Retro Fit spinnaker pole Bav 46?

[Blue Heeler 1]

We have a new to us Bavaria 46 cruiser (2005), she is great but sailing downwind is hopeless with no spinnaker pole.  We want to fit one to pole out the genoa or also use a chute or spinnaker.  We are planning on a lot of downwind sailing across the Atlantic soon!  Does anyone have any experience retro fitting a pole?  I have seen the standard system on a Bavaria 44 from 2006, but wondering if anyone has any experience with this?  Either off the shelf or piecing one together and self installing?
cheers

[dawntreader]

I'm about to go down this route on my B37 over this Winter. If I can't get the yard to do it in reasonable time I will go down the 'self assembly' route. I will post an update on my findings.
Are you crossing this year or next?

[nornie lees]

I will be watching this tread closely as im thinking getting a pole and chute this winter for my bav37 2002.
 
Has anybody bought tube, fittings, and riveted them up themselves?  Only a rigger told me once its a lot cheaper.

rgds Ray

[dawntreader]

The yard told me it's £40 per hour each for two fitters and will take half a day. They are paid from when they leave and it's and hour drive each way to my boat - £480 labour (+ VAT?). I am planning to do the installation work myself and am just waiting for the quotation for the parts (which will now include a Selden Bowsprit  . I will post an update as and when.

[Salty]

Have you considered going down the route of using an ATN Tacker instead of a spinnaker pole ?
I've got one and have used it single handed along with a snuffer, and have found it very easy to use in light winds. Up to now I've not tried using it in anything above force 2 to 3 where an extra pair of hands might make a difference
The following web address shows the item and they have a short video demonstrating its use
www.atninc.com/atn-tacker-sailing-equipment.shtml
I can confirm that it is as easy to use as the demonstration video shows. They are sold in the UK by Seateach, and I guess you would need the largest of the three sizes on offer. I had been looking at getting a spinnaker pole, but after using the Tacker the idea of a spinnaker pole has gone out of the window.
Good luck with whichever system you choose.

[dawntreader]

Salty,
Thanks, I have already used the tacker for a couple of years now and am happy with its performance. However, with only the two of us on board and only me to go forwards  it makes interesting work launching/recovering the cruising chute. As this is so demanding we don't use it as much as we should. With the furler this should change and I expect to get significantly more use in future.

I am still waiting for the quote - how long do these guys need to do this? It's been a week already 

[dawntreader]

The Selden agent has quoted me £455 (inc VAT) for the mast track system parts (excluding pull line) and a fitting cost of £48 (inc VAT) per hour for each fitter - needs 2 for 5 hours. I will do the install myself 

They failed to quote for the bowsprit  but I know this is about £405 for the bowsprit and £65 for the custom bracket (for attaching to existing furler anchor plate).

[Anthony]

Made my own spinnaker pole; very easy. Bought 80mm aluminium tube from major aluminium wholesaler which sells minimum 6m lengths, easy to shorten with hacksaw.
End fittings to suit available from chandler,  made from cast aluminium so simply use aluminium rivets. rivet  saddles at ends and centre for toplift and downhaul then make up continous rope for releases and wire or rope for toplift/ downhaul. I also considered filling the tube with expanding foam for flotation.

[Lazy Pelican]

I have a Forespar adjustable Spinaker Pole for sale @ ?200. Dims: 3.75m fully closed, adjustable 4.9m to 6.7m. It's to big for our B39 but should be about right for a B46. Presently in Preveza.

John