How do I jibe a sailboat safely and smoothly?
I sail a 32ft cruising yacht with a wheel, roller genoa and conventional mainsail, usually with one other person. Our gybes sometimes finish with the boom crashing across and the boat rounding up. What should we do differently?
Answer
To gybe safely and smoothly, prepare the crew and sheets, bring the boom towards the centreline under mainsheet control, then steer steadily through dead downwind and ease the main onto the new side. Keep the course change small and the transfer of sail pressure controlled, with everyone clear of the boom and mainsheet.
Check the boat and brief crew
Start on a steady broad reach, with clear water for the turn and recovery. Check wind direction, waves and traffic before turning your attention to the sails. An unexpected roll or hurried course correction can start the gybe before you are ready.
On a typical cruising yacht, put one person on the helm and another on the mainsheet. Agree the new course and use clear calls: "Stand by to gybe", "Ready", then "Gybing". If sailing alone, organise the lines within reach before starting.
- Check that the mainsheet, traveller and genoa sheets can run without catching on winch handles, cockpit cushions or loose rope.
- If a preventer is fitted, bring it under control and release it before the boom needs to cross. Never attempt the turn against a secured preventer.
- Set the kicking strap or vang for normal downwind sail shape, avoiding excessive tension.
- Move crew into secure positions where they can duck and stay clear of the moving tackle.
Keep heads below the boom's sweep. Keep hands, feet and bodies outside the mainsheet's path, including the space swept by its blocks.
Gybe in five controlled steps
- Bear away gradually. From your broad reach, turn towards dead downwind, keeping enough speed for reliable steering. Avoid sudden, large helm movements.
- Shorten the mainsheet. As the mainsail unloads, sheet in progressively to bring the boom towards the centreline. Use the sheet and its winch where fitted. Do not grab the boom or a bundle of moving tackle.
- Cross dead downwind gently. Once everyone is ready and the boom is controlled, steer just far enough for the wind to reach the other side of the mainsail. Watch the sail and wind indicator rather than relying solely on a compass heading.
- Ease the main promptly. As the boom crosses, feed out the mainsheet smoothly so the sail can open on the new side. Control the line throughout: do not let it run free or hold the main tightly amidships.
- Settle on the new broad reach. Straighten the helm, transfer the genoa sheets and trim both sails for the new course. Adjust the traveller if needed and check that the boat is balanced.