Pole Sizes:

Pole     Collapsed     Extends to      Boats up to             J            2023 Price      US Price *
8′                8’6″                14’6″                    24′                 7′ – 9′         $440Cdn        $390US
9′                9’6″                16’6″                    26′                9′ – 10′        $490Cdn        $430US
10′           10’6″                18’6″                    30′               10′ – 12′       $540Cdn        $470US
11′            11’6″               20’6″                    32′               12′ – 13′       $590Cdn        $510US
12′            12’6″               22’6″                    34′               13′ – 14′       $640Cdn        $550US
14′            14’6″               22’6″                    36′               13′ – 14′       $690Cdn        $590US

* US prices are updated occasionally and may vary with the exchange rate.  Also includes paypal fees and cost to package you pole very securely for shipping.   Shipping costs are extra.

Above sizes are based on average boats with full (150%-155%) genoas.  But, all boats are different.  Contact us for another opinion and see the notes below on pole length.

Pole Length:

We typically recommend getting a pole that can extend to the same length as the foot of your genoa.  This is approximately equal to the J of your boat times the sail size.  For instance, a boat with a J of 10′ and a 155% genoa would need a pole that extends to 10′ x 155% = 15.5′ which is our 9′ pole.

Advantages of a longer pole – brings the adjustment locking pin closer to the mast and therefore easier, stronger, only marginally heavier, able to over-extend your genoa if the wind shifts without needing to gybe your genoa

Advantages of a shorter pole – easier to handle on the foredeck, less expensive

Considerations when choosing pole:

• Boat size (including length, J measurement, and weight)
• Sail size
• Sailing style (fair weather, active cruiser, racer)
• Foredeck person (if they are a smaller or lighter person then it will be easier for them to handle a shorter/lighter pole)

TYPICAL Boat sizes:

22′-26′  For these boats, this pole is nearly indestructible.  Don’t settle for a painter pole where you risk stabbing your sail. Definitely beware of flimsy twist lock poles which need repair kits, lock after heavy use, release unexpectedly, and go out of alignment very easily.

Testimonial – Several Nash 26 owners raced with this in extremely high winds (over 40 knots) and love it.  Lots sold to C&C25’s.

27′-30′  Great pole for these boats.  Use in all wind conditions.  Twist lock poles are too small and line control poles are expensive and heavy.  This is the perfect pole for you.

Testimonial – We recently tested the 12′ pole on a C&C 30 Mk1 which has a J of 13’6″ (lots of genoa) and 15 knots of wind.  The pole could be extended to 20’6″ but should be shortened in higher winds.  The skipper was very impressed and bought the pole.  Most boats in this range have much smaller genoas.  Another owner says “perfect for my Catalina 30”.  Lots sold to C&C27 and CS27 owners.

31-35′  Pole is great in light to medium wind conditions.  Note that only the length of the pole segments changes between our poles, the diameter is all the same, so as your boat length increases, the pole length does too, but the strength does not.  So, for these larger boats, the pole should not be used in heavy winds.  If you see excessive flex in the pole, simply reduce it’s length.  This increases the overlap between pole segments and thereby increases the pole’s strength significantly.  If you want to race in ALL wind conditions and have already killed a pole or 2, this is not the right product for you.

Testimonial – Several C&C32/33 racers have used these poles extensively (even in the multi-day 300 nautical mile Lake Ontario 300 race) in winds upto 20 knots true.  The crew of the C&C33 want to use only this pole and grumble when they need to use the heavy beast due to higher winds.

36′-38′  This pole should only be used in relatively light apparent wind conditions.  It is still a great option for these large boats because it’s light and easy to use.  The typical recommended whisker poles for these boats is huge, heavy, awkward, very expensive, and rarely used.  In light wind conditions, this is a great alternative to an asymmetrical spinnaker / gennaker / DRS which costs $2,000-$3,000 or turning on the iron genoa.

Testimonial – The 12′ pole has been tested on a Catalina 380 with 150% genoa and 13 knots of true wind, less than 9 knots apparent.  It could easily be extended to 17’6″ and did a great job.  Extending the pole to 19’6″ introduced too much flex.

We are in the Toronto area, and proudly Canadian.  Buy your whisker pole from us.