Thursday 28 April 2011

Asymmetrical spinnakers jibbing

What about changing tacks?
Asymmetrical spinnakers are generally jibed, not tacked. Start with sail fully loaded. Bear off slowly, easing
the sheet as smooth and fast as you can without collapsing the sail. The trick is to use the sheet pressure to get
the sail out in front of the boat. If you don't get the sail eased out before the boat gets downwind, it will collapse
and fall into the headstay. As the boat passes through dead downwind, release the old sheet completely and take
up on the new sheet. The sail is jibed outside and in front of the headstay. If you have a long enough bowsprit,
and it is blowing pretty hard, you may want to try jibing inside the tack downhaul. No matter which system you
use, turn from a broad reach to a broad reach. Do not stop in the middle of the turn, or you will encourage the
sail to get wrapped around the headstay. The lighter the air, the higher the reaching angle you will need to sail,
both at the outset, and as you exit the jibe. In very light air, you may have to physically help the sail around the
headstay.

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