Asymmetric chute: inside or outside gybe?

[marchem]

Just started playing with the asymmetric chute on our C310. First big question is to run the sheets for an inside (lazy sheet runs between the forestay and the chute) or outside (lazy sheet runs all the was around the outside of the chute) gybe?

I know both can work, but I'm guessing someone has played with this on a C310 and has a preference.

I've got the tack line rigged to a snatch block on the anchor roller bail.

 

[Jackdaw]

For the most part there is too short a gap between the forestay and the tack point to do inside gibes.

So do outside.

Light spin sheets without shackles help a TON.

Have your sailmaker attach a gybulator to the tack of your asym to hold the lazy sheet out of the water.

 

[Charles Erwin]

The way I think about this is that it depends on how your asym spinnaker halyard is setup (and whether you are fractional or masthead.) If the halyard is on a crane - like a standard spinnaker - then the sail won't pass through behind the headstay without the stay interfering. So in that case lazy sheet round the headstay works.

If the halyard is a standard masthead jib halyard then the sail will pass through behind the headstay.

Maybe you have both. If so try both ways and see what agrees with you. MInd the lazy sheet does not fall under the bow if you are using the 'round the headstay approach and also you will need pretty long sheets too.

Charles

 

[Joe]

If you hoist on the jib halyard, the sail will be behind the head stay so you most likely would bring it through the fore triangle.(inside) One consideration with this maneuver is the chance of having issues with the sail wrapping on the forestay.(remember, the wind is still blowing the sail forward) To avoid this, many cruising sailors will douse the cruising chute, jibe the boat, then hoist on the other side. To some, it can be less intimidating this way also. Especially if you're using a dousing sock.

If you're using a properly rigged spinnaker halyard, the swivel block will be mounted ahead of the forestay. This allows the sail easy movement and minimizes halyard abrasion. So, in this case, you should gibe the sail outside..... it's much easier than you think.... keep an eye on the bow pulpit and anything that may snag the sheets.

I have lightweight 1/4" sheets that I use 90% or the time.... they have light plastic shackles that are handy, but too large for both to fit in the clew. So, I have a 3 foot single 5/16 pennant tied to the sail's clew with a loop at the free end to accommodate the sheets. It works really well.

Finally, I have a set of twings that perform like jib leads. These are made from small diameter line with a small block through which the sheet is threaded. The twing line leads to a small, standing block on the toe rail then to an inexpensive vee cleat for control.

Because the spin sheets are lead so far aft there is some inevitable bouncing.. the twing allows you to adjust the height of the clew and to keep it stable.

 

[SimiSAilor]

Outside- I also run the tack line to a block on the anchor bale. Sometimes I use the ATN tacker around the furler,
I think I have better control of the tack height without it. You will need sheets about 60' long for the gybe. I don't think inside would work well, you are going to like the sail. Very easy to gybe.

 

[KZW]

As SimiSAilor said, I gybe on the outside. There just isn't room to do it inside. I've not put the lazy sheet under the boat in two years with the asymmetric, but I'm sure it will happen eventually. I also tack on anchor bail. My chute sets with a sock. There are lots of pro-cons on this but as a short handed cruiser, I find it easy to do.

 

[Jackdaw]

OK because people have asked again.... a gybulator is a small wand attached near the tack of your asym. angled upward, it holds the lazy sheet and prevents it from falling into the water and under the boat. Most sailmakers can add them for less than 100 bucks.

in action

 

[thinwater]

^^ Who would have thunk! I've only jibed A sails on cats, and the hulls do this.

I've only found inside jibes useful in 2 situations:
1. Very, very light winds, with crew up front to pull the tack through. Very light winds, and a sprit helps a lot.
2. Boats that tack down wind. My last cat could jibe with the apparent wind passing forward, but my current cat jibes outside.

 

[marchem]

Outside it is. I'm also thinking of replacing the existing sheets-too thick and heavy.