[QUOTE=name='steelfan' date='Aug 13 2007, 08:45 PM' post='11858']
Hello,
Steelfan ,
I had the same need - luck stepped in ! In the marina where I kept my Cat. I found a couple of wind surfer masts that had been abandoned.
In a chandler I found a black ABS boat hook fitting (no pole) which coincidently fitted the thin end of the mast (this was glued on with epoxy)
At the fat end I inserted a wooden plug and drilled a hole about an 25mm from the bottom through the mast and plug. I then threaded about a metre's worth of 8mm line through the hole.
To pole out the Genoa : insert the pointy end into the clew cringle ( the genoapolingout pole now lies horizontal - more or less above the life lines) The fat end of the pole is tied on to the mast or even on to the boom - if you can . Forgot something else : attach a length of 1/4 inch (6mm) line to the clew - not the pole - bring this back along the outside of the pole and bend it on to the fat end's line, thus ensuring that the thin end stays in the clew.
I used that system for hundreds and hundreds of sea miles in light winds.
Richard
PS when not poling , the extra long boat hook was great for picking up lines etc..