Ronstan spinnaker pole ends are the end fittings that grip the corner of a spinnaker or headsail and hold it in shape while the pole is flying. There are two families: outboard ends that open on a trip line and close automatically on a trigger, and inboard ends built for dip-pole setups, with acetal sleeves available to adapt either to a range of tube diameters.
Ronstan spinnaker pole ends at a glance
| Fitting | Body / hardware | Suits inner tube dia. | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outboard pole end | Anodized aluminum body, grade 316 stainless hardware | 45.8 mm & 64.5 mm | Keelboat, trip-line open / auto-close |
| Inboard pole end (RONRF1666 / RONRF1667) | Acetal body, grade 316 stainless hardware | 73.8 mm & 95.9 mm | Dip-pole setups; suits RONRC13046 pole car |
| Acetal sleeves | Acetal | 47.5 / 55.8 mm (RF1664); 73.8 / 95.9 mm (RF1665) | Adapt an end fitting to a different tube dia. |
What is a spinnaker pole end and why does it matter?
The end fittings are among the most important parts of a spinnaker or whisker pole: they hold the spinnaker or headsail so it flies in good shape and they carry the high loads a pole sees in a breeze. A well-made end lets you trust the pole in heavy air while keeping the system simple to work on the foredeck. Ronstan's current range is built to give racers that confidence with high-quality, lightweight materials and a clean finish.
How does the outboard pole end work?
The outboard end has an anodized aluminum body with grade 316 stainless steel hardware, one of the strongest stainless grades used in marine applications. It is designed for 45.8 mm and 64.5 mm inner diameter poles, and it can be adapted to other diameters with acetal sleeves. Keelboat outboard ends are opened with an internal trip line and close automatically when the integrated trigger is depressed. Provided holes suit a shackle or rope loop for the topping lift and foreguy, an isolating bush keeps the piston travel smooth and protects against corrosion, and an integral ball-bearing swivel handles the trip-line attachment.
How does the inboard pole end differ?
The inboard end uses an acetal body with grade 316 stainless hardware and is built for a dip-pole setup on 73.8 mm and 95.9 mm inner diameter poles. Both inboard models, RONRF1666 and RONRF1667, are designed to suit the RONRC13046 spinnaker pole car, so the pole can be raised and lowered on the mast track as part of a dip-pole system.
What are the acetal sleeves for, and which do I need?
The sleeves are made of acetal, a material with high mechanical strength and rigidity, and they adapt an end fitting to suit different pole diameters. There are two standard types: sleeves for the RONRF1664 outboard end that fit tubes with 47.5 mm and 55.8 mm inner diameter, and sleeves for the RONRF1665 outboard end that fit tubes with 73.8 mm and 95.9 mm inner diameter. Custom sizes can be requested if your tube falls outside those standards.
Which Ronstan pole end should I choose?
Match the fitting to your pole diameter and setup. If you run a keelboat with a trip-line pole in the 45.8–64.5 mm range, choose the outboard end and add a sleeve if your tube is a slightly different size. If you run a dip-pole system with a larger 73.8 mm or 95.9 mm pole on a mast track, choose the inboard RONRF1666 or RONRF1667 to suit the RONRC13046 pole car. When the tube size doesn't match exactly, the acetal sleeves are the simple way to close the gap.
Frequently asked questions
What are Ronstan spinnaker pole ends made of?
The outboard end has an anodized aluminum body with grade 316 stainless hardware, while the inboard end uses an acetal body with grade 316 stainless hardware. The adapter sleeves are molded from acetal.
How do the outboard pole ends open and close?
They are opened with an internal trip line and close automatically when the integrated trigger is depressed, so the crew can release and capture the sail with a single line.
What pole diameters do they fit?
Outboard ends are designed for 45.8 mm and 64.5 mm inner diameter poles; inboard ends for 73.8 mm and 95.9 mm. Acetal sleeves adapt the fittings to intermediate sizes (47.5 / 55.8 mm for RF1664 and 73.8 / 95.9 mm for RF1665).
Which end works with a dip-pole system?
The inboard ends RONRF1666 and RONRF1667 are built for dip-pole setups and suit the RONRC13046 spinnaker pole car.
Can I get a sleeve for a non-standard tube size?
Yes. Beyond the standard sleeve sizes, custom acetal sleeves can be requested to match a pole tube that falls outside the standard diameters.
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