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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Initially Posted - 12/04/2003 : 22:44:22

Sailing wing on wing has come up again in the 25 forum, I wanted to get additional input so I am posting this here. In Sep I was sailing next to a Hobie convert in his Catalina 22. He was having a really hard time going wing on wing. Our Commodore sailed up along side us in his Catalina 28 and commented that he did not really know how to sail wing on wing either. I explained that the trick to sustaining it is to have the wind coming over the same quarter as your boom. (No I have never rigged a preventer, and only use a whisker when I have crew.) It allows you to keep the "shoulder" of the headsail from breaking as often or as badly. neither of them were willing to have the wind come over the same quarter as their boom, gybe fear, I tried to convince them but finally sailed away, wing on wing, leaving them trying unsuccessfully to play their headsails. The gave up and reached off.
Have I developed a style that is contrary to what most people do? I have always sailed wing on wing while single handing and always do it this way. How do you set your sails?

Edited by - on

Chip Hunt
Navigator

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120 Posts

Response Posted - 12/04/2003 : 22:58:20

if i am attempting to sail wing to wing, and my boom is on the stbd side, i will keep the wind just to the port of the centerline of the boat, and the headsail to port. in doing this, you are less likely to have the dreaded and embarrassing accidental gybe. having a relative wind indicator or windex at the top of the mast makes this exponentially easier. i simply watch the windex, and keep it pointed slightly opposite of the side that the boom is on.

Edited by - on

deastburn
Captain

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USA
334 Posts

Response Posted - 12/04/2003 : 23:06:36

C25's are not the easiest of boats in which to maintain a stable wing-on-wing. The boat is highly maneuverable, but, in common with most fin keel boats, lacks directional stability. Here are some of the ways I have discovered to compensate:

1) Forget trying it in a quartering or beam sea. The boat needs a relatively calm sea, or a fairly strong wind (15 knots min.) to stay successfully on a wing and wing.
2) Roller furling headsails, because of the weight of the sunbrella material, tend to be harder to hold full.
3) Rig a preventer so you won't worry about falling off to lee and having an accidental gybe.
4) Pole out the headsail. If you don't have a whisker pole, in very light winds, a boat hook works quite well.
5) In a seaway with stronger winds, it is often as quick (if you don't have a spinnaker) to tack and gybe downwind.
6) Even when it works over a long period of time, it is one of the more exhausting points of sail. When sufficiently tired, resolve to buy a full keel sailboat with some real directional stability next time around!

I am sure others have lots of really good suggestions.

Even given the above, for my money, a sailboat bearing down on you sailing successfully wing-on-wing is one of the handsomer sights on a summer's afternoon.

Edited by - on

wmeinert@kconline.com
Past Commodore

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USA
353 Posts

Response Posted - 12/05/2003 : 10:37:49

Two other considerations you must consider are the following.

1. Most people I have observed fail to push the boom all the way out to the spreaders. This is very important because the closer you can get the boom to 180 degrees the more stable you will be in light winds ( must use a preventer)

2. loosen the boom dowm haul at the mast and apply the boom vain to but more weight on the center of the boom, if you aren't carefull the weight of the main sheet block and main sheet are what realy pulls the boom over in light winds.

A velcrow strap assembly for a preventer works the best and is easier to come out of when your ready to tack or jibe.

Bill Meinert

Edited by - on

Sunshine Daydream
1st Mate

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57 Posts

Response Posted - 12/05/2003 : 10:43:41

[quote
A velcrow strap assembly for a preventer works the best
Bill Meinert[/quote]

Hi Bill,
Could you please explain how this is rigged.

Thanks,

Edited by - on

wmeinert@kconline.com
Past Commodore

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USA
353 Posts

Response Posted - 12/05/2003 : 11:43:35

To use a velcro preventer, take a peace of one inch webbing 1/16 inch thich sew the male and fremale (8") velcrow to and exact lenght needed to connect to your mid boom boomvain attachment point to the furtherst forward safety line stantion. If your stantion does not have a place at the base to attached a "D" or "O" ring, you may need to put a seperately mounted device. I personally use my fender cleats that are mounted on the head sail car rail. Its ver easy if you look at it closely. If my boat wasn't in the storage shed I would have sent you a picture.

Bill Meinert

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5932 Posts

Response Posted - 12/05/2003 : 11:51:23

People often turn downwind and ask, "Where did the wind go?" When you turn downwind, you begin moving the same direction as the wind, and the apparent wind is reduced to nearly zero. As a result, there isn't enough wind pressure on your sails to hold them out. That's why you need a pole to hold out the jib when running in light air. If there is any air movement at all, and if your sails are spread out across it, your boat will keep moving with it, even though your sails are hanging limply.

The boom holds the mainsail out, but in light air, the boom has an annoying tendency to swing from one side of the boat to the other. To reduce that tendency, move your crew over to the side of the boat that the boom is on. The weight will cause the boat to heel slightly on that side, and the outboard end of the boom will dip down closer to the water, and gravity will help hold it on that side of the boat. You can use a preventer to hold the boom over in light air if you wish, but, if you shift crew weight to heel the boat slightly, it probably won't be necessary. I don't like to use a preventer in moderate to strong wind, because it can cause you to broach or lose control of the boat, and the wind is strong enough to hold the boom over in those conditions. If the wind direction is shifting so widely in moderate to strong wind that there is a danger of an accidental gybe, my thinking is that, rather than setting a preventer, you should stop trying to sail wing and wing. Racers will continue in those conditions, but racing crew are generally more aware of the dangers of the boom in those conditions, and, because of my tall rig, I repeatedly and forcefully remind them to keep their heads down in those situations. I've never broken anything significant in an accidental gybe, but can tolerate a little hardware breakage, so long as nobody gets hurt. Unless you are sailing in conditions where the wind direction is swinging widely, you can prevent an accidental gybe by concentrating on steering the boat downwind and following any slight shifts in wind direction. More often than not, accidental gybes happen when the skipper has a lapse in concentration.

I like Bill Meinert's suggestion for a preventer, because it will let the boom go if the pressures on it are too strong, and you are less likely to lose control of the boat or broach, but you still have to keep reminding crew to keep their heads down. Nevertheless, if you shift your crew weight, you can almost always do without a preventer.

You can sail wing and wing with the wind slightly on either side of the stern, but the preferred way is to keep the wind on the opposite side as the boom, as Chip suggests. If you are racing, however, you will probably sail by the lee from time-to-time, not because it's fast, but because it is functional under some circumstances. For example, as you overtake another boat, you can sail by the lee a little bit, and maneuver the boat into a position so that you can gybe the boom, drop the whisker pole, and reach up to increase your speed and pass the other boat.

Years ago, I towed a disabled 19' power boat under sail, wing and wing, in a fresh breeze, and it was a pretty sight to see those big white sails all spread out against the blue sky. When we got to the channel leading into the gas docks, I gybed the boom and towed the disabled boat to the docks on a beam reach. When we got there, we released the tow line and let her coast up to the dock, and then we tacked smartly through 180 degrees and sailed back out the way we came in, to an unexpected round of applause from the bystanders on the docks and other boats.

Edited by - Steve Milby on 12/05/2003 11:59:35

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 12/05/2003 : 13:10:50

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Steve Milby
 I don't like to use a preventer in moderate to strong wind, because it can cause you to broach or lose control of the boat, and the wind is strong enough to hold the boom over in those conditions. If the wind direction is shifting so widely in moderate to strong wind that there is a danger of an accidental gybe, my thinking is that, rather than setting a preventer, you should stop trying to sail wing and wing.
Unless you are sailing in conditions where the wind direction is swinging widely, you can prevent an accidental gybe by concentrating on steering the boat downwind and following any slight shifts in wind direction. More often than not, accidental gybes happen when the skipper has a lapse in concentration.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I agree. As a lake sailor I find sailing to be an exercise in concentration. We are not planning a route, looking for waypoints, we are just locked on and sailing.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I like Bill Meinert's suggestion for a preventer, because it will let the boom go if the pressures on it are too strong, and you are less likely to lose control of the boat or broach, but you still have to keep reminding crew to keep their heads down. Nevertheless, if you shift your crew weight, you can almost always do without a preventer.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I have never used a preventer because of my fear of how badly things can go wrong with one. I agree that if you need one you should do something else. I do like the idea of a velcro preventer, it does sound like it would let go before the boat went into a spinning knock down/round up.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"> You can sail wing and wing with the wind slightly on either side of the stern, but the preferred way is to keep the wind on the opposite side as the boom, as Chip suggests. If you are racing, however, you will probably sail by the lee from time-to-time, not because it's fast, but because it is functional under some circumstances. For example, as you overtake another boat, you can sail by the lee a little bit, and maneuver the boat into a position so that you can gybe the boom, drop the whisker pole, and reach up to increase your speed and pass the other boat.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I am under the impression that you have spinnaker experience, would you agree that the "shoulder" of the head sail is easier to keep loaded, (not breaking) if the air is striking it as squarely as possible? So I put the air over the boom's quarter to square it off with the head sail. I usually have a 30-50 degree margin of error before I need to be concerned about the gybe.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Years ago, I towed a disabled 19' power boat under sail, wing and wing, in a fresh breeze, and it was a pretty sight to see those big white sails all spread out against the blue sky. When we got to the channel leading into the gas docks, I gybed the boom and towed the disabled boat to the docks on a beam reach. When we got there, we released the tow line and let her coast up to the dock, and then we tacked smartly through 180 degrees and sailed back out the way we came in, to an unexpected round of applause from the bystanders on the docks and other boats.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Memories are made of this!

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5932 Posts

Response Posted - 12/05/2003 : 14:48:30

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I am under the impression that you have spinnaker experience,<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Unfortunately not. Last year I skippered a friend's J-24 with spinnaker and had a really great time. I learned a little bit about the spinnaker, but have a lot more to learn, although we did very well. I've seen Catalina 25's with spinnakers, and the tall rig spinnaker is impressively huge.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"> ...would you agree that the "shoulder" of the head sail is easier to keep loaded, (not breaking) if the air is striking it as squarely as possible? So I put the air over the boom's quarter to square it off with the head sail. I usually have a 30-50 degree margin of error before I need to be concerned about the gybe.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Depending on how you set the whisker pole (i.e., between the forward lower stay and the upper stay, or forward of the forward lower stay) you can sail by the lee or you can head up onto a reach, or on any point of sail in between. The pole should be set and the sails trimmed depending on the course you intend to sail.

Derek Crawford generally sets his pole forward of the forward lower stay. I set mine either way, but more often I set it between the forward lower and the upper. How you trim the sails depends on which way you set the pole. And, unlike some people, I don't have any qualms about sailing by the lee, if it gives me an advantage in the particular situation.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 12/05/2003 : 15:46:59

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Steve Milby
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I am under the impression that you have spinnaker experience,<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Unfortunately not. Last year I skippered a friend's J-24 with spinnaker and had a really great time. I learned a little bit about the spinnaker, but have a lot more to learn, although we did very well. I've seen Catalina 25's with spinnakers, and the tall rig spinnaker is impressively huge.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"> ...would you agree that the "shoulder" of the head sail is easier to keep loaded, (not breaking) if the air is striking it as squarely as possible? So I put the air over the boom's quarter to square it off with the head sail. I usually have a 30-50 degree margin of error before I need to be concerned about the gybe.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Depending on how you set the whisker pole (i.e., between the forward lower stay and the upper stay, or forward of the forward lower stay) you can sail by the lee or you can head up onto a reach, or on any point of sail in between. The pole should be set and the sails trimmed depending on the course you intend to sail.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I only use a whisker when I have crew which is seldom. Keeping the sail full by playing the sheet is the art and fun of it. I grab the sheet and hold it shoulder high, (directly from the block). It is great exercise and makes the sensation of playing the sail very satisfying. It is like using a chute. Once a shoulder collapses you have to let the sail way out to get it to fill again, playing the sail is why I sail wing on wing. Remember we have no where to go, a long tack for us is 30 minutes.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 12/05/2003 : 16:07:07

When I sail wing on wing, I sail keeping the windex perpendicular to the boom which helps keep the boom on it's side of the boat.

A note on preventers...most ocean racers, singlehanded racers,...etc use preventers and/or boom brakes, especially in rough weather, to tame the boom.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 12/05/2003 : 18:08:53

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Don Lucier

North Star
1980 C25 SR/FK
MK V Mod 2 Rev 9<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Didn't you for get "improved"

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5932 Posts

Response Posted - 12/05/2003 : 18:16:16

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">A note on preventers...most ocean racers, singlehanded racers,...etc use preventers and/or boom brakes, especially in rough weather, to tame the boom.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
The conditions encountered in ocean racing and inland lake racing are obviously very different. Ocean racers often enjoy fairly consistent winds and stay on the same course for many hours. Lake sailors often have very shifty winds and, on a good day, might stay on the same course for 15-30 minutes. Ocean racers are usually separated from other boats by long distances. Lake sailors are often within a boat length or two of their competitors. If your boat broaches, it's much more dangerous if your competitors are near you. Ocean racers commit big money to their sport, and can probably afford to damage their boats. We lake sailors do not. Ocean racers are often so gung-ho that they push their boats and crews beyond the dictates of good judgment. Most lake racers do not. If I were into ocean racing, I might use a preventer in appropriate circumstances, but I have used them on inland lakes enough times to believe that they have a big potential for causing problems, and they usually offer a small benefit, whether you're racing or just messing around.
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I only use a whisker when I have crew which is seldom.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I frequently use a pole when I single hand my boat in light or moderate winds. I replaced the whisker with a piston clip, so that the pole has clips on both ends. I set the tiller tamer, run forward and clip one end of the pole to the jibsheet and the other end to the mast pad eye, and then run back to the cockpit to adjust the jib sheet. If I'm lucky, I can get it set on the first try. Sometimes it takes two tries. Usually my opponents find my chinese fire drill entertaining at the least.

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3324 Posts

Response Posted - 12/05/2003 : 18:30:27

"Usually my opponents find my chinese fire drill entertaining at the least."
Steve - a few years back when our Single-Handed Regatta was in it's early years, we were allowed to set whisker poles. One year, under drifter conditions, the fleet loosely "rafted-up" almost at the leeward mark. At which point a 20 knot front came through...I'm told it was hilarious to watch skippers trying to get their poles down and avoid other boats. Fortunately, no damage was done.

After that episode, whisker poles were disallowed!
Derek

Edited by - on

RichardG
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 12/05/2003 : 19:51:34

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I might use a preventer in appropriate circumstances, but I have used them on inland lakes enough times to believe that they have a big potential for causing problems<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Steve:

What are the principal problems one encounters when using a preventer? Are they "racing" related or safety/equipment related or both?

Thanks.

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 12/05/2003 : 20:47:34

"What are the principal problems one encounters when using a preventer?"

IMHO, Safety... unexpected windshift or gust can leave you with a backwinded main secured athwartships and the boat out of control.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 12/05/2003 : 20:48:18

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by RichardG
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I might use a preventer in appropriate circumstances, but I have used them on inland lakes enough times to believe that they have a big potential for causing problems<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Steve:

What are the principal problems one encounters when using a preventer? Are they "racing" related or safety/equipment related or both?

Thanks.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Forgive me for jumping in here but I tried to describe my concern earlier. IF, when you have a preventer set, you get the main backwinded, you will lose control of the boat. If it is in the kind of wind that would normally warrant a preventer the loss of control will be serious. If you do not rip a stanchion, pop a life line or have some failure that brakes the preventer loose you will broach. When the boat tries to right itself you will stil have the wind on the wrong side of the main and it will likely happen again. Hense the spnining round up. If your sails cannot luff in an emergency you are in for some bad stuff. The best preventer is someone sitting on the boom. When they tell you they don't want to do it anymore because they don't like the way it feels then pick a different point of sail. It sounds like a lot of people use preventers in MUCH milder conditions than I believe the are intended for. So it would seem those people see only security and benefit in using them. It is trite but what ever floats your boat. No one should ever sail in any condition thay are not comfortable with. Our styles of sailing reflect that comfort level.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 12/05/2003 : 22:37:01

The next time you're at a boat show, check out a Dutchman booth and get a demo of their boom brake. Very interesting. If you like running dead downwind and are concerned about accidental jibes, it may be worth the boat units to you.

Like Frank, I go wing-and-wing by keeping the wind just slightly on the boom side, which seems to allow the air to spill off the main into the genny. In light to moderate air (without wild shifts), if you're paying attention, an accidental jibe is unlikely. I'm often surprised by how hard I have to try to do an intentional jibe, reeling in the main and turning well past the wind before the main finally flops over. With the fluky winds on an inland lake, I guess it could be more of an issue. (In heavy air, I'll tack 270 degrees rather than jibing.

Edited by - on

osmepneo
Past Commodore

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USA
1420 Posts

Response Posted - 12/06/2003 : 07:39:46

I've not sailed osmepneo in really heavy air, but a well done jibe is a pretty safe manuever. (IMHO) Sheet in Main, nearly all the way, tiller to w'ward, and after crossing the eye of the wind, start letting the main out.

I remember back in my Laser days, one blustery day in Erie, Pa, when the Lasersa had finished race 1, and a wait until the rest of the boats finished. Wind was 20ish when we finished, so I decided to take the time to work on jibing. In front of the club bar

! I tacked upwind, and started jibing downwind, and could not keep the boat under me. EVERY jibe I capsized. I did this for maybe an hour. And then decided I was tired and was going in. Second race had been cancelled, anyways as the wind had increased to 30ish. Long story short, after showering and changing I went into the bar for a drink, and the old guys (i'm now one of them) were talking about the jerk who could keep his boat under him. Next time I was out in 20 ish winds I had no trouble keeping the Laser under me!

I guess that suggests the importance of practice when the wind starts to pick up.

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2984 Posts

Response Posted - 12/06/2003 : 09:01:18

Ahhhh the subtleties of sailing... in a life time, it all can't be absorbed... as time and experience teaches more, time yields to forgetting part of that once known... you just gotta love it. Hey, preventers are one of those things that is likely impossible to define a set of rules for... simply too many variables.

While cruising in light to moderate air under autopilot, I very often set a preventer to keep the boom from being rocked back and forth or to prevent the accidental gibe under autopilot. I agree fully with those who suggest for short distances with the boat being helmed, that they make less sense.

If used, a preventer should be easily releasable, I like to use the vang by shifting its anchor point.... which will release easily and allow easing the boom across if the main is back winded.

Like others have noted, a preventer in strong winds is asking for problems.

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5932 Posts

Response Posted - 12/06/2003 : 09:35:42

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Steve:

What are the principal problems one encounters when using a preventer? Are they "racing" related or safety/equipment related or both?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
The others have described the safety related problems. The racing problems are that, on inland lakes, with short legs and shifting winds, by the time you get the preventer set, the wind shifts, and you either have to continue on a course that is no longer advantageous, or you have to release it and gybe. Also, I have a memory problem. I use a preventer so seldom that I forget that I set it and instinctively gybe on a wind shift without releasing it, leaving the boat wallowing until I correct it. When racing downwind in shifty winds, you can often gain a lot of ground by gybing back and forth, and you can't gybe until crew releases the preventer. It creates an additional task that has to be accomplished, and it presents a high risk of making a costly mistake, and you rarely gain enough benefit to justify the risk.

Edited by - on

Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3324 Posts

Response Posted - 12/06/2003 : 15:27:24

Right on Steve!

I've never used a preventer because of the inherent dangers - much more probable on an inland lake.
Derek

Edited by - on

cch
Navigator

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202 Posts

Response Posted - 12/06/2003 : 17:21:15

[/quote]
if you're paying attention, an accidental jibe is unlikely. I'm often surprised by how hard I have to try to do an intentional jibe, reeling in the main and turning well past the wind before the main finally flops over. With the fluky winds on an inland lake, I guess it could be more of an issue. (In heavy air, I'll tack 270 degrees rather than jibing.

[/quote]

I will agree with Dave on both these issues. I do not like to jibe unless in very light air. When I do intentionly jibe it is very interesting how far I need to go before the main swings. When sailing wing on wing I find I need to pay very close attention, but worry very little about jibing. I nearly always will tack through the wind as opposed to jibing, I'm not sure why.

Edited by - on

osmepneo
Past Commodore

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USA
1420 Posts

Response Posted - 12/07/2003 : 06:49:54

The trick in jibing a Laser, and a technique I use in sailing osmepneo and we used on the Ensign I raced on before moving north is to "throw the boom over" to the other side. I take the main sheet in one hand and after crossing the eye of the wind, manually move it to the other side. That way I control the rate that the boom travels from one side to the other. Really makes the jibe fairly easy.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 12/07/2003 : 11:45:29

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by osmepneo
 The trick in jibing a Laser, and a technique I use in sailing osmepneo and we used on the Ensign I raced on before moving north is to "throw the boom over" to the other side.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I have always been to heavy to be very nimble, but I have observed the "rolling gybe" on little boats. The sailor coordinates the shift of their weight with the throwing of the boom over. It is amazingly fast.
I cannot imagine gybing without the purchase in my hand. If the air is heavy I haul it in to the close quarter and heave it across with the purchase lines then let it out. It is one of the moment when you mental note how freely your mainsheet and blocks are running. If it doesn't pay out nicely under those conditions you need to look at your equipment. The lighter the air the less hauling in I do before I heave it over.

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5932 Posts

Response Posted - 12/07/2003 : 12:22:21

On gybing, when we first learn to sail, and see our first gybe, the sound and fury and violence of it strikes terror in our hearts, and that terror stays with us for a long time. When we think about what horrible things could happen as a result of a gybe, we decide to avoid it whenever possible. But, only accidental gybes are dangerous, and the danger lies in the fact that we don’t expect them and are unprepared for them. Intentional gybes are a normal function of sailing, and they are expected and controllable, and not dangerous when you do them as Chris and Don describe. If you are sailing with too much sail area for the wind strength, then tacking through 270 degrees is a good way to change tacks downwind safely, but, if you are sailing with an appropriate amount of sail area for the wind strength, then the most seamanlike way (which is at least as safe, and is much faster and more efficient) is to gybe. For those who are tacking through 270 degrees, practice controlled gybes in light to moderate winds until you become comfortable doing it. I usually give the command “prepare to gybe!” to warn crew that I’m about to gybe, and, because my boat is a tall rig, I also usually specifically warn them to keep their heads down. Gybes are only dangerous to those who don’t expect them.

In light to moderate winds, you can reach up and grab the three part mainsheet with your hand and throw the boom over. In stronger winds, you should sheet it in to the centerline, steer the stern across the wind, and then, when the boom flops over, let the mainsheet out. In strong winds, it’s a good idea to wear gloves, because the mainsheet can run out very quickly through your hand and give you a rope burn. When you sheet the boom in and out in this way, you don’t have to worry about anybody’s appendages getting wrapped in the mainsheet as it comes across.

You might ask, what harm is there in tacking through 270 degrees? Most of the time there’s no harm, but what are you going to do when you find yourself too close to shore or another boat or some other obstruction to be able to tack through 270 degrees? You should learn how to do a controlled gybe safely, and to practice it, because it’s a skill that you will surely need to use sooner or later.

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