 100% of the foot od the sail.

Once you get the right pole for your needs, remember that they need regular maintenance to stay in proper working condition. Forespar strongly advises that you use fresh water for washing and flushing all deck hardware. Lubricants can clog spring housings and ball bearings and can destroy twist-lock components.