How to Make a Spinnaker Pole
- 1). Determine the length and diameter of spinnaker pole that you need for your boat. The suggested sizes will be listed in your boat’s sail-plans. Ensuring you order a correct length for your spinnaker pole will allow it to not only fit in well your boat but also not jam when in use. A pole that is too short will not be able to properly control the spinnaker.
- 2). Purchase the blank for your pole, either online or in a local sailing supply store. When buying a spinnaker pole blank you generally have the choice between aluminum and carbon fiber poles. While aluminum is less expensive, the weight will be greater than if using a more expensive carbon fiber pole. Heavier poles are no problem for a crewed sailboat, but when sailing solo, the heavier the pole, the more unwieldy it can become when trying to set or move.
- 3). Purchase end fittings for both ends of the pole. Spinnaker pole end fittings should be purchased with the diameter of the spinnaker pole blank in mind, as the end fittings slide into the pole blank. End fittings will have, at the very minimum, a single latch hook that can be used to catch cabling. More complex end fittings may include loops to attach cables in addition to the latch hook, though these are rarely needed.
- 4). Purchase a mast ring for the mast of the sailboat. The mast ring will be bolted in to the ship’s mast, and attached to one end of the spinnaker pole.
- 5). Insert the spinnaker pole end fittings into either end of the pole blank and then run the foreguy and topping lift cables through the bottom and top rings, respectively. Your spinnaker pole is now ready to be attached to the mast.
Source...