The idea of an easer “safe gybe” comes from Howard Rice and John Welsford – it works spectacularly well with unstayed rigs whether lug, bermudan or gaff and also provides some pointers for stayed rig boats – it can also be extended towards racing sailboats on a racecourse or for those of us who like practicing until we can execute a manoeuvre elegantly. This is one of our free online sailing lessons.
The idea wasn’t unfamiliar to me, but those two made the step of teaching it as the standard gybe for their seamanship classes in Port Townsend – and extending from there.
I want to show why it works and then extend it towards a racing style gybe. But a racing style gybe with less stress and more finesse.
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What is the problem with gybing a sailboat?
Normally there are two components that freak people out.
- When and how will the boom come over
- How to deal with the excessive power
- How to stop the sudden heeling.
The reason these are problems is because what really happens is misunderstood.
This leads to focus on the wrong parts.
Let’s start by taking some of the factors out of the equation so there is less to think about.
The “Safe Gybe” Method to remove the pressure
If you are lucky, as many who build their own boats are, you will be sailing with an unstayed rig. The big advantage of the unstayed rig is that there is no obstruction to stop the sail from rotating to any reasonable point.
Where stayed rigs have fewer depowered modes where the sail will be partly or fully luffing. However this method will still help.
The trick of the safe gybe is
Steering and balance are the focus and power is removed from the gybe.
After the gybe the power is re-established and course chosen.
- Sail is pulled back just enough that all of the leach – the back edge of the sail is behind a 90 degree angle to the centreline of the boat.
- Then steer progressively to gybe and also focus on keeping the boat flat progressively. The crew keeps the boat flat as any heel appears. The normal mistake is the crew thinks “we have to rush across” so they delay moving across thus making the classic mistake of creating a rush.
- When the boom starts moving over the power from the sail starts disappearing and when the sail gets to the other side it will have little or no power because the boat is broadside to the wind and the sail is still eased.
- Steer onto course and the sail will fill and the boat accelerate.
Common Mistakes that mess up the Safe Gybe with Video!
1/ Don’t pull in too much sheet
Biggest single mistake is pulling in too much sail before the gybe. This is a common method on bigger boats and catamarans.
But it is totally wrong for the dinghies. Leave the boom just a bit back from 90 degrees before the gybe. And leave it there.
If your boat has side stays, just pull the sheet so the boom is a small distance from the stay – maybe an inch (25mm).
2/ Don’t try to stop the boom from crashing on the other side
If you try to slow the boom you are creating power in the sail. Also doing something unnecessary and forgetting to balance the boat.
3/ Do not crouch in the middle of the boat – one crew member on each side to start and move to balance if any heel appears.
If both crew crouch in the middle the boat will roll from side to side fast and there will be little time to correct.
If both crew sit on opposite sides the boat will roll from side to side much more slowly.
And here a video where all of these mistakes are made. To be fair, the sailor in the boat is excellent – my friend John Goodman – but he is used to large racing catamarans which pull the mainsheet in to gybe.
But not on sailing dinghies!
Video image can take a moment to load.
More tips from a gybe video where the sailboat also capsizes
There is a diagram below for a more performance oriented gybe that keeps a lot of the “safe gybe” thinking.
But first another gybe and capsize video analysis. See how much you pick up. The original discussion on Facebook is here.
Video image can take a moment to load.
How to reduce the chances of the capsize above
Don’t ease boom out too far
Boom was out too far. If getting used to the boat put a knot in mainsheet before going out when boom is out at around 80 degrees until you get used to the boat.
A good tip is if you imagine a line 90 degrees to the centreline of the boat at the mast, no part of the back of the sail (the leach) from top to bottom should be ahead of that line. (Thanks Khiem Tran for that visual cue)
Reduce sail twist with Downhaul tension for balance lugs, vang for other dinghies
The boom vang or lug rig downhaul prevents the sail from twisting excessively.
If the sail twists the leach of the sail moves too far forward making the boat heel to leeward.
In the video the boom was lifting in gusts and small wave bumps before the capsize showing the downhaul was nowhere near tight enough. Also check location from tack if sail in rigging guide.
The downhaul on a balance lug rig should be really really tight in that wind. It should hum when twanged.
If not tight the top of the sail moves forward of 90 degrees. And you get exactly that type of roll.
From this angle you can see this dinghy has the top third of the mainsail forward of 90 degrees. If the boom had been pulled back a little more the boat would not be capsizing.
The downhaul on a lug rig has three settings:
- Light wind when the boat is hard to get moving it can be a bit loose
- Once boat can move reliably go very tight
- When wind might be pushing your current skill level crazy animal tight.
Crew is crouched in middle of boat making the boat Roll too easily.
Both crew were in the middle of the boat which increases the speed of a roll many times.
You just won’t have much reaction time. If the are on or next to opposite gunwales the rate of roll is much slower. Same as in the previous video.
Many sailors might be happy just to stay with the safe gybe, but there are artists among us
What does a Fast, efficient and safe gybe look like?
A bit more power but putting it in the right direction so it doesn’t heel the boat requires just a small change from the safe gybe to make a fast gybe.
Pull in the mainsheet one or two armfuls – brings the boom back to around 80 degrees (you learn precisely how much by practicing in different wind conditions – it differs.)
Before gybe have crew firmly on leeward (soon to be windward) side and you on windward.
Commence a gradual turn in a smooth arc. Move yourself progressively to get rid of heel as it happens. Judging when to rush across just makes a mess – get rid of heel progressively as it happens.
When boom is on its way over steer in the reverse direction so boat points more downwind. This means the sail force is forwards rather than sideways when the sail fills on the other side.
Recap – View the videos again and see where you can improve next time
