Topic: Gybing in strong winds

Gybing in strong winds can be a challenge

Getting a 12 through a gybe in strong winds is probably the most challenging bit of boat handling you are likely to experience.

Don't be put off if you capsize a few times initially, to get it right consistently will take quite a bit of practice. And if it is really wild then don't be afraid to tack around instead.

The golden rules are:

1. Gybe with the boat flat.
2. Gybe when going really fast

On the approach

Look around for gusts. You don't want to gybe just as a gust hits.

Don't be afraid to go past the mark if it's not the right moment (as long as there is no one on the outside).

1. If a big gust is about to hit or you're heeled over then waiting is better than attempting and capsizing.
2. If you are sailing in waves, wait until you're going down a wave fast. When you feel the pressure come off the mainsail, go for it.

3. If it's breezy then both the helm and crew should stay sitting right at the transom for as long as possible to keep the bow out of the water.

Preparation

Helm

Helm takes in some mainsheet so the sail doesn't have so far to travel. This also provides some sideways stability when coming out of the gybe.

Crew

1. Pull on the shrouds (might be helm depending on layout)
2. Adjust the dangly pole so it will swing freely inside the jib luff.
3. The board should be a third to half way up. This helps the boat slide sideways when coming out of the gybe, which makes her a bit more forgiving.

Change hands

Getting the mainsheet and tiller mixed up is often a problem. There are different techniques for changing hands. Most helms like to change hands before the gybe, some prefer to hold both the tiller and mainsheet in one hand. Try both approaches and see what works for you.

Bear away

Make sure the boat is flat before you start to turn. The 12 will never gybe heeled to leeward:the rudder will stall and you'll capsize.

Use just a little rudder to start the turn. As the turn is in progress more rudder can be used. The quicker you are going the less movement you need.

Sail a nice smooth arc going into the gybe, this keeps the speed on and the pressure off.

Helm starts to cross to keep the boat flat.

Encourage the boom across

The crew should pull the boom across with the kicker and the helm should give the main sheet a tug.

If the gybe does hesitate (boom won't come across) then the best recovery plan is to bail out. Head back onto a reach, get your speed up and try again.

The reasons for the gybe hesitating are usually:

1. Not enough main sheet in
2. Kicker too loose so the top of the sail won't come across
3. The boat hasn't turned enough or
4. The crew didn't pull the boom hard enough.

Boom crosses

If your preparation is good the boom will flick across very quickly. Be sure to duck!

The crew should be in the middle of boat ready to correct for the helm

The helm should be on their way towards the other side as the boom comes 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.

Common issues caused by the tiller not being in the middle or the boat being heeled as the boom hits are:

1. Death rolling (capsizing to windward) or
2. Capsizing to leeward
3. Broaching (shooting off out of control upwind)

One good technique is for the helm to put the tiller extension on the deck on the new side and press down on to it while moving on to the new side. This locks the tiller in the middle.

Get the boat flat

The helm should get up on deck and the crew should then balance the helm and make any minor corrections to get the boat flat and moving.

1. Be ready to go to the back immediately after the gybe to avoid a nose dive.

2. If you do nose dive then you can try pumping the jib to pull the bow out.

Hooray!

You've done it, off down the reach we go.

Watch it on Google Video

Gybing right

Gybing gone wrong

Gybing nose dive (best avoided)

Gybing diving (don't try at home)