Thanks everyone for the insights. I had a feeling that using the ring I showed was a bad idea, but I had to ask. Now another related question - What do you use for a topping lift on the pole? We have a main halyard, jib/genoa halyard and two spinnaker halyards on the boat. How would one rig the topping lift for the whisker pole?
As to the reason why I am considering this, down here in Tampa, most of our days result in 10 kts. of wind or less, and I keep the 150% Genoa on the roller furler year round. We only occasionally have to reef the main and/or roll up the Genny because we're overpowered. So, there are days I want to fly a large asymmetrical instead, but I commonly find myself wanting it poled out for better performance. I'm not a racer and more often than not daysail, though we want to cruise up & down the coast of Florida more over the next few years. Thoughts? Bruce Whitmore 1994 C&C 37/40+ "Astralis" Madeira Beach, FL
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