Jibing while racing

Submitted by vdotmatrix on Sun, 03/23/2014 - 10:19
Forums: 
Racer's Rap

While out choosing a race crew to man or crew for I practiced for a few hours with a skipper who insisted that when jibing , during a race, one would allow the boom to fly across through the eye of the wind, without centering the boom and gradually letting out the mainsail.
I didn't want to argue with the skipper but this was completely against the grain as far as I could tell. I couldn't reason with this skipper.
Does this topic even deserve discussion?
 
Thanks in advance

hot wheelz

Mon, 03/24/2014 - 20:27

We have actually broached and nearly capsized the Scot in big breeze trying to haul the mainsheet in to jibe. 
Best to go a bit by the lee to ease pressure, main nearly full out against the shroud, crew grabs the vang tackle and pulls hard, DUCK and let 'er rip across. Skipper needs to steer to keep the hull under the rig and not deal with the mainsheet. 
In lighter air, in order to keep the sheet from getting snagged on the rudder head, skipper grabs it ahead of the boom block to give it a flick only to remove excess slack. 
Scot main is big and steers the boat when centered, which is opposite of what is needed in a jibe. Get it from old side to new side ASAP.
 

sawyerspadre

Mon, 03/24/2014 - 21:19

I also often gybe this way.  I make sure that the mainsheet does not have so much slack that the boom can hit the shroud, and let her rip.  Keep in mind that if you are sailing with two, that the skipper is managing the guy and spinnaker sheet and steering the boat with the tiller between theIr knees, as the crew moves the pole, when jibing.  This is especially true on the leeward (non-triangle) legs.

Jim Nighan

Tue, 03/25/2014 - 20:35

What if your crew is not thrilled about grabbing the  vang?
if on a run even if you go a little by the lee the boom is not coming over  without some help.
All my other boats you could throw it over with the main sheet, but not so much with the scot.
thanks from a new owner and member
jim Nighan 760!

sawyerspadre

Tue, 03/25/2014 - 21:03

If you are already by the lee, Ifind if you grab the mainsheet just below the block on the boom and pull the boom in slightly, it will go across.  This helps avoid the slack catching on the corners of the stern, or snagging on the rudder head.  Because you have not pulled it through the ratchet block and cleat, the sail goes back out to where it needs to be on the new jibe, and is not over trimmed.

FS5516's picture

FS5516

Wed, 03/26/2014 - 19:47

I would strongly advise not getting in the habit of jibing by pulling on the vang. Main reason, the vang is the closet point on the boom to the mast. With pressure on the main, you are more than likely to bend the boom in the wrong way, especially if the wind is cranking. I jibe by allowing the wind do the work with a little assistance as needed. That might mean trimming the main a little and then letting it out as the boom comes across the boat.
Not sure what I mean, go and look at the boom on the boat. Imagine pressure is being spread across the entire length. Now picture yourself trying to move the aft end of the boom but doing it from the point of the vang. It's a long way down there!

Julian

Mon, 04/14/2014 - 04:24

In heavy air a technique I learnt when sailing boats larger than Scots is to grab the mainsheet behind the block on the boom, leaving the tail cleated. By pulling down at that point you have a 2:1 advantage.
This helps you pull the boom in quickly, flip it over and release it quickly, but under control.
The canvas whoopie thing on a FS complicates this, but ith a little paractice this is a fast and controlled maneuver.
 
 

DE1313

Fri, 03/28/2014 - 19:15

so here is a vid of a gybe on the Scot using the Vang...if you don't use it in heavy air, it is too unpredictable in regards to when the main comes over...
http://youtu.be/dM9PD1eRCN4
d

dgirving

Wed, 04/02/2014 - 15:50

Cool video! Great discussion.  Depends on the crew...I square up downwind (esp important in hvy wind) and a quick tug under the mid-boom block (my rig is 2:1 now, 1:1 in light air...was not as effective 3:1) and let her rip. I don't like inexperienced crew (or my kids who I race with a lot) to grab the vang or anything else during the jibe, just stay clear.  Sailing with more experienced crew, the vang grab would be a good way to go so the skipper can fly the spinnaker around and keep the hull balanced and controlled, just relieve a little pressure before it goes like Jay said. 
How how about a thread on best practices on jibing the spinnaker?!
Dave

sawyerspadre

Wed, 04/02/2014 - 23:43

The beauty of a forum is that you can start a new thread!
Jibe pole before main or after?
Differences sailing with two versus three in the boat?
Heavy air versus light air techniques?