"scudding along" wrote in message
...
On a magnificent 23' sailing yacht,.. where do you store the pole?
I've never used one or sailed this boat but it came with a "cruising
chute" which doesn't look very big or like it would even need a pole.
More like a cheerful gib with a big belly. The pole is about 9 feet
long, I guess, doesn't telescope and had the fitting crushed on one
end. I expertly removed it and epoxied a wooden plug with a snap
thingy back on the end. It's almost half as long as the boat. Do you
really need it? Do you make brackets on the side of the mast and stow
it upright while trying not to get it tangled in the halyards? I'm
open to suggestion. Thank you and happy new year.

Some boats store them on the fore deck fastened to the pulpit, rigging
and/or stanchions.
Others store them on the boom. A large ring at the aft end of the boom
allows it to hang there while a large saddle is placed on the forward end of
the boom to fasten the parrot beak too. On smaller boats this is handy as it
removes clutter from the foredeck and means the forward hand can do all of
his work at the mast and doesn't assist in burying the bow in large waves.
Usually the topping lift can stay on too in this position.

Get down to the local sailing club and have a look at a few systems before
you decide though. Perhaps get an old salt to have a look at it for you.


DP