From time to time I will put into my blog some equipment/rigging items that I have been busy working on in order to improve the performance and safety of Si Bon. The latest rigging improvement to Si Bon is a Whisker pole, a whisker pole, once deployed holds the Genoa (AKA; jib, headsail) out on one side of the boat while the Main Sail is put on the other side of the boat and held in place with a preventer. this sail configuration is used when sailing with the wind (downwind). The Sailing term for this is "wing on wing", I believe that my European friends will refer to it as "goosewing".
During our sail back from Catalina we deployed Si Bon's new whisker Pole for the first time, and after much help/advice from the crew we were sailing along at 7 Knots with the auto pilot on, we were able to continue along like this for about 6-7 hours. Everyone on board agreed that is was one of the most pleasant sailing experiences ever.