Using a telescoping whisker pole to stabilize your headsail allows it to work more efficiently: it improves downwind drive, increases your downwind speed, and eliminates setting and tending a spinnaker—plus the headsail will set to prime position without constant helm correction and sheeting. Recommended pole sizes allow a margin of extra strength. Skimping on size could cause the pole to fail due to sudden compression overload and bending, so choose a pole that falls within both the length and diameter ranges for your boat size. Boats with relatively heavy displacement or bowsprits should use the next larger pole.