Spinnaker and Whisker Poles

Spinnaker pole length (SPL) - whisker pole - flying headsails

This year there are some major changes regarding spinnaker pole length, whisker poles and flying headsails.

If you are applying for revalidation they will be asked to confirm some information regarding pole configuration and spinnaker pole length.

Please look at the new IRC Rules and other guidance on the IRC website Rules and our downloads page well in advance:

• IRC 2021 Rule & definitions    

• Software changes that may affect TCC

• Flying Headsail rules summary and Questions & Answers

It is in your interests to confirm the following details at revalidation, as the 'default' values are likely to give a higher rating.

A new definition of Spinnaker Pole Length (SPL) has been added to enable IRC to better rate boats with bowsprit AND spinnaker poles where previously the maximum STL was used for rating purposes. The spinnaker pole has been removed from the STL definition and IRC Appendix A4 now includes:

SPL The greatest horizontal distance from the forward face of the mast spar, ignoring any fittings and tracks, measured on or near the centreline of the boat, to the extremity of the spinnaker pole.

Bowsprit/spinnaker pole configuration

Boats will be rated according to whether they use a spinnaker pole and/ora bowsprit according to the following configurations:

0. No bowsprit or spinnaker pole(s), spinnaker may be tacked on deck

1. Bowsprit only, no spinnaker pole(s)

2. Spinnaker pole(s) only

3. Bowsprit and spinnaker pole(s)

4. Articulating bowsprit only

If this question is not answered your new rating will be based on your last declaration when spinnaker and whisker poles were combined so, for instance, you may be rated for a spinnaker pole when you only have a whisker pole and vice-versa.

Whisker pole

In 2020 IRC introduced whisker poles into the rating scope for spinnaker poles; this resulted in some boats having a substantial increase in TCC and was reviewed for 2021.

Now there is a definition of whisker pole in the 2021-2024 Equipment Rules of Sailing (ERS) the 2021 IRC software includes changes to the rating of whisker poles with the intention of rating them more equitably.

IRC Rules now read:

21.3.6 A boat shall declare using any spar as a whisker pole to set a headsail or a flying headsail.

This is now a simple yes/no question.

If this question is not answered and you previously declared 'spinnaker and/or whisker pole(s)' then your new rating will include a whisker pole.

If you make no declarations on these at the time of revalidation, either we will contact you again for the information which will hold up your application or the certificate will be issued with defaults and an amendment fee will be incurred to correct it necessary.

SPL(Spinnaker Pole Length) see drawing.

If there is no change to your spinnaker pole since the boat’s last rating, you will only need to supply SPL for certain configurations:

0. No bowsprit or spinnaker pole(s), spinnaker may be tacked on deck - SPL not applicable

1. Bowsprit only, no spinnaker pole(s) - SPL not applicable

2. Spinnaker pole(s) only - we will use the previously declared/measured STL (unless you declare a change)

3. Bowsprit and spinnaker pole(s) - please declare SPL if it is shorter than the last rated STL. If no SPL is supplied we will use the last rated STL also for SPL.

4. Articulating bowsprit only - SPL not applicable

NOTE: for SPL measurement the pole must be fixed on the mast on the centreline – see Definition in the Rule.