Spinnaker Pole Mast Eyes

Mast Eyes, or Spinnaker Pole Eyes (or Rings), are used on the front of the mast to attach a Spinnaker Pole or a Whisker Pole, and/or on the side of the Mast to attach a Whisker Pole or Reaching Strut. In both cases they are placed so as to allow the Pole to fly at 90° to the Mast when attached to the sail.

On the front of the Mast, the use of a moveable Spinnaker Car, rather than a fixed Mast Eye, is preferred as it allows adjustment of the pole's inboard end, necessary for maximum sail efficiency over a range of conditions and with a variety of sails. As they eliminate any adjustment, fixed Mast Eyes are suitable for use with one size sail only (or a furling sail in one position only). For Spinnaker Poles, fixed Mast Eyes dictate the use of an end for end jibing procedure. Note that some One-Design classes allow the use of multiple Mast Eyes.

On the side of the Mast, fixed Mast Eyes are used to attach a Whisker Pole or Reaching Strut.

As there are a wide variety of Mast contours, especially in the front of the Mast, most Mast Eyes listed on this page are "Universal", that is they come close to fitting most Mast Sections, and will often have to be bent, bedded or otherwise modified to fit. Section Specific Mast Eyes are available to fit most Kenyon and Isomat Masts, and are listed on individual Mast Section pages, See Kenyon Mast Sections, or Isomat Mast Sections. Z-Spar Mast Eyes are listed separately, See Z-Spar Mast Eyes.
Other Mast Eyes are listed below.

On larger boats Reaching Struts usually use a variety of Brackets with Pins to fit the special inboard ends available. See Reaching Strut Mast Fittings.

See also: Spinnaker Cars, and Spinnaker Poles.


Plastic Mast Eyes

Plastic Mast Eye - Small: For PE-1P: Small, Black molded Lexan Mast Eye has 1/4" Ring with a 5/8" ID. Base is 1 3/4" high x 1 3/8" wide, and attaches to Mast with (2) #8 (5/32") FH screws on 1" (vertical) centers. Suitable for use on Curved surfaces.
Plastic Mast Eye - Large: NF 10073: Black molded Mast Eye has 5/16" Ring with a 1" ID. Base is 1 3/4" high x 1 11/16" wide, and attaches to Mast with (2) 3/16" RH screws on 1 1/8" (vertical) centers. Glass-filled Nylon Mast Eye is suitable for use on Curved or Flat surfaces.

Mast Eyes for Flat Surfaces

Aluminum Mast Eye w/ SS Bail for Flat Surfaces: NF 13672: Cast Aluminum Mast Eye with SS Bail is designed for use on Flat surfaces, integral 5/16" SS Bail has 1 1/2" ID. Flat Base is 3" high x 2 1/2" (maximum) wide, and attaches to Mast with (4) 1/4" FH screws on 2 3/8" (vertical) x 1 5/16" (horizontal) centers. With Black Epoxy finish.
SS Mast Eye for Flat Surfaces: For PE-3SF: Stainless Steel Mast Eye is designed for use on Flat surfaces, welded 5/16" SS Ring has 1 3/4" ID. Flat Base is 2" high x 2 3/4" wide, and attaches to Mast with (4) 1/4" screws or rivets on 1 3/8" (vertical) x 2 1/8" (horizontal) centers.
Large SS Mast Eye for Flat Surfaces: RF 41AX: Stainless Steel Mast Eye is designed for use on Flat surfaces, large welded 7/16" SS Ring has 1 3/4" ID. Flat Base is 1 3/4" high x 2 3/4" wide, and attaches to Mast with (4) 3/16" screws or rivets on 1 1/8" (vertical) x 2 1/8" (horizontal) centers.
SS Mast Eye w/ Struts for Flat Surfaces: For PE-3SF-HD: Heavy-duty Stainless Steel Mast Eye is designed for use on Flat surfaces, 3/8" SS Ring has 1 3/4" ID, and welded reinforcing struts. Flat Base is 2" high x 2 3/4" wide, and attaches to Mast with (4) 1/4" screws or rivets on 1 3/8" (vertical) x 2 1/8" (horizontal) centers. mmm	m

Mast Eyes for Curved Surfaces

Aluminum Mast Eye for Curved Surfaces: For PE-2ACX: Cast Aluminum Mast Eye is designed for use on slightly Curved surfaces, integral 7/16" Ring has 1 1/16" ID. Base is 3 1/8" high x 2 1/4" (maximum) wide, and attaches to Mast with (4) 1/4" FH screws on 2 1/2" (vertical) x 1 1/4" (horizontal) centers. Base has slight curve to better fit rounded surfaces. With Grey anodized finish.
Aluminum Mast Eye w/ SS Bail for Curved Surfaces: NF 13671: Cast Aluminum Mast Eye with SS Bail is designed for use on slightly Curved surfaces, integral 5/16" SS Bail has 1 1/2" ID. Base is 3" high x 2 1/2" (maximum) wide, and attaches to Mast with (4) 1/4" FH screws on 2 3/8" (vertical) x 1 5/16" (horizontal) centers. Base has slight curve to better fit rounded surfaces. With Black Epoxy finish.
SS Mast Eye for Curved Surfaces: For PE-3SC: Stainless Steel Mast Eye is designed for use on Curved surfaces, welded 5/16" SS Ring has 1 3/4" ID. Base is 2" high x 2 3/4" wide, and attaches to Mast with (4) 1/4" screws or rivets on 1 3/8" (vertical) x 2 1/8" (horizontal) centers. Base is slightly bent to better fit rounded surfaces.
SS Mast Eye for 1 3/4" dia. Surface: RF 30: Stainless Steel Mast Eye is designed for use on Masts with a 1 3/4" (45mm) diameter forward side. Welded 1/4" SS Bail has 1 3/16" (30mm) ID. Diamond-shaped base is (maximum) 1 3/8" high x (approximately) 2 7/16" wide, and attaches to Mast with (4) 3/16" screws or rivets on 1 1/16" (vertical) x 3" centers. Base can be bent to fit slightly different diameters. As used on Kenyon 2331, and similar Mast Sections. K-303CR
Large SS Mast Eye for 2 3/8" dia. Surface: RF 602: Stainless Steel Mast Eye is designed for use on Masts with a 2 3/8" (60mm) diameter forward side. Welded 5/16" (8mm) SS Bail has 1 3/8" (35mm) ID. Base is 2" high x (maximum) 2 3/4" wide, and attaches to Mast with (4) 3/16" screws or rivets on 1 5/8" (vertical) x 3" centers. Base can be bent to fit slightly different diameters.
SS Mast Eye w/ Struts for 3 1/8" dia. Surface: RF 41: Heavy-duty Stainless Steel Mast Eye is designed for use on Masts with a 3 1/8" (80mm) diameter forward side. Welded 7/16" SS Ring has 1 3/4" (44mm) ID, and welded reinforcing struts. Base is (maximum) 2" high x (approximately) 3 1/4" wide, and attaches to Mast with (4) 1/4" screws or rivets on 1 3/8" (vertical) x 3 3/8" centers. Base can be bent to fit slightly different diameters.
Large SS Mast Eye for Curved Surface: Sch 92-11X: Large Stainless Steel Mast Eye is designed for use on the sides of larger Masts with a slight curve. Welded 7/16" SS Bail has 1 1/2" ID. Diamond-shaped base is 3 3/4" high x 4 3/4" wide, and attaches to Mast with (4) 3/16" screws or rivets on 2 1/2" (vertical) x 3 1/2" (horizontal) centers.

Spars, Rigging, and Hardware for Sailboats