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A gybe typically occurs when you are on the run, .
or sailing down wind and a wind shift or change in the boat's direction causes the sails to shift from one side of the boat to the other due to the wind's pressure. A tack is typically the close hauled course you are on. A starboard tack indicates that the windward side is to starboard and port tack... Terry
or sailing down wind and a wind shift or change in the boat's direction causes the sails to shift from one side of the boat to the other due to the wind's pressure. A tack is typically the close hauled course you are on. A starboard tack indicates that the windward side is to starboard and port tack... Terry
jibing and tacking
Or, more properly, for the new sailor, tacking and jibing. Tacking is a turn bringing the bow through the wind. If the wind is coming over the port side (port tack), the turn would be to port until the wind came over starboard (starboard tack) to complete the tack. Jibing is a turn bringing the stern through the wind. On a port tack, the turn is to starboard. Tacking should be mastered before moving on to jibes since there is less risk to crew and equipment, and tacking lets you get a good feel for what it takes to drive the boat without any power in the sails without getting stuck in irons or coming up short on the maneuver.
Or, more properly, for the new sailor, tacking and jibing. Tacking is a turn bringing the bow through the wind. If the wind is coming over the port side (port tack), the turn would be to port until the wind came over starboard (starboard tack) to complete the tack. Jibing is a turn bringing the stern through the wind. On a port tack, the turn is to starboard. Tacking should be mastered before moving on to jibes since there is less risk to crew and equipment, and tacking lets you get a good feel for what it takes to drive the boat without any power in the sails without getting stuck in irons or coming up short on the maneuver.
The last answer is best. If the boom is extended
preparation for the gybe must include sheeting the boom in close prior to the gybe and easing it out when the gybe is complete. It is a little more of a dance than a tack and you should practice it in light air.
preparation for the gybe must include sheeting the boom in close prior to the gybe and easing it out when the gybe is complete. It is a little more of a dance than a tack and you should practice it in light air.
gybing
When you are gybing you have to be aware that the wind will get behind the boom and swing it over with some force, it is important to sheet in t he boom so that you the captain have control of the boat and the gyb. As the boom swings over you then will ease it out. This manuever should be practiced, and after you have done so with greater ease you will feel more confident about doing it when you need to. I remember my first solo on my first boat , a 17 foot 1968 oday daysailor,getting to the southern end of the harbour and thinking , HOW THE ---- AM I SUPPOSED TO TURN THIS THING AROUND . Well gybing was the only way so I did it. Another time out with the admiral and a friendand they asked wat do we do , I was sunning on the fordeck, I explained the serious nature of the gyb. We proceeded to do so and within seconds fiilled the boat 1/2 way with sea water. No one was hurt and the boat ws fine , alesson well learned. Also watch out for the accidental gyb, when the wind gets behind the sail and you didn't see it coming. I have read it here that ios why they call it the BOOM.
When you are gybing you have to be aware that the wind will get behind the boom and swing it over with some force, it is important to sheet in t he boom so that you the captain have control of the boat and the gyb. As the boom swings over you then will ease it out. This manuever should be practiced, and after you have done so with greater ease you will feel more confident about doing it when you need to. I remember my first solo on my first boat , a 17 foot 1968 oday daysailor,getting to the southern end of the harbour and thinking , HOW THE ---- AM I SUPPOSED TO TURN THIS THING AROUND . Well gybing was the only way so I did it. Another time out with the admiral and a friendand they asked wat do we do , I was sunning on the fordeck, I explained the serious nature of the gyb. We proceeded to do so and within seconds fiilled the boat 1/2 way with sea water. No one was hurt and the boat ws fine , alesson well learned. Also watch out for the accidental gyb, when the wind gets behind the sail and you didn't see it coming. I have read it here that ios why they call it the BOOM.
Jibe-ho!
Some sailors prefer, with sea room, to tack instead of jibe. This is done by steadily hardening up on the tack you're on, that is, bringing the wind forward by changing course, but keeping the sails on the same side of the boat. As you get within 45 degrees of the wind, you tack, and continue on around paying out the main. You've just jibed, albeit the long way around, but a lot safer and with a lot less stress on your rig. In high winds, I'd recc. this over a conventional gybe. Gybes are stressful on the boat and the unwary.
Some sailors prefer, with sea room, to tack instead of jibe. This is done by steadily hardening up on the tack you're on, that is, bringing the wind forward by changing course, but keeping the sails on the same side of the boat. As you get within 45 degrees of the wind, you tack, and continue on around paying out the main. You've just jibed, albeit the long way around, but a lot safer and with a lot less stress on your rig. In high winds, I'd recc. this over a conventional gybe. Gybes are stressful on the boat and the unwary.
Will, take stu's advice....please...
I'm confused reading some of these responses. Go here for some essential sailing definitions. http://www.smallboat.sailingcourse.com/definitions.htm Simply put: Jibe - Turning the stern or back of the boat through the wind. Not to be confused with the jib which is the front sail on a boat. Tack - 1: A direction of sail 2: Turning the bow, or front of the boat, through the wind 3: The front bottom corner of a sail
I'm confused reading some of these responses. Go here for some essential sailing definitions. http://www.smallboat.sailingcourse.com/definitions.htm Simply put: Jibe - Turning the stern or back of the boat through the wind. Not to be confused with the jib which is the front sail on a boat. Tack - 1: A direction of sail 2: Turning the bow, or front of the boat, through the wind 3: The front bottom corner of a sail
Will, take Stu's advice......
If for some reason you cant purchase a book, the library should have several books on sailing for beginners. Get the one with the most pictures.
If for some reason you cant purchase a book, the library should have several books on sailing for beginners. Get the one with the most pictures.
To follow up on the library idea..
They have access to some very good books but also educatonal sailing DVD's. Also, I have mentioned this other source many times before but if you belong to "Netflix" they also have many sailing DVD's to rent. Good luck, Jack
They have access to some very good books but also educatonal sailing DVD's. Also, I have mentioned this other source many times before but if you belong to "Netflix" they also have many sailing DVD's to rent. Good luck, Jack
Take a course
When I became very interested in computers I took a beginners course, the same with hunting when I was much younger. Sailing is serious business and can be dangerous. Take a beginners course in your area. Join a local Power Squadron and be around people who sail. It's a lot of fun too.
When I became very interested in computers I took a beginners course, the same with hunting when I was much younger. Sailing is serious business and can be dangerous. Take a beginners course in your area. Join a local Power Squadron and be around people who sail. It's a lot of fun too.
Great Place For Sailing DVD's
I found a great little website for sailing and boating DVD's. www.sail-vision.com. Prices and selection are great.
I found a great little website for sailing and boating DVD's. www.sail-vision.com. Prices and selection are great.
- Jan 22, 2008
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nautical confusion
And just to underscore the point that nautical terms can be conjusing, not only are gybe and jib (pronounced differently) very different, but the word tack has different meanings as well. Tack is a noun that identifies the forward corner of the main or jib sail, but as a verb denotes the procedure of moving the bow of the boat through the wind as a to bring the wind onto the other side of the sail. This procedure is also called coming about.
And just to underscore the point that nautical terms can be conjusing, not only are gybe and jib (pronounced differently) very different, but the word tack has different meanings as well. Tack is a noun that identifies the forward corner of the main or jib sail, but as a verb denotes the procedure of moving the bow of the boat through the wind as a to bring the wind onto the other side of the sail. This procedure is also called coming about.
In summary then -
The original question was about the word tack, not tacking. A sailboat, while sailing, is always on a tack except when she is in the process of changing her tack. There are only two tacks, with 5 points of sail on each tack. There are only two ways of changing a tack - by tacking or by gybing.
The original question was about the word tack, not tacking. A sailboat, while sailing, is always on a tack except when she is in the process of changing her tack. There are only two tacks, with 5 points of sail on each tack. There are only two ways of changing a tack - by tacking or by gybing.
jimq26
In essence, you are correct. If your reference is wind, not point of sail. There are indeed two references to tack; port and starboard. If you are referring to point of sail, you are incorrect. The only tack in point of sail is - a. the heading of a sailing vessel, when sailing close-hauled, with reference to the wind direction. b. a course run obliquely against the wind. c. one of the series of straight runs that make up the zigzag course of a ship proceeding to windward. Since the question was the difference between Tack and Gybe, the reference is to point of sail, not what side of the boat is windward. So the correct answer to the question to tack, as many have pointed out, is to change the course of a sailing vessel by bringing the head into the wind and then causing it to fall off on the other side, where as to gybe is to shift a fore-and-aft sail from one side of a vessel to the other while sailing before the wind so as to sail on the opposite tack (with reference to the wind).
In essence, you are correct. If your reference is wind, not point of sail. There are indeed two references to tack; port and starboard. If you are referring to point of sail, you are incorrect. The only tack in point of sail is - a. the heading of a sailing vessel, when sailing close-hauled, with reference to the wind direction. b. a course run obliquely against the wind. c. one of the series of straight runs that make up the zigzag course of a ship proceeding to windward. Since the question was the difference between Tack and Gybe, the reference is to point of sail, not what side of the boat is windward. So the correct answer to the question to tack, as many have pointed out, is to change the course of a sailing vessel by bringing the head into the wind and then causing it to fall off on the other side, where as to gybe is to shift a fore-and-aft sail from one side of a vessel to the other while sailing before the wind so as to sail on the opposite tack (with reference to the wind).
Jibe & tack
WillC, I live in Slidell. Post back if you would like a demo instead of an explanation.
WillC, I live in Slidell. Post back if you would like a demo instead of an explanation.
The question was...
"Jib (Gyb) or Tack-what is the difference ?" This implies movement of the boat thru the wind, not the side of the boat the wind is on. Both words, in this case, are being used as verbs, not nouns. If the question had been "Port tack or starboard tack-what is the difference" then your answer would have been correct. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. ;D
"Jib (Gyb) or Tack-what is the difference ?" This implies movement of the boat thru the wind, not the side of the boat the wind is on. Both words, in this case, are being used as verbs, not nouns. If the question had been "Port tack or starboard tack-what is the difference" then your answer would have been correct. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. ;D
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