How-To Question regarding gybes w/ Asymm Spinnaker

[Clark]

I guess this would be for all those who have Hunters with no backstay, large mains and small jibs (Like our 1996 H280) and involves the management of the main and asym while gybing. My experience with said spin is limited to one outing in very light air and no sails up except the spinnaker (first trial as it were and we had a great time!).
Lets assume I and the admiral are on a broad port reach with the main and spin on the starboard side; traveler maxed to starboard and mainsheet out just enough to keep the main out of the spreader. Winds are ~8 Kn and no chop. Is this the proper way to manage the gybe:
1) Begin the turn to starboard and play out the working spin sheet so it starts to fly ahead.
2) As the wind shifts to dead aft, take in the mainsheet to reduce pressure.
3) As the wind starts to come over the starboard quarter, shift the traveler to max port then let the mainsheet back out just enough to keep it out of the spreader. (This is a little scary since the wind will catch the main and try to "pop" it over). In the meantime, the spin is probably flapping around up front.
4) Once on the new course, trim the spin w/ the new working sheet.
Is this the best way to manage the gybe? If not, what change(s) would you suggest?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Ken Prichard]

Video

I bought this video. It's worth every dime:

http://www.ukhalsey.com/LearningCenter/FlasherMovie/flasherlogin.asp

 

[Alan]

No

I assume you're not racing your boat. Does your wife become a crew member or does she sit and read while you handle everything?

In 8kts of true breeze the apparent wind speed drops dramatically as you turn down, which significantly reduces any load on the sails and makes sail handling MUCH easier. As you start to make your turn, trim in the mainsheet to help limit the travel of the boom onto the next tack as the main switches sides. Ease the spin sheet out with one hand and gather as much slack as possible of the lazy sheet. As the boat approaches DDW maintain that course. This will keep the main from jibing but will allow the spinnaker to jibe. At that point release the old sheet and trim on the new one. Now you are sailing wing on wing. Alter course further to allow the main to jibe by itself. If you like you can grab a handful of mainsheet and help by pulling the main across and then damping the new load on the other tack. Trim the spinnaker sheet and main for your new heading.

Of course, having a crew to help will make life much easier, you can do it alone it just takes a little longer. I've done it many times.

 

[Clark]

Thanks Alan. Sounds like my thinking was sorta in line with your suggestions. The Admiral does drive when needed but prefers to just kick back and look pretty so she could handle the wheel while I trim everything.

Thanks Ken, I'll take a look at the video.

 

[Ken13559]

what I normally do is 1st take in the mainsheet as much as possible, let the Aspin drive the boat. Then do the gybe and manage the apsin, like let out the sheet and pull in the lazysheet. The Mains will takecare of itself as the baot gybe. After the apsin is trim and proper, lower the traveller and adj the mainsheet. To keep things manageable, do one thing at a time.

 

[PHitchcox]

I'm with Ken. Centering the traveller and pulling in the mainsheet first puts the main in the center and out of harms way. Then let out the asym as you turn and as its flies out front, bring it in on the other side. Once you're happy with the new course and have the asym sheet set, then let the main out, and finally the traveler.

If you send the traveler over earlier, you're going to set yourself up for the big bang as the main comes across. I find it easier to pull the traveler to center first, then the mainsheet, then release the mainsheet on the other side, then the traveler. The only difference is bringing the asym over while the main is centered.

 

[Clark]

Thanks Again! The idea then is to first minimize the potential harm from the main (traveler then mainsheet), then gybe the boat + asymm then reset the main on the new course.