Two Types Of Asymmetric Gybe

Book Extract

There are two ways the crew can manage the gennaker through the gybe. Here we’ll call the two versions the ‘blow-through’ gybe and the ‘pull-through’ gybe.

Blow!
The blow-through involves holding on to the old sheet through the gybe and keeping the gennaker sheeted in its old position until the wind on the new windward side of the boat is blowing the kite against the jib and forestay. At this point the crew releases the old sheet and rapidly sheets on with the new gennaker sheet. If you do it quick enough, you can snap on the new sheet and the kite will fill instantly on the new gybe. 

This works particularly well on boats with long bowsprits such as the International 14, where the kite has a nice big space to blow past the forestay. It does not work so well on boats like the 49er with a short bowsprit, making the gennaker prone to sticking against the jib, particularly if the kite is wet and old. Newer kites with their slippery finish tend to blow through much more nicely than older ones.

Pull!
The pull-through gybe involves the crew starting to haul on the new sheet as you begin the gybe manoeuvre. As the boom is gybing, the clew of the kite should be coming past the forestay and, by the time you’re onto the new course for the new gybe, the kite should be in place and already setting on the new side. 

When you get the timing right, the pull-through gybe is very fast and efficient, requiring less steering to get the flow re-attached on the gennaker. But it requires more physical effort and more timing to get it right.

Which?

So, which is best? In the majority of cases, the blow-through gybe will serve you very well. It requires less effort and less timing to get it right, but if you find the kite is sticking to the jib, it might mean it’s time to shell out some money on a new one. You should still practise the pull-through gybe too, though. It is the best light-wind option, as we’ll explain in the next chapter.

 

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The Asymmetric Dinghy Book is written by Andy Rice. Andy is a championship winning dinghy sailor. A spell in the British Olympic Squad led him to sailing journalism – he now writes for a number of dinghy and yacht racing magazines including Seahorse, Yachts & Yachting, Yachting World and Sailing World. He is editor of the go-faster website SailJuice.com, aimed at sailors who want to improve their skills, and owner of Sailing Intelligence, a specialist media agency for the sailing and marine market.