A pole may be used to push out the clew of a headsail. A wisker-pole may be used for this purpose if it is banded to meet the above length restriction. Staysail overlap when hoisted cannot exceed the overlap of the largest headsail. When used, the staysail must be tacked to the deck or to the bowsprit. Often where measurements are required, differences of almost a foot are observed for boats that were believed to be identical.
Discrepancies often arise from use of published sail plans of manufacturers.
Although it may be possible to assign a base handicap without official observation and measurement, these procedures are practically required for fair racing since handicaps are based upon knowledge of a boat's standard hull, rig and sail dimensions, and interior characteristics. Normally, renewal of handicap and certificate does not require detailed verification, unless hull, interior, rig, or sails are modified. An owner's signature attesting to no changes since the original application suffices. A large penalty will be applied to a boat's base handicap if measurements are not completely reported. When it is discovered that a boat's measurements and characteristics are reported in a fashion to advantage its final sailing number an issued certificate will be revoked and not renewed.