File - Canadian Wayfarer Association

The uphaul/downhaul is fastened to the center of the pole by a ring or rope loop. The best
arrangement is to have a plastic "ramp” on the side of the pole which has a slot in the middle for
a loop of line which is part of the uphaul/downhaul. When setting the pole, rotate it 45º till the
ramp is on top. Then fit the loop into the slot in the ramp. Rotate the pole back by 45º trapping
the loop in the slot. This is simple and keeps the uphaul/downhaul securely in place. Connect a
trip line between the pole end fittings to release the guy when gybing. Be sure to trap the
uphaul/downhaul line inside this trip line so that the pole can not be lost overboard.
3 Use and Control
The spinnaker pole uphaul has to control the height of the pole and needs to be adjustable.
There are various ways of attaching it to the pole. The most suitable depends upon where the
pole is stowed when not in use. If it is stowed on the boom, then a “keyring” or loop system is
best. If a key ring is used, then stopper blocks should be mounted on the sides of the pole on
either side of the centreline, so that has only to be twisted through 90º. (Fig. 2a)
Fig. 2b shows the uphaul attachment points about 2/3 of the length of the pole out from the
mast. Some sailors use this system as it makes the uphaul proportionally longer and lets the pole
lie parallel to the boom when stowed without further adjustment of the uphaul. But distance A is
long and causes problems on gybes because the pole has to be slid out and twisted 180º to get
the key ring past the other uphaul attachment.
A better alternative to this system is to use a rope loop at the uphaul/downhaul junction instead
of the metal keyhole fitting. This means fitting a ramp at the centre of the pole. When the pole
is launched, it is simply slid out. The loop slips up and over the ramp and catches in the centre
groove of the ramp. It can be left there during the gybe and the pole only has to be twisted
through 90º when it is being retrieved. Super Spars or Proctor Masts can supply the “ramp”, or
one can be made from tufnol. (see diagram 3)
With either of these systems, it is important that, when stowed, the spinnaker pole does not fall
off the boom. The best idea is to push its aft end into either a 3” diameter plastic drainpipe or a
stainless steel loop which should be positioned 183 cm (6’0”) from the gooseneck. It is also a
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