We all know how dangerous an uncontrolled jibe can be! the other night I was out for a 2 hour 11p-1a sail in about 12 knots (work kept me late but didnt kep me away!) and was practicing jibes, going from a deep reach to wing-and-wing to the other reach. I noiced that with the main all the way out, if i headed down until it came across on its own, it didnt fly across until i was far past DDW - but with a simple flick of the sheet in and out, i could pull it to centerline and it would then go back the other way smoothly and controllably as I let the sheet out! How do you all do your jibe?
Jibe time
- Thread starter Brian M H23
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I pull in the main sheet
but not all the way, and then jibe and then release the sheet on the other side. Unless the wind is really calm - then I Jibe HO without sheeting. I have jib'ed as you described also, so I guess it depends on my mood and the wind.
but not all the way, and then jibe and then release the sheet on the other side. Unless the wind is really calm - then I Jibe HO without sheeting. I have jib'ed as you described also, so I guess it depends on my mood and the wind.
Controlled Jybe
I usually hold my heading and slowly sheet in on the main as much as I can, Then I jybe and take up a new heading. I adjust the jib first, then ease the main sheet until it's good. I find this way very smooth and less stress on the rigging and sails, not to mention the crew. On long down wind legs, for a preventer, I unclip my boom vang from the base of the mast and reclip onto a padeye on either side of the deck specifically for this purpose. I then tighten the vang slightly. No accidental gybes this way. I also have a stopper knot in the mainsheet tostop the boom from ever swinging enough to touch the shrouds. I do not want a dismasting!!!
I usually hold my heading and slowly sheet in on the main as much as I can, Then I jybe and take up a new heading. I adjust the jib first, then ease the main sheet until it's good. I find this way very smooth and less stress on the rigging and sails, not to mention the crew. On long down wind legs, for a preventer, I unclip my boom vang from the base of the mast and reclip onto a padeye on either side of the deck specifically for this purpose. I then tighten the vang slightly. No accidental gybes this way. I also have a stopper knot in the mainsheet tostop the boom from ever swinging enough to touch the shrouds. I do not want a dismasting!!!
When ready to jibe in 12 knots of breeze, I simply take hold of all the main sheet parts together and pull the boom in toward the centerline while turning the boat DDW. As the main flips over I do a controlled release of the sheet. In 12 kts true wind the apparent wind is only about 6 to 8 kts. A relatively light breeze to control by hand. If the breeze is stronger, 15 or more, then the main sheet should be used. Before any of this happens however, the vang should be released. When the sail is on the opposite tack the vang can be re-tensioned. Use of the rope vang as a preventer is not a good idea. In light breeze it may not be a problem but in a stiff breeze the location of the vang on the boom is far from ideal. A preventer should be located at least half way back along the boom and preferably further back. Shock loading on the boom during an accidental jibe is enormous and could damage the boom among other things if the upper boom vang location is used.
The Dutchman boombrake is
a great way to control jibes, both intentional and not http://shop.sailboatowners.com/detail.htm?fno=400&group=863 Dave Groshong Customer Service SailboatOwners.com
a great way to control jibes, both intentional and not http://shop.sailboatowners.com/detail.htm?fno=400&group=863 Dave Groshong Customer Service SailboatOwners.com
If coming down from a broad reach...
I put the boat down wind until the jib collapses or starts to; then I start hauling in the mainsheet and traveller to center the boom if the apparent wind is more than 8-10 kt, then jibe the jib and the main at about the same time. Bring the boat to the new course, ease the mainsail & traveller back out; trim the jib. This all takes maybe 1 or 2 min depending on how many people I have on the sheets. BEO
I put the boat down wind until the jib collapses or starts to; then I start hauling in the mainsheet and traveller to center the boom if the apparent wind is more than 8-10 kt, then jibe the jib and the main at about the same time. Bring the boat to the new course, ease the mainsail & traveller back out; trim the jib. This all takes maybe 1 or 2 min depending on how many people I have on the sheets. BEO
As Alan suggests, just grab a handfull of mainsheet.....
...and pull it across in a controlled manner. It's really easy if the wind is under 15 kts, and you have end boom sheeting. If your traveller is on the cabin you'll need to winch the mainsheet in as you approach ddw, a soon as the wind changes sides, ease out. I don't mess with the traveller unless it's really windy, at which time I'll center the car and control the boom by hand after reeling in the main about halfway. Try it in calmer conditions, you'll find that there's plenty of leverage to control the boom this way. I learned this method when sailing my Nacra (beach cat) 6 to 1 purchase on the mainsheet tackle required a lot of line stripping, so we were taught to just grab and pull it across, under control all the way.
...and pull it across in a controlled manner. It's really easy if the wind is under 15 kts, and you have end boom sheeting. If your traveller is on the cabin you'll need to winch the mainsheet in as you approach ddw, a soon as the wind changes sides, ease out. I don't mess with the traveller unless it's really windy, at which time I'll center the car and control the boom by hand after reeling in the main about halfway. Try it in calmer conditions, you'll find that there's plenty of leverage to control the boom this way. I learned this method when sailing my Nacra (beach cat) 6 to 1 purchase on the mainsheet tackle required a lot of line stripping, so we were taught to just grab and pull it across, under control all the way.
Why sail close to DDW?
We all seem to agree that accidental jibes can be dangerous, may damage the equipment and should be avoided. My personal rule is to say sail a longer distance rather than close to DDW. An increase in speed will help offset the extra distance. The problem with going close to DDW is that any shift in wind or swell action may cause an unwanted jibe. Sometimes you may have to sail close to DDW as in a long narrow channel and for those times a preventer would be recommended. The use of a voom vang at its support point in the boom is not recommened. The reason is that the boom is at its weakest when handling lateral forces especially at places forward of mid point. If you notice those vessels that have mid sheeted booms usually spread the load by using three separated boom bails rather than one block. I am not against the use of vangs for convenience but be aware of the boom shortcomings as the breeze freshens. The setting up of a preventer at the end of the boom running to a block forward at the rail and back to the cockpit would work best. You can use a three strand line to provide maximum strech and shock load protection. Be aware that in large swells some boats can roll and dip the boom in the water and if there is a preventer attached the boom will likely break. This could be a problem in boats with long booms and small beams.
We all seem to agree that accidental jibes can be dangerous, may damage the equipment and should be avoided. My personal rule is to say sail a longer distance rather than close to DDW. An increase in speed will help offset the extra distance. The problem with going close to DDW is that any shift in wind or swell action may cause an unwanted jibe. Sometimes you may have to sail close to DDW as in a long narrow channel and for those times a preventer would be recommended. The use of a voom vang at its support point in the boom is not recommened. The reason is that the boom is at its weakest when handling lateral forces especially at places forward of mid point. If you notice those vessels that have mid sheeted booms usually spread the load by using three separated boom bails rather than one block. I am not against the use of vangs for convenience but be aware of the boom shortcomings as the breeze freshens. The setting up of a preventer at the end of the boom running to a block forward at the rail and back to the cockpit would work best. You can use a three strand line to provide maximum strech and shock load protection. Be aware that in large swells some boats can roll and dip the boom in the water and if there is a preventer attached the boom will likely break. This could be a problem in boats with long booms and small beams.
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