Jibe in semi heavy weather

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Shaun

I have been told two things on how to jibe, to minimize stress on the rig. One being to leave the boom out and jibe - not worring about the stress. The second answer was to bring in the boom just prior to jibing to minimize the swing of the boom in the jibe... then let the boom back out. Any advice would be appreciated.
 
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Bruce Grant

I use the boom in method

After going through a couple of uncontrolled Jibes (just let it fly) in lighter air, I felt it was much better to control the jibe (Duh) So I start a slow jibe, bring in the mainsheet and as the aft end of the boat moves through the wind, I let the main back out. Normally I will bring the traveler up to the other side of the boat before the jibe. Hope that helps. Bruce.
 
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ed

stress

what we learnt on smaller sail boats was to take the main in say 1/4 to 1/3rd as about to jibe or when the skipper says 'jibe-ho'. after the jibe let the main out again to be in its winged position. practice will tell you how far and when to take the main in and let out again. in essence the idea is to put the strain of the boom and main sail - and if you think, it is a terrific weight as they go acros withe wind behind!! - as it goes across onto the main sheet and its cockpit tackle which is very strong and stop the impact on the side rigging, etc. i can remember seeing sailing dingies break their masts when the mpact of the main jibing without control of its sheet in heavy winds. although some 'big boat' sailors may question if the technique is necessary for larger sailboats, i have always used the principle ' be safe and not sorry' practice will determine the above technique and also the handling and performance of your boat - to loose as little speed and handling as pssible. hope above of some use. others may have other opinions. ed. as you practice, you will see the importance of this
 
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Stephen Ostrander

safety first

Its always safer to do a controlled jibe, especially with crew aboard. An uncontrolled jibe can kill someone, let alone the strain on the tackle.
 
Aug 11, 2006
1,446
Hunter H260 Traverse City
Jibing my 27

I first secure the traveler amiships, then have the mate man the tiller and call the jibe. I physically begin hauling in the mainsheet just as as the boom begins to come around, I don't really get ahead of it and pull it in, I stay with it as it comes amidships (you haul steadily and quickly hand-over-hand). Once the the boat begins to turn to its new downwind course I begin letting the mainsheet out (again steadily and quickly) until the boom reaches its new desired angle off the wind. Finally I let out the traveler. As the boom goes over, I noticed that the sudden load on the mainsheet with the traveler centered creates additional friction on the block and tackle which actually helps keep the boom easily controlled as you pay out the mainsheet. With practice, it looks just as good as coming about into the wind (Specially to those skippers in other boats who still do a near 360 across the wind to change course rather than jibing!)
 
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Eric

Good Advice

I especially like the comment about doing a 360 to avoid a jibe. It is a legitimate sailng technique which comes in very handy to offset the downwind issues with the B&R rig. Good question, good answers.
 
Aug 11, 2006
1,446
Hunter H260 Traverse City
Yes, the "360" is a perfectly legitimate tactic...

I said that tongue-in-cheek, since I have often done the old "360" myself when returning to harbour in an unexpected blow in my old sailing dinghy in whuich a jibe would have been downright suicidal. There was no such option as controlling the uncontrollable in that boat! After all, discretion IS the better part of valor...
 
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Bryan C.

Can't believe anyone recommends not sheeting in

I have read (but not tried) that the speed of the main backfilling on a quick jibe acts as a brake and can prevent the boom from crashing over to the other side. Sounds great in theory, someone else can let you know if it works in practice. The thought of the boom swinging over in heavy weather in an uncontrolled jibe gives me visions of rigging coming crashing down.
 
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Bruce Grant

One other thing....

If your 28 has the plastic slugs and bails attaching the main to the mast, an uncontrolled Jibe can (will) break some of these. Experience talking here, I had a couple of uncontrolled jibes and had to replace one or two of the slugs a couple of times. Regards. Bruce. Neon Moon
 
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Canadice Stein

Could bend the boom, among other things

We also subscribe to the "bring it in under control as you jibe and quickly and steadily let it back out as the stern crossed over the wind" technique. We nearly bought a Catalina 30 before we got our '93 H28 but found in survey it had more problems than we had money...including having a slight bend in the boom from an accidental jibe the owner had gone through. The boom bent when it crossed over, uncontrolled, and hit the shrouds... didn't look like one of the brighter moments for that boat... and no one would like the mental picture of what that could do if it struck a crew member. Happy and safe sailing, Canadice Stein h 28 "Great Blue" Lake Champlain, VT
 
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Colin

Canadice Stein

Canadice Stein, I am thinking of chartering a couple of boats in Lake Champlain next year, and wondered if you might give me a little insight into the area. You can reach me at jcj.campbell@sympatico.ca
 
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Doug

Why do they call it a Preventor?

The device (usually a simple line or reposition of the vang) to stop an uncontrolled or commonly called "accidental" (as you would never want one on purpose)jibe is called a preventor. The reason is because you would want to PREVENT a large arc heavy air boom swing whenever humanly possible. Steve O. is right, it could easily kill someone, and does. My next suggestion to those that recommend uncontrolled jibes is to make sure and do it on a boat they own, get insurance and please single hand. Doug
 
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Ron Dague

Uncontrolled Jibe Okay?

I've heard that on a small catamaran, such as the beach Hobie Cats, you can do an uncontrolled jibe without damage. Danger of decapitation is still there and you have to compensate for the change in forces quickly or you can capsize. If this is true, it is probably due to the speed of a lightweight cat down wind, can make apparent wind rather small. Just trying to help those that suggested it save a little face. I strongly agree that it is stupid on a keelboat.
 
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Paul Akers

Preventer

I learned about a PREVENTER from a charter boat captain that I once had. I didn't own a boat at the time, but it made so much sense to me. Now that I own a Hunter (L37) with swept back spreaders, anytime that I sail off the wind, I have concerns about accidental/uncontrolled gybes. I rig the preventer to stop the boom from reaching midship. I tie one end of the line to a ring on the underside of the boom and the other end to the toe rail. It doesn't take much to gybe, so be cautious. When I plan to gybe, I untie the line at the toe rail and sheet in as the boom reaches the centerline and let out as it passes over the cockpit - all the time keeping the loose preventer out of harm's way.
 
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Les Andersen

Jibe-Ho

Shaun, Lots of great comments here. Couldn't resist adding my 2 cents worth. Accidential jibes are by definition uncontrolled. A non accidential ie deliberate uncontrolled jibe would fall somewhere between foolish and suicidal. But jibes need to be part of your bag of tricks. Sometimes the 360 is not an option. A non controlled jibe in moderate winds can take down your rig and/or kill someone in seconds. Don't put yourself in a situation where it can happen. In all winds I practice turning to a dead run, sheet in the main until it is almost centered. I take all but the last wrap off the main sheet wench, start the turn to the new heading and as the boom jibes across the last couple of feet I let the sheet out. That single wrap on the wench is enough to controll the boom. In heavier winds I use a second wrap. Be sure to let the line run freely because it takes little pressure to stop the line causing unnecessary strain. In really heavy winds I turn downwind and pull the boom completely through and don't let it run out until it jibes. Then turn the boat and let the sheet out. You should be able to jibe in any wind you are comfortable sailing in. In anything over 10 knots of wind the preventer goes on. I use a modified vang with a longer line attached. It has snap hasps at each end and a jam cleat. The line is long enough to release from the cockpit if necessary. In use the preventer balances the sheet and prevents the boom from moving (hence the name). You should set the boom where you want with the sheet then attach the preventer drawing it up tight. Be careful you don't pull the sail into the spreaders or the boom into the shrouds. Accidential jibes are to be avoided but not unnecessarily feared. If you are running dead downwind at 000 on a wind from 180 your boom would be out about 70 degrees, lets say to starboard, to keep the sail out of the shrouds and spreaders. For the wind to get to the other side of the sail and cause an accidential jibe either the wind would have to shift by 70 degrees to the east or you would have to allow the boat to turn 70 degrees to the right. Either way it would be a lot of inattention not to catch it before it got out of hand. But it is something all of us have done. I certainly have experienced them on my 37.5. The preventer will keep the boom from moving and the boat will just turn into the wind in this scenario with no damage and is easily recovered. Les s/v Mutual Fun
 
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Shaun

Thanks for all the replies!

Les and all others - THANKS - I have always done a controlled jibe, but when it was suggested that it did not have to be controlled... I had to ask! All great replies, thanks.... the advice on not controlling the jibe was from a "non-fix keel sailor" and that was their prospective.... I like the idea of the preventor but have not figured out an efficient way to rig one since most of my down wind runs are relatively short in duration... I figure my attention span can handle that... but maybe not... I like the idea of the quick release for rigging the preventor.... Thanks again everyone! Shaun
 
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Frank A.

Couldn't imagine it

A few years back I was out sailing a Esape Rumba in about 18kt of wind. Was enjoying myself so much that I got distracted and accidentally jibed. My forehead became the preventer and it took 38 stitches to repair it. I now sail a H28 and would consider it suicidal to let that boom swing uncontrollably, even in winds at half that speed. Even though the boom clears my head (I still unconsciously duck whenever the boom comes across) the loads it puts on the gear is considerable. I start pulling the sheet in as soon as I start the turn and at the same time make certain the sheet is uncleated as it passes overhead. Keep tension on the sheet and when you feel it's at a comfortable angle, cleat it bck up. It's a non-event, even in winds in excess of 20kt.
 
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