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Basic Spinnaker Tasks

End for End Gybe - Updated 6/9/2014

  • Index
  • Launching a Spinnaker
  • Spinnaker Trim
  • End for End Gybe
  • Spinnaker Douse
  • Packing a Spinnaker

    Gybe

    Gybing is simply turning the boat and keeping the spinnaker in more or less the same position while moving the pole from the old windward side to the new windward side as the boat makes its slow turn. This requires the cooperation of every position
    • Guy trimmer
      1. Move the pole back as far as possible but short of the shrouds. This is called "squaring the pole".
      2. As the bowman starts to bring the pole back to the mast, ease the old guy (new sheet) about a foot to ease pressure on the line
      3. After the gybe, switch sides with the sheet trimmer to trim the new guy.
      4. After the bowman yells "made", ease the pole forward.
      5. Trimming the pole to the new course, likely by moving the pole forward as the apparent wind shifts forward.
    • Pitman
      1. Release the twing on the guy.
      2. Ease the foreguy as the guy is trimmed back to square up the pole.
      3. On Papoose, where there is a double ended main, assist the main trimmer with the gybe.
      4. Taking in the foreguy as the pole is moved forward after the gybe. This is very important as a lose foreguy can allow the pole to "sky" which can lead to an accidentla gybe and a bunch of bad stuff.
      5. Set the twing on the new guy.
      6. If the pole needs to come down to allow the bowman to reach it, lower the tip by working the topping lift and foreguy. Note: Always keep the pole controlled by having the topping lift, foreguy, and aft guy lock the pole tip in position.
    • Sheet trimmer
      1. Let the sheet out as the pole is brought back to keep the spinnaker flying full during the gybe. Remember, we are not so much moving the spinnaker as we are keeping it in the same place as the boat is turned.
      2. When the bowman is attaching the pole to the new guy (old sheet), make sure there is enough slack or it will be impossible for the bowman to get the pole on the mast against the pressure of the new guy. However, the new tack does not need to go forward to the forestay. Instead, east the old sheet (new guy) about a foot just as the bowman brings the pole to the mast. This will release pressure as there will be a delay between the quick ease and when the sail starts to pull again.
      3. After the the gybe, switch with the guy trimmer and trim the new sheet.
      4. When the bowman yells "made", trim in the sheet as the guy trimmer moves the pole forward.
    • Bowman
      1. After the pole is square and when the helmsman calls "Ready to gybe", respond "Ready" and grab the sheet.
      2. When helmsman calls "Gybing" or starts a 3-2-1 count, trip the line to release the pole form the mast.
      3. Move the pole Athwartship toward its new position clipping the new guy in the jaw
      4. Trip the other line to release the old guy.
      5. Continue moving the pole to its new position and clip it on the mast
      6. Yell "Made".
    • Mainsheet trimmer
      1. When the order is given to gybe, in light winds swing the boom across the boat after the bowman yells "made"
      2. In moderate or heavy winds (virtually always on Papoose) bring the main to the center of the boat, gybe it, and let it out quickly, again after you hear "Made".
    • Helmsman
      1. "Ready to Gybe?"
      2. After everyone is ready, count off "3, 2, 1, Gybe" or just command"Gybing.
      3. Slowly head the boat dead down wind
      4. After "Made" and the boom is across, head to the new course.
    Here is a training video I found on Youtube. This boat does not square the pole up before the gybe so things are a little different than discussed above. This video covers all aspects of using a spinnaker, not just gybing.


    Here is a gybe on Lazy Lightning. I believe this is the first time this bowman performed a gybe. He has a little trouble at the end but pulls it off wonderfully otherwise. Notice that the pole is almost perpendicular to the boat and is moved across the boat to execute the gybe. This keeps the spinnaker close to the boat where it is more easily kept under control.

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