Forespar returned my repaired pole today. See new stainless line guide covering the former raw slot in the carbon fiber.
The control line that sets the length of the telescoping poles is under pressure at all times. The line chafed through where it formerly exited the raw hole. When that happens under sail, the pole collapses, breaks its stop, and jams. I was not the only boat that happened to last summer.
I think I could have done this modification myself, since the added stainless guide appears to be a stock piece of hardware.
It took Forespar six months to get around to sending the pole back, but they paid shipping both ways and were responsive.
Unrelated to the chafe issue: carbon fiber is very light but much less unbustable than aluminum. The pole shows wear against shrouds, which I will now cover with leather at the point of contact. CF must be painted, or kept covered at all times against UV: a luxury piece of kit for singlehanders, but one which needs babying.
The control line that sets the length of the telescoping poles is under pressure at all times. The line chafed through where it formerly exited the raw hole. When that happens under sail, the pole collapses, breaks its stop, and jams. I was not the only boat that happened to last summer.
I think I could have done this modification myself, since the added stainless guide appears to be a stock piece of hardware.
It took Forespar six months to get around to sending the pole back, but they paid shipping both ways and were responsive.
Unrelated to the chafe issue: carbon fiber is very light but much less unbustable than aluminum. The pole shows wear against shrouds, which I will now cover with leather at the point of contact. CF must be painted, or kept covered at all times against UV: a luxury piece of kit for singlehanders, but one which needs babying.
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