[quote=davefarmer]Not sure of the length of the pole on the EZ, but it's really convenient if the pole length is equal to the distance between the front of the mast and the intersection of the bridle wires and the forestay, so that when the mast is up, the forestay can be pinned without having to remove the gin pole. Once it's secure you can remove the device.
Pole length is less critical if you're using the trailer winch. My gin poles have a trailer winch mounted to the pole near the mast, with the line/cable running to a strong block at the pole tip. The line has a hook or shackle that connected to the trailer tongue just below the bridle intersection, or can connect to the ends of the bridle wires if the boat is on the ground. At the end of the pole I fashion a slot that the forestay can knock into above the thimble at the forestay's end, or a hook or shackle to connect to the forestay. The slot arrangement allows the thimble to be free to pin to the bridle wires without having to secure the mast temporarily with the jib halyard, while removing the gin pole.
There are two smallish lines from the end of the pole with snap hooks that connect to the ends of the main beam, to keep the pole tip in plane with the boat's centerline(and the mast). And of course, two trap wires are run to the beam ends as well to keep the mast in that plane.
The effort to build a gin pole will soon be forgotten as you become comfortable raising and lowering your mast safely and easily.[/quote]
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