Have become quite interested in using a whisker pole to hold the jib out when coastal sailing virtually dead downwind, I haven't tried it yet on my current boat, slightly complicated as I cant connect the inboard end of a pole to the front of the mast, because main is lashed to the mast. But that's ok, I think I have that worked out.
Have seen a few utube vids where pole is completely independent ie it is set, then a additional single longer line is used like a jib sheet, normal jib sheets are still left on loose. longer line can be dumped & can resume sailing with shorter lines at any time, while pole remains set, seems like a good idea.
My small jib, which I take down in over 22kts is about 2900mm from luff to clew, so would a pole about 3200mm be good (I have an old spinnaker pole, I suppose that would be ok?
What do others do, any other thoughts on using a whisker pole?
cheers