i550class.org

...Bendoo built carbon offset with an external gybing pole .It's a 'carbon' copy of tokyo trash's one ,I'm told.
.....I REALLY like it,,especially the fact that in lighter winds at least it rotates to perpendicular,,with just the kevlar line holding it down to the bow-eye,,but works VERY well.
....other factors I like is..... there's no holes for water to leak
..........there's less 'construction involved..
....one less reason to climb inside that creepy 'coffin' cabin for maintenance .....thanks BEN.

Yeah, I agree. A bit less simple in terms of sailhandling but the trade-offs in DW boatspeed should be signif. Sorta wish I had gone that way, maybe the next i550 I build.

Until then I say: BAN THEM!!!! (articulating poles)

(just kidding)

If you have crew that can handle it, then an articulating pole should be faster setup. One thing to try to improve would be to lower the tack point of the jib as much as possible. Several ways to accomplish that. Shazza for instance pins his forestay toggle right to the pivot bolt (1/2" - 12mm size) instead of using a massive bow eye nut (heavy and not cheap). Also, the pole must be strong in compression mode but doesn't have to be as heavy duty as pole used without a bobstay. That's the line that goes from the tip of the pole down to the knuckle.

Cheers, Kevin.

...ah -bobstay- that's it!
...all interesting thoughts,,had a windy sail today,,not too many handling problems(for th'pole anyways!)