A large # of boats are racing with the origional 20+ year old poles (us included) and are faced with replacements at one point. Is the class considering a rule change to allow carbon fiber poles? The cost penalty is hardly a factor at this point. Comments?

This has been considered by the Class. You reduce weight on the foredeck by 5 or 6 lbs. The cost difference the last time I looked was considerable. Do you have cost figures?

Larry

Cost seems to be $800 -1,200 depending on exact set-up and source, not much different than an alu. pole.

I put togehter a new aluminum pole with ultra ends and spectra bridle last year for under $450 dollars. Did the assembly and splices myself

West Marine or Port Supply were the best source for the pole because they don't charge shipping for store pick up. Saves about $100 in shipping.

That's a lot cheaper than the 800-1,200 you mention.

Rusty

Online APS and Layline list 14 foot (or less) x 3" carbon pole with Forespar external trip composite ends for $1040 and $1095; Hall is a bit higher, $1016 for just the tube. APS quotes aluminum 13.5'x 3" with same end fittings for $591. I don't know if a 2.5" pole would be strong enough, but the cost is less, $832 at Layline with the same end fittings.

My aluminum pole with cast ends weighs 16 lb (+/- .5lb); 11 lbs for the pole, 5 lbs for the two ends. Composite ends save a total of 3.5 lbs (12 oz each vs. 2.5 lbs each). Layline's supplier quotes the 14 foot 3" pole at 7 lbs (http://www.forterts.com/ordInf2.html#spin). So a carbon J/30 pole at 12.5 feet with the composite ends and a rope bridle would be about 8 lbs.

J/24 allows carbon spin poles, but sets the minimum weight at 6 lbs (2.7 kg) for a 9'6" pole, so their carbon poles contain lead in the middle to meet the minimum. This would defeat the purpose for us. I don't think anyone is going to win a race because they made their pole 8 lbs lighter but it might be easier to handle. Will people will rush out and buy one? I'd probably only consider it if we broke our pole, lost it overboard.

A few years ago, I looked into lightening up my existing (1983) pole. I figured I could put on the composite ends and save several pounds. Unfortunately, the new composite ends are much shorter than the old fittings and I would lose a few inches of spin pole length. So, I needed a new tube either carbon or aluminum. Since I race only one or two one design events a year, I was an easy choice to go carbon. It makes for a very happy foredeck.

[This message has been edited by Ed Austin (edited 08-19-2004).]