Jibing Techniques and Downwind Sailing
MAINSAIL: Before the jibe, the boat will be sailing on a deep reach or run. The mainsail should be no less than three- quarters of the way out to the shroud. To keep the boat moving quickly, the mainsail needs to stay far out and catch wind. Trimming the sail in to the middle of the boat is safe in light to moderate breeze, but it is not as efficient or effective as leaving the sail out to catch the wind. The skipper will alert their crew to a jibe, confirm that everyone is ready, initiate the turn, then grab the multiple parts of the mainsheet to pull the mainsail across the boat with a snap or jerk while ducking under the boom as the sail comes across.
STEERING JIBES C-TURN: It may be helpful to think of steering the boat in an elongated letter “C” in most jibing situations. The pace at which the boat turns should be consistent until the sails and sailors cross sides. The tiller only needs to be turned a little to make the jibe smooth and controlled. The turn should be significantly smaller and less dramatic than when tacking; the boat is only turning through 15° to 25° in a jibe, compared to 90° in a tack.
S-TURN: S-turns, or safety jibes, are useful for jibing in heavier winds. As described earlier, when the wind speed increases the sudden impact when the mainsail transitions from one side to the other also increases. In light and moderate wind speeds, sailors maintain control of the boat by keeping it heading straight after the mainsail transitions by using their weight and the rudder. As the wind speed increases, the sudden impact on the sail pushes the boat to round up suddenly. Rounding up is like heading up, but it is out of control and carries a high risk of causing a capsize if the boom hits the water. There is a way for a skipper to counteract rounding up by using an S-turn.
A key point to remember is that jibing is an action rather than a reaction to the boat and sail
movements.To perform an S-turn, the skipper will follow all the steps previously outlined for a jibe until the sail crosses the boat. At the instant the sail crosses, the skipper reverses the tiller slightly and steers slightly back into the jibe. However, remember that if you turn too far, the boat will jibe back; if you turn too little, the boat will round up. Each boat requires a different amount of counter-turn, depending on wind strength and boat type.
C-TURN
S-TURN
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