You are right Miky. They did not win the Nationals because of the pole and I do not think that anyone in their right mind would have thought so either. I was merely being informative to the person and offering my congratulations to the winners. Let me offer some additional information on the carbon pole. First, the cabon pole will not break. In order to make the minimum pole weight, the pole must have double the wall thickness we would normally make the pole if there were no class minimum weight. I will gladly offer a lifetime guarantee on tube breakage under normal sailing conditions. Second, carbon will not corrode and the aluminum end fitting is isolated with a delrin sleeve. This will extend the life of the pole substantially. The advantage this pole has over the aluminum tapered pole is that it is 2 lbs lighter. The standard two inch straight pole must be used with bridles or it will break under certain conditions. I think most bow persons will agree that a fixed eyestrap on the center of the pole is alot easier to use and faster than bridles. The carbon pole will be about $225.00 more than the tapered aluminum pole. What do you spend on new sails and regatta expenses for a year? We would not make the pole if we did not think that it provided some distinct advantages over the other poles. Many other one desogn classes have been sailing with carbon poles, and spars for quite some time. I am glad to see the class moving ahead. We will continue to sell the less expensive poles as we realize that everyone has their own budget. I hope this helps.

Comments by Jens are sooooo lame. Yeah, I am sure they won the regatta because of that special prototype on their bow. And if a pole does not flex, it means it will break with less warning. What would you rather have, a bend and a chance to finish the race, or broken carbon edges ripping through your spin. Hall Spars is a great company, why such a lame plug instead of just giving an info?

Something I do not understand. Since carbon spinnaker pole seems to be the same weight as the aluminium one, why move to it? There is a lot of other ways to spend hardly made bucks on a boat!
Eric
Taranis

Carbon is here!! The Hall Rigging carbon spinnaker poles will be in stock and ready to ship in early November. We gave a prototype pole to Randy Borges (Waterline Systems)and Jay Miles (Ex-North Sails) to sail with at the recent J/24 Nationals in Noroton and they loved the pole. They also won the regatta!! The Hall Spars autoclaved carbon tube is 2.25" O.D. with delrin adapters and sports the Proctor 1.5" pole end. We chose this end because it is by far the best pole end on the market. The pole is right on minimum weight and has eye straps fastened to the center. Even reaching in 20 kts the pole never flexed. The price will be about 700 clams! Dealer inquiries welcome.

Spinnaker poles can be made from any material. There is a maxiumum length and a minimum weight for spinnaker poles. The bridle is no longer required.

Is it worth the cost? As a carbon pole needs to weigh the same as an aluminum pole, it may not be worth the difference in cost. We will need to wait and see what the price will be.

Hall Rigging is offering carbon fiber spinnaker poles as well as tapered aluminum spinnaker poles. They might be a good company to contact.

There is also a company in Canada that sells a composite pole that is mostly fiberglass, with aluminum tapers at the ends. Check the discussion under "Maintenance Topics" that is titled "Wire bridle on Spinnaker Pole".

I recently read on the Jboats website that the J-24 will be sold with a carbon spinnaker pole.
Are these class legal? will they be? Is it worth the cost? where can I get one?

thanks in advance