<blockquote id=“quote”><font size=“1” face=“Verdana, Arial, Helvetica” id=“quote”>quote:<hr height=“1” noshade id=“quote”>Originally posted by ~tb
Dick, you mentioned using XC ski poles for rigs, which I have tried myself with so so success. What poles have you found that are good bang for the buck? I found some blanks on sale for 30 bucks a pair ($15 for a free standing mast aint bad). Another member of our club bought some SUPER light XC ski poles for $80/pair that are nicer than mine. Lighter and softer. . . almost the right flex. Please do share!
-Todd
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Todd -
first off, thanks for providing a price point. I (personally) think the reply was a bit “stiff” but understand Matt’s point - had price been included, it may have had a different reaction. Usually, “carbon fiber = big $$” - but in this case $5.00 isn’t so terrible. Add in the bearing and brass and I can see where initial reaction might have assumed a huge debit to purchase.
That said, I have only one problem with my ski-pole source - and that is a piggish, non-friendly reason for NOT naming names. I have no problem suggesting what to use - but others need to do a little leg-work to find sources. They (you) are free to contact any ski house, or ski-pole manufacturer to see if they have poles that would work, what sizes and as in my case, any “throw-aways”.
This brings me to my poles - after a bit of research and correspondence, I managed to find a “manufacturer” who was willing to send me (free !!!) as many pole sections that I wanted. They even picked up the shipping costs! Sure the poles were various sectional lengths, and most had broken tips near the basket end. Some were test poles, some were warranty replacement poles, and some were their own in-house R&D poles. Regardless - they were free to me and being a “pig” I am inclined to keep the supplier confidential. The last thing I would want is to have questions coming to them from all over the country/world for free products. They aren’t the only manufacturer, so anyone can contact their own sources to inquire about “trash” - just be polite and you may be surprised. The other thing, is some may be so unscrupulous as to get the base product for free, trim to length and then turn-around and market the product.
Specificlly, you should seek competition poles that are carbon fiber. Don’t get “recreational” ones - look for the “pro” grades as they are extremely stiff to prevent bend when pushing. When racing, flex in poles is not desireable and at the pro level the less is better. This translates into very stiff mast sections for us. My mast base is about 1/2 inch and tapers to just under 3/8 at the tip.
I also found a different company that sells two poles (blanks - no tips, no handles) for about $90 and as I recall they are about 6 feet total length. I will need to look them up at home to find name and verify cost. Sounds like you too have found a decent price point for blanks.
Like the goose that laid the golden egg - no one wants to give away sources for “free” stuff. I have no problems with noting names of places where you have to pay for the product and it is reasonably priced. A few internet searches will provide a wealth of information, and then it is a simple matter to contact them and ask… of course, my masts “will” carry their logo decal since we can advertise in the multihull classes.
Here is a site that offers all sorts of materials. Every once in a while they have something for us r/s sailors. Minimum order is $10.00, but often I find other uses for the stuff. I have purchased 1/2 inch thick rubber anti-fatigue matting for horse stall floors and to hang on walls for our foaling stalls to keep the new, little ones from getting hurt when first born. Also can use it for bow bumpers. Place is called “MaterialScraps” - and you need to check often as products come and go. http://www.materialscraps.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv
Hope you understand my reservations on posting a company name that has gone out of their way to send me their “free trash” which I was able to use for a different application.
