Forespar

Overview

Forespar Products Corporation manufactures marine hardware and products for sailing and powerboating, including spinnaker poles, whisker poles, and furling systems. It operates as the largest such manufacturer in the western United States with worldwide distribution to yacht owners and builders.¹²⁵

History

Robert Foresman founded Forespar Products Corporation in 1966 to produce a telescoping whisker pole for sailboats.⁴⁶ The company expanded to hundreds of products, becoming a diversified supplier of sailing and boating gear.⁴ It maintains operations from its Southern California headquarters, incorporating CAD/CAM design, machine shop, and composite processing.²⁵

Product Lines

Manufacturing

Products are manufactured at the company's facility in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, including a full machine shop, plastic injection molding, composite spar shop, aluminum spar shop, and 80' paint booth.²⁵⁷ Approximately 95% of products are made in-house at this plant.⁷

Notable Products

• Telescoping Whisker Pole - Original product designed for sailboats to handle spinnakers.
• Leisure Furl - In-boom mainsail furling system for easy sail management.
• Marelon Fittings - Corrosion-free marine plumbing parts.
• Spinnaker Poles - Aluminum and carbon fiber poles for racing and cruising.
• Nova Davits - Davit systems for dinghy and equipment handling.

Reputation

Forespar is recognized among boaters for durable, innovative products like poles and fittings that address specific marine needs.¹² Professionals value its in-house California manufacturing for quality control.⁵⁷ Employee counts suggest a small, specialized operation, with limited public reviews available.³⁸