This item is hypothetical and NOT subject to any protest. Please let me know if there is any issue. Which rule (if any) makes it illegal to help wing the jib with a boom crutch or other stick, and in this specific situation, does RRS 55.3 apply?
The boat/class in question has a jib boom, so the winging would not need to control the sheets specifically, and could simply push on the boom or the sail itself. The fleet has the following class rule which may or may not be relevant to using a different piece of equipment: image.png15 KB
First check definitions from The Equipment Rules of Sailing
F 1.3 Spar(s)
The main structural part(s) of the rig to which sails are connected. It
includes its fittings and any corrector weights.
F 1.4 (d)(ii) WHISKER POLE
A spar attached to the mastspar and connected to a headsail
clew.
C 6.3 (g) CONNECT
To bring together or into contact so that a real link is established by
which one item affects the function of the other; therefore includes
“attached to” and “sheeted to” the corner of the sail.
A boom crutch may be used as a whisker pole if it connects to the mast and the headsail clew. If it is merely pushing on the jib boom or sail itself, it is not a whisker pole.
The next question would be whether it meets the minimum length.
The last issue is whether the "real link" required to be a connector requires attachment to the mast or sail. I think I would argue that to be a connector, it must be a continuous connector while deployed, by which I mean it can't merely be wedged between the sail clew and the mast, but must stay attached to the clew even if the sail is eased.
I would say if it meets those 4 conditions--length, material, "connects" to mast, "connects" to headsail clue--it is a legal whisker pole.
Niko .. let me get this straight. The class in question has a jib boom (self-tacking setup). What we are asking to do is not attach anything to the sail .. but to attach to the jib-boom at some location along the jib-boom to hold it out down-wind?
I know several boats that do that with a hydraulic piston that they buy at an auto parts store (same piston that holds open your hatchback. The anchor one side of the piston on the centerline of the bow and the other somewhere along the jib-boom. It does a nice job and if sized and installed correctly ... it doesn't put up a fight when tacking or gybing to get the boom across.
55.3 definitely applies, so you can't apply pressure from your device outside the sheerline. If the jib tack is right on the stem that means pretty much anywhere on the boom is going to be prohibited. What you can do depends on the fine detail of the setup. Suggest you post what the actual class is and class rules. On many modern Int Canoes, for instance, the jib boom projects beyond the tack to be used as a vang, and one may also attach lines or shock cord to act as a sort of reverse sheet.
F 1.3 Spar(s)
F 1.4 (d)(ii) WHISKER POLE
C 6.3 (g) CONNECT
A boom crutch may be used as a whisker pole if it connects to the mast and the headsail clew. If it is merely pushing on the jib boom or sail itself, it is not a whisker pole.
The next question would be whether it meets the minimum length.
The last issue is whether the "real link" required to be a connector requires attachment to the mast or sail. I think I would argue that to be a connector, it must be a continuous connector while deployed, by which I mean it can't merely be wedged between the sail clew and the mast, but must stay attached to the clew even if the sail is eased.
I would say if it meets those 4 conditions--length, material, "connects" to mast, "connects" to headsail clue--it is a legal whisker pole.
I know several boats that do that with a hydraulic piston that they buy at an auto parts store (same piston that holds open your hatchback. The anchor one side of the piston on the centerline of the bow and the other somewhere along the jib-boom. It does a nice job and if sized and installed correctly ... it doesn't put up a fight when tacking or gybing to get the boom across.