Whisker poles are used for non-spinnaker class racing and short-handed cruising, or whenever downwind performance is desired without the use of conventional spinnakers. A properly sized and deployed whisker pole will allow the headsail to add considerable power and speed to downwind sailing.
If you need to get downwind and have a conventional non-planing hull, flying a jib, genoa or asymmetrical sail with a whisker pole is the fastest, smoothest and easiest way to get there.
Sailing downwind is a great way to get to your destination whether racing or cruising. Using a whisker pole to hold your jib or genoa and go wing on wing is the best use of the combination of both the main and foresail.
