J/30 Class Association Forums J/30 Forum The Boat, Sails and Equipment Carbon Pole sizing

In the last race of the season this year, I managed to drown my carbon spin pole (didn't even see it go). I bought it used off a frac J-29. I've noticed some different diameter carbon poles on various J/30's-is there a minimum recommended diameter?

In 2006 APS made us one with a Forte RTS 2.5" ID tube, Forespar UXP 200 composite ends, spectra trip line, and center whipped/epoxied D-rings. It was scary watching it bend while reaching in breeze with the foreguy tight. Looked like it might snap at any moment. Since we don't use twings and depend on the foreguy to keep the pole down, it really should have had a proper bridle. Co-owner Mike who did bow in those days disliked the ends. Since he bought, he chose to sell it. Cost a bundle to have it shipped. If I were to make another, I would make one the same size as the standard aluminum pole, use ends to match and would probably have bridle for when the breeze was up.

Bob,

On the D-rings vs the traditional bridle... Other than looking scarey under load, do you think there is an advantage to sticking with the bridle? Maybe easier to connect/disconnect the topping lift and foreguy?

Steve - look at this link Forte - J/Boat Spin Poles
They meet this rule:
5.11.1 Material shall be of either aluminum alloy extrusion or carbon fiber. The diameter of the an aluminum spinnaker pole shall not be less than 2 7/8 inches and a carbon fiber spinnaker pole shall have a uniform diameter through out of not be less than 2 1/2 inches.

I bought mine from Forte last year - Zephyr was using it this year (FCT J29 P). Just remember from the pricing sheet that Bill attached - you have to use the piston end not the trigger.

I received a message from Clint Rand at Forte Carbon Fiber Products with the following information he said was ok to post:

Thanks for the inquiry.

Yes, we do have a class legal J/30 spin pole. Its 2.5" ID, 2.8" OD(roughly), it comes with Forespar UXP end fittings and center point pick standard. Obviously, it is cut to class legal length of 3810mm end to end. The weight is right around 8.5lbs.

The center point pick is simply two D rings lashed to the center of the pole. Typical trip line layout is to have both trip lines tied together and routed through the top center point pick ring, however, we have also built poles with separate trip lines ending about 2/3 of the way down the pole - so there is overlap in the center. We are happy to do either, but if not specified the customer would get the former. We offer vectran bridles in place of the center point pick for $100 additional.

The pole comes without any exterior paint finish - what we call "as molded" - and is relatively shiny with some visible weave pattern and a little texture to hold on to. It has some amount of UV stabilizer in it, but I don't recommend that it be stored on deck with out at least clear paint or a cover. The UV won't hurt the pole structurally so much, but it will fade and chalk over time. I do offer clear paint as an option for $300 - but honestly I don't think I have ever sold a J/30 pole with paint - mostly only really big poles that get stored on the mast.

Retail for the pole is $1098. Packaging and freight seem to run right at $150 just about anywhere in the country.

Clint
FORTE
Carbon Fiber Products
14 Lorenz Industrial Pkwy
Ledyard, CT 06339
860-464-5221

Our end fittings didn't have the flared throat, but D-rings were as shown. Advantage is no bridle to tangle. Disadvantage is the foreguy bends the pole in the middle out of compression, bouncing the afterguy several inches. Anything over 15 knots and we'd go back to using the aluminum pole. Kind of defeats the purpose of having one.

Never did try it with a bridle. Might be able to solve both problems using a retractable bridle--bungee inside single braid. Keep in mind you'll want to store your carbon pole below, so get a padded cover so you don't bang up the bulkheads.

I don't like the angled "slam it on" style ends shown. The trip mechanism catches the sheets while gybing. A measurer's ruling disallowed the trigger-type piston end fittings, which offer the same advantage as the type shown--no need to pull the trip line to clip pole to mast. I'm sticking with my old pole unless that decision is reversed.

These large photos make it hard to read the text in the posts. Is there some way to shrink them, limit width, or set preferences to avoid having to scroll horizontaly?

I'll fix the photos at home tonight with a photo editor. I didn't notice it was a problem until I went from Firefox over to IE. I see IE doesn't shrink the photos the way Firefox does.

ok - The photos in the above post have been resized to fit the screen better

My North loft made a nice cover for mine for $125. If anyone wants one call Brad White 978-745-1400.

On Fuzzy Wuzzy we use the Forte 2.5/2.8 as seen above - we have replaced the sloppy plastic end fittings with the Proctor aluminum ends (needs another bushing to get to 1.5"). We have not seen much flex up to about 25 knots - we always use the twings and can't see a need for bridles.

I'm in the market for a graphite pole too. I'm a little confused by the section in the Specifications...

Rule changes and interpretations effective 1 July 2004
• Permits use of similar sized stainless steel, or plastic as replacement materials for original
wooden handrails (5.4.3)
• Permits substitution of plastic as replacement material for original wooden toe rails
(5.4.10)
• Permits relocation of deck blocks, fairleads, and cleats, for spinnaker sheets, topping lift,
foreguy, backstay adjuster, traveler controls, cunningham, outhaul, reefing gear, twings,
and halyards (5.9.1.2)
• Permits addition of blocks and cleats to control inboard position of spinnaker pole
(5.9.1.8)
• Requires a bridle on the spinnaker pole with no material limits on the bridal (5.11.3)