Spinnaker Pole Storage LM30

[jdp]

On Lone Star the pole is stored against the starboard side stanchion's at the forward end of the side deck. This is not very convenient as it makes walking along the deck difficult. 
Many yachts stow their poles in vertically front of the mast clipping  the pole top and bottom. The track on Lone Star is not long enough to do this but I was considering extending it so that it could be stored there.
Any advice on this would be most welcome
John

[tonyp]

I can't speak for LM30 but the spinnaker pole is stored up the mast on our 27. Originally it was just pulled up as far as it would go on the uphaul to a block screwed to the mast. The foot of the pole stays attached to the car, which is locked in its lowest position on the track. This winter I made a hoop, or large eye through which the pole (and uphaul, of course), will pass and have fixed it to the mast about a foot below the top of the pole in its stowed position. This hoop is simply 5mm stainless rod bent to the correct shape and size, to make a snug but not tight fit around the pole.  The hoop prevents the upper end of the stowed pole from swinging about in a swell.  It also takes some of the strain off the uphaul, I suppose.  I have bought a length of track which I want to fit above the existing track, but the existing car has a stop on it which mean it might not be the best sort of car to haul up the mast. If the stop engaged while it was at the top of the track in the stowed position, you couldn't get the pole down! I'm looking for a car for a 25mm track with an eye big enough for the jaws of the spinnaker pole, but without a stop.  Having a track would make the pole much easier to launch when single-handed.
Don't know if that's of any help, John.

Tony

[Brian & Glenda]

Our LM32's spinnaker pole is simply stored alongside the boom on two SS bails that are slightly off circular shaped, one near the forward end of the boom, the other spaced aft about one foot closer than the spinnaker pole is long. The aft hoop is simply a closed hoop affixed to the boom that the pole is slid into and out of. The pole is then brought forward and clipped onto a SS rod that runs horizontally from one side of the forward bail to the other, holding the pole firmly in place. It is quick and convenient to use, although the 'up the mast' version may be equally easy to use. This is how other boats I have raced on, also stored their poles.

I have added such a 'slip in along the boom fixture' to another Scout's Canada group sailboat that I used to train members how to sail on, and care for; and these supports were made from approximately 10" lengths of an appropriate diameter PVC piping, who's ends were cut to a 45 degree angle for easy entry, and that were affixed to the boom using aluminium rivets.

While my boat has storage for the spinnaker pole on only the port side of the boom, I put the PVC fittings on both side of that boat's boom. Doing so made for easier storage after a gibe etc. I have heard of, but never seen canvas and velcro arrangements slung onto the boom for spinnaker pole storage.

Hope that helps,
Brian.

[jdp]

Hi Tony & Brian,
Thanks for both of your idea's
They have given me "food for thought"
I'll let you know how I get on.

It's a pity we cant post photo's on this forum at the moment because apparently it doesn't have enough space? Do you know who can sort it out ?

Best Regards,
John

[paulsailing]

I like the boom idea, years ago I had a dinghy with that system (had forgotten all about it). I will have a serious look at that over the winter.