Topic: Gybing in light winds

Gybing in light winds

Gybing a 12 in light winds feels great. The light rounded hull and responsiveness make them a joy to roll gybe.

Here's how to get the most out of your gybe.

1. On your approach to the buoy aim slightly to windward of it (as shown here) so you can bear away before the mark and complete the gybe close to the buoy.
2. The helm should communicate in advance when they intend to gybe.
3. A count down to the gybe can help helm and crew co-ordinate movements.

Preparation

Helm

1. Pull on enough kicker to take up tension
2. Change hands (swap main sheet and tiller extension)

Crew

1. Put the leeward shroud back on
2. Ease the dangly pole so it will pass inside the jib luff wire.
3. Centreboard should be left at half board.

Starting the gybe

Heel the boat to windward in order to initiate the turn. Crew slides a little to windward to help heel. If you do this right there should be little need to use the rudder to get the boat turning.

Dip the gunwhale

The crew moves more to the windward side. You should be aiming to roll the boat enough to dip the windward gunwhale into the water. You should avoid scooping water into the boat especially if your 12 is of the non-self draining variety.

As the boat starts to turn you can use more rudder to increase the speed of the turn.

Wait . . . keep the roll going

Keep the boat heeling during the gybe, this keeps the boat turning and gravity assists the boom coming across.

The crew should also help the boom across by pulling the kicker.

Boom comes across

The helm should move to the other side in one swift move as the boom comes across. The crew should move to compensate for the helm. It is most important that the helm is able to sit down on the new side.

The crew starts to pull the jib across.

Boom hits the new side

The tiller should be in the middle as the boom hits the new side so the boat heads off in a straight line.

Unlike in windy weather, when it's light it is helpful for the boat to be heeled when the boom hits the far side.

The jib should now be eased out on the new side ready to fill

Bring her up

The helm should lean out to bring the boat back flat. The crew may need to help bring her up - but be certain the helm has reached the windward side first.

Crew

1. It is important that the helm is able to sit down on the side. If they are left standing up at the back of the boat this is likely to result in either a poor gybe or capsize.
2. If either the wind increases or the helm is light you may need to help bring the boat up by moving to the new windward side.

Coming out of the gybe

The main and jib should come in together to accelerate the boat out of the gybe.

The top batten should flick across as the helm pulls the mainsail in and brings the boat back upright. Common reason for the batten not flicking are:

1. Too little kicker - boom lifts up too much as the boat comes upright
2. Too much kicker - top batten hooked
3. Top batten tension too high - try loosening the rope or velcro that holds it in the pocket.
4. Boat not heeled to windward enough in the gybe
5. Boat not brought upright quickly enough

Sail flat and fast

Helm and crew move forwards as required to lift the transom

Watch it on YouTube

Roll Gybing

Roll Gybing (Slow motion)