There are three main ways to gybe a spinnaker.
Big boats and racing yachts normally use an extra
set of guys and sheets called lazy guys/lazy sheets.
These are not shown in the illustrations. Generally
a spinnaker is gybed in the following way:
- Bear off to a dead run.
- Stabilize the spinnaker.
- Lead the pole to leeward and clip on the sheet.
- Gybe the main, head up and trim the spinnaker
on its new course.
Racing crews normally gybe the main and spinnaker
simultanously but many cruisers choose to gybe the
main after (or before) the spinnaker, especially with
a short and/or inexperienced crew. The problem is
that whenever the spinnaker is on the same side as
the main there is a danger of turbulence twisting
and tangling the spinnaker. On stable boats you may
sheet the main amidship to keep the spinnaker filled
while it is being gybed. |
