The Class Rules say: "The aluminum alloy spinnaker pole shall be measured with the pole on the mast ring in a horizonal position at 90 degrees to the fore aft centerline of the hull. It shall be no more than 9 feet 10 inches from the most extreme outboard end of the pole fitting to the forward, center face of the mast."

Is there an overall length that I can use without trying to interpret this? I am guessing the above language trys to deal with different mast ring sizes and end fittings?