Which Stiffy push pole is right for me?
Please refer to our guide here to determine which push pole is right for you.
What length push pole is right for me?
Most customers pushing from the deck of their boat will find a 12′ to 16′ push pole suitable.
If you’re poling from a tower, you’ll likely need a longer pole, somewhere between 20′ and 24′. The best length depends on water depth and bottom conditions.
Do our push poles float?
Yes, our poles will float. If your pole gets away from you it will float.
Can you break a Stiffy push pole?
Yes, it’s possible to break a Stiffy push pole. They are not meant to be used as levers. Forcing a bend in the pole over a short distance can cause it to snap.
Can broken Stiffy push poles be repaired?
Yes, broken Stiffy push poles can be repaired. Order a ferrule repair kit and follow the instructions to reassemble your pole and make it watertight again.
What is the longest push pole you can ship?
We can ship push poles up to 24′ long. However, shipping costs increase significantly for longer poles due to freight shipping requirements. Anything over 8’ in packaged length will have to ship LTL on a freight truck. This can get costly quick. We can ship sections up to 8’ boxed length via UPS, FedEx, etc. for an acceptable rate.
Will sunlight damage my push pole?
Yes it will. We add UV inhibitor to our resin mix for optimal sun protection. Even with these inhibitors our poles outer layer of resin will eventually break down with exposure to sunlight. We recommend you store your Stiffy push pole out of the sunlight when not in use.
Can a pole damaged by sunlight be repaired?
Yes, you can repair sun-damaged poles by sanding and repainting them. Check out our painting instructions for more details.
What paint should I use to paint the pole?
You can use either brush-on or spray paint. Look for a paint with good UV protection and flexibility. Many customers have had success with appliance paint.
Can multi-piece push pole sections be interchanged?
No, multi-piece push pole sections are hand-fitted and cannot be interchanged.
Will a Stiffy push pole get a set or bend in the pole if left in the pole holders?
To prevent warping, we recommend unhooking the middle clip when storing your pole. If you do leave the pole in the clips it could develop an arc in it. To correct this, rotate the pole 180 degrees and stow it in the holders. This will pull the pole back towards being straight again when it comes out of the pole holders.
How do I know where to mount the push pole holders on my boat?
Most push poles will be carried on the starboard gunnel of the boat. We recommend 3 holders for most of the poles. The stern and midship clips should be in line and allow you to still access hatches or cleats. The front clip should follow the contour of the box of the boat. Each boat is different, you must lay it out on the boat to find the best position for each clip.
Should I use bungees with push pole clips to hold the pole?
Yes, we recommend bungees on all 3 clips. Vibration and bumps can cause the pole to flex and pop out of a clip.
What is proper direction to put the pole in the clips?
Always insert the pole with the foot towards the bow. This helps prevent the pole from sliding out of the front clip.
Do Stiffy push pole holders come with mounting hardware?
Yes, Stiffy push pole clip sets come with tapping screws to use when mounting. Occasionally a customer might need to use bolts in place of these tapping screws. Bolts are not provided with the sets of clips.
Which push pole holders should I use?
We offer 2 types of push pole holders for stowing your Stiffy push pole on your boat. The first is our traditional c-style of clip. This holder has a 2”x3” footprint. Our other push pole holder is a removable post style holder. The footprint for our new holder is a 1” round circle. Which holder is right for you depends on the boat gunnel and personal preference. How much flat surface do you have to work with where you are installing the pole holder.
Does the ramrod transom sleeve come with mounting hardware?
No, the ram rod sleeves do not come with mounting hardware. you’ll need to provide four ¼” diameter bolts, the length of which will depend on your transom or deck thickness. Use large fender washers or a backing plate to distribute the load.
Does the ramrod transom sleeve come with mounting hardware?
No, the ram rod sleeves do not come with mounting hardware. you’ll need to provide four ¼” diameter bolts, the length of which will depend on your transom or deck thickness. Use large fender washers or a backing plate to distribute the load.
Will the ramrod float?
No, the ramrod is solid fiberglass rod and will sink. We recommend attaching a line with a float on the ramrod. This way if it dropped overboard you can find the float and recover the ramrod.
What colors are the Shaw wings available in?
We offer Shaw wings in either black or white
What size Shaw wing is right for my boat and motor?
We offer four sizes to fit most outboard motors. Refer to our size chart, but keep in mind that you may need to adjust the size based on your boat and motor combination.
9.9 to 25 hp small
- 30 to 60 hp small long
- 70-115 hp medium
- 130 and above Large
If you have a key slot transom you may need to drop down a size to restrict the steering. You are welcome to contact us and will be happy to help guide you to the right fit for your boat and motor.
Do you have to drill holes in the motor to mount the Shaw wing?
No, you do not drill any holes in the motor to mount the Shaw wing. We sandwich the factory cavitation plate between the 2 pieces of fiberglass that make the Shaw wing.
How does the Shaw wing affect the speed of my boat?
We have found the Shaw wing has little effect on the speed of the boat. Some boats may lose a few mph, while others may experience a slight increase.
Do I need a jack plate to use the Shaw wing?
Yes, you must have a jack plate or fixed setback to use a Shaw wing. You will need this for the spacing from the transom and to get the motor high enough to work properly. The Shaw wing must be on or above the surface of the water when on plane.
Can the Shaw wing be moved from one motor to another?
The Shaw wing can be removed and installed on another motor depending on the horsepower and brand of motor. We have over 200 motor templates that we use to cut the correct notch on each one. You might have to recut the notch in the middle of the plate to make it fit properly on the new motor. In some cases, the notch needs to be smaller. In this instance you will need a new Shaw wing.
Can the Shaw wing be painted?
Yes, you can sand and paint the Shaw Wing. The wing is finished with marine gelcoat. Just sand the surface and paint your Shaw wing whatever color you would like.
Does the Shaw wing need to be removed to service the lower unit?
No, we recommend notching around the trim tab anode prior to installation. If this is done the lower unit can be removed and reinstalled without removing the Shaw wing.
Can the Shaw wing be removed?
Yes, we use 3M 4200 sealant to help secure the Shaw wing to the motor. You can use a red hot putty knife to gently separate the Shaw wing from the motor lower unit.
Do I need to wait for the sealant to cure before running my new Shaw wing?
Yes, we recommend following 3M’s instruction of letting the sealant cure for 24 hours before using your new Shaw wing.
Will the Shaw Wing work below the surface of the water?
No, the Shaw Wing must be on the surface of the water while on plane. If you are too low the wing will shovel water over the transom into your boat. If will also eventually break the wing in 2 and pull it off the lower unit.
Will the Shaw Wing help reduce porpoising?
Yes, the Shaw wing is effective in reducing porpoising on most boats.
Will the Shaw wing allow more trimming of the motor?
Yes, the Shaw wing expands the trim range on most boat and motor combinations.
Will the Shaw wing increase water pressure?
Yes, the Shaw wing is designed to grab as much water as possible coming out from the bottom of the boat and direct it to the water pump intakes and the propeller.
Who owns FiberTex and Supply Inc.?
Kevin Shaw is the founder and owner of FiberTex and Supply Inc. We are a small business with 13 employees, where everyone feels like family.
Is Stiffy the company name?
No, Stiffy is the brand name. FiberTex and Supply Inc. is the company.
What else does FiberTex and Supply do?
FiberTex & Supply began as a fiberglass repair shop, and today, we provide full service for all trailer-able boats. With over 34 years of experience, our expertise covers everything from fiberglass repairs and upholstery to aluminum work, motor repairs, and rigging.
There’s virtually no aspect of your fiberglass boat that we can’t handle.
We are an authorized warranty repair center for more than 50 boat builders and have worked extensively with most major marine insurance companies. If you’re in South Texas and need professional boat services, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’d be happy to assist you.