spinnaker pole attachment - which way is up?

[allegr]

Have seen different approaches to spinnaker pole attachment; i.e. with the opening of the jaws facing up and, with the jaws facing down towards the deck. Good arguements either way.

The set up is standard, a pair of sheets, pair if guys, foreguy, topper. The pole has a bail which is located about 15 inches from the outer end of the pole which I assume is for the topping lift. This means the pole jaw opening would face down. The downhaul is attached ( I assume again ) at the very end of the pole with a single block attached with a snap shackle where I lead the foreguy line to the deck. However, the pole could be reversed so that the opening of the jaws face up and the associated foreguy and topper attached correspondingly.

So, which way will help tripping, with the jaw opening facing down towards the deck or up? Seems with the jaw opening facing down, the after guy will drop easier,.. if the after guy is eased prior to tripping. On the other hand. if the jaw opening faces up, it might be easier just to lower the pole down,... the after guy will spring up freely.

Thoughts and recommendations are appreciated; preferences for light vs heavy air spinn sailing, proven approach, etc.

[Jeff_H]

Jaw opening facing up.

[HighSeasHarry]

Jaws up. No two ways about it.

[zz4gta]

Originally Posted by allegr

Good arguments either way.

Nope. There's no argument for jaws facing down, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Those are the people who have never worked a foredeck. Jaws go up. All the time, every time. Otherwise, if the pole skies, it's locked in on the mast. Good way for things get fubar'd quickly.

What kind of boat do you have? Specifically the size.

[aarhus]

Nice timing; I had exactly the same question, but had not heard arguments for either one (learning stage).

Originally Posted by zz4gta

Nope. There's no argument for jaws facing down, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Those are the people who have never worked a foredeck. Jaws go up. All the time, every time. Otherwise, if the pole skies, it's locked in on the mast. Good way for things get fubar'd quickly.

What kind of boat do you have? Specifically the size.

The pole getting locked on the mast is a big argument... is it the only one for jaws facing up? Are there any for jaws facing down besides "it feels more comfortable"?

Edit: I'm on an H-boat, around 27ft.

[allegr]

Thanks to all with your comments, appreciate it.

Looks like all have confirmed which is the right approach; i.e. jaws facing up and with all of the comments it just seems right to now.

Thanks again1

[Faster]

Besides the "locked-on-mast" issue, with the pins up when you are gybing in any breeze at all the guy will lift out of the outboard jaws readily when you pull the pin. The guy would also be trapped except in really light air, requiring the pole to be rolled to release the guy if it was upside down.

[msmith10]

Faster is right- jaws open up lets the chute lift out of the pole. Conversely, when using a whisker pole, I face the outboard jaw opening down- the jib tends to fall out of the jaws when they're opened.