Easy Gybing with Gennaker
Hi Fred, I also sail my 34 solo most of the time and I do not hesitate to set the gennaker at every opportunity. Gybing is easy if you use 2 sheets long enough to run in front of the headstay and attach a block to the toe rail on each side as close to the stern as practical. Picture this: 1) You are running on a starboard tack,and your port sheet controls the genny. The starboard sheet runs the length of the sail to the head stay, then in front of the stay, down the starboard side (outside of the lifelines) through the block attached to the toerail then to the winch. 2) When you get ready to gybe, start releasing the port sheet so the sail flies forward (some say like a flag!) and start picking up the slack on the starboard sheet while easing the boat further and further to starboard. The trick is to let the sail fly loose until by picking up the starboard sheet you can bring it on the starboard side, crossing it from port to starboard side in front of the headstay. 3) Pick up as much slack as needed to tension the sail until it starts filling up again, with the wind coming in from the port side this time. Once sail is full, you can adjust it for the performance or downwind angle you want. 4) When you get ready to douse, you can just release the sheet under tension and quickly douse the sail with the sock before you release it and bring it to the bag. Hope this helps. It's almost longer to describe than to do. Good Luck
