Tack or Gybe ?

CAPTAIN FANTASTIC

CAPTAIN FANTASTIC

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The scenario is that you are sailing close-hauled, hard against high wind and big waves and you want to turn back. However, the concern is that if you turn, either by tacking or gybing, you may end up having a big wave straight on your broad side, risking a knocked down; would you tack or gybe ?

Personally, from experience, I would time it, to position the boat on top of a flattish wave, sheet in and make a controlled gybe, ensuring that the boat does not fall off the wave.

What would you have done?
 
Drop the main into the stackpac, tidy up on the run back, bear away under jib or if you don't want to head on the resultant course, slight bear away, tack but don't release sheet, jib backs, heaves bow round , release sheet, now on a safe run.
 
Gybe. Probably just my rubbish sailing, but in those conditions I always seem to end up hitting a wave head-on and ending up 'in irons' when tacking.
 
Depends.
If I had too much sail up, I might tack if I was sure I could get the boat through the wind.
I might also put another reef in first.
If you bear off a bit and want to pick your moment to gybe, does that give you more space/flatter water/keep you away from ferries etc etc?
Or does tacking before bearing off give you more space etc?

On the whole, in many boats I would prefer to avoid gybing in 'bad' waves, particularly if I don't have a strong crew to work the mainsheet.
 
why would you sheet in before gybing. Normally I would ease the main before gybing to keep speed up and reduce apparent wind. If you sheet in before gybing you will put the boat on her side as you bear away. NO??

Otherwise a tack is much safer.
 
Spyro said:
why would you sheet in before gybing. Normally I would ease the main before gybing to keep speed up and reduce apparent wind. If you sheet in before gybing you will put the boat on her side as you bear away. NO??

Otherwise a tack is much safer.
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You mean you'd just let the main crash over once you were a long way by the lee?
That is not good on many boats.
 
Depends on if open waters or hazards near by.

Probably tack shake a reef out then see what speed we clock.

To me the question is a bit of a none starter, either way tack or Gybe you have to go broadside on to the waves.

As long as you can get your head through the wind a tack is a safer bet.
 
Bav34 said:
Drop the main into the stackpac, tidy up on the run back, bear away under jib or if you don't want to head on the resultant course, slight bear away, tack but don't release sheet, jib backs, heaves bow round , release sheet, now on a safe run.
Click to expand...

+1
 
lw395 said:
You mean you'd just let the main crash over once you were a long way by the lee?
That is not good on many boats.
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I don't like giving the main too much freedom in a gybe, but I DO ease it very smartly after a gybe - appropriate to whatever course we now are following.
Nobody leaves a main pinned after gybing ???
Just ease it properly .... BEFORE that next following sea gets your aft end....:)


Graeme
 
I would tack, done it in the past in conditions you describe, worked well and very controlled and would do it again.

The problem comes when you get ready to gybe and the motion of the boat is suddenly a lot different than you or your crew are used to which makes everyone a bit unsteady and unfamiliar with the movement, and this is when accidents can happen.

You're not racing, so there is no hurry or rush to do it in what, at the time, seems a bit of flat water.
 
Given that you're thinking of turning back 'cos there's too much wind and you're aiming to run down wind ish, then I'd get rid of the main into the stack pack, tack the boat and be prepared to reef the genoa as you go. I'd gybe only if it were there was any doubt that the boat might not have enough way on to tack - but that's just me.
 
duncan99210 said:
Given that you're thinking of turning back 'cos there's too much wind and you're aiming to run down wind ish, then I'd get rid of the main into the stack pack, tack the boat and be prepared to reef the genoa as you go. I'd gybe only if it were there was any doubt that the boat might not have enough way on to tack - but that's just me.
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I'm invisible :).

My thoughts exactly. Given 'high winds and big waves' I can't imagine ever wanting a main up when running down wind. Just how fast (and dangerously) do you want to go?
 
duncan99210 said:
Given that you're thinking of turning back 'cos there's too much wind and you're aiming to run down wind ish, then I'd get rid of the main into the stack pack, tack the boat and be prepared to reef the genoa as you go. I'd gybe only if it were there was any doubt that the boat might not have enough way on to tack - but that's just me.
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+1
Did it once, with engine on. Definitely get rid of the main and be ready to furl a lot of jib once around.
 
Spyro said:
why would you sheet in before gybing. Normally I would ease the main before gybing to keep speed up and reduce apparent wind. If you sheet in before gybing you will put the boat on her side as you bear away. NO??

Otherwise a tack is much safer.
Click to expand...

I would ease the main as I bore off onto a run and then haul the main in before putting the stern through the wind. Having the boom swing overhead uncontrolled is rather alarming I find.


Personally in the conditions in the OP's post I would probably tack and bare away. If I was feeling active and had either a capable crew or helmsman I might consider tricing the main, scandalising the peak and then bearing away for the gybe, it is an awful lot more effort but to a knowledgeable observer would look rather spectacular.
 
pagoda said:
I don't like giving the main too much freedom in a gybe, but I DO ease it very smartly after a gybe - appropriate to whatever course we now are following.
Nobody leaves a main pinned after gybing ???
Just ease it properly .... BEFORE that next following sea gets your aft end....:)


Graeme
Click to expand...

Yes.
On my boat I had really good Harken main blocks, you could use the ratchet block to let the main out as it came over, well under control. Boats with lesser gear I'd probably cleat it then ease away as soon as it's over.
 
Gybing in strong wind

The standard training for this situation is to pull the main sheet in as the boat turns and the main can be pulled in but rather than cleat the main sheet you let it go loose. The main sheet being pulled out through the pulleys will soften the crash at the extremes. Called smoking the main sheet. The other rule is to have the boat going as fast as possible before the gybe to reduce apparent wind speed. My personal rule on a small tiller steered boat is to sit on the leeward side before the gybe ie windward after the gybe to ready and able to control the round up after gybe. (it can be very savage and has laid the boat over if not controlled)
Of course yes reduce sail even remove main sail however you may need the main further along the path for up wind sailing or just luffing up to a buoy.That depends on circumstances.
I would try the tack first it soon becomes apparent if tacking can't be done even when using backing of the jib to help the tack. I have occasionally found tacking difficult. good luck and happy Christmas to everyone olewill
 
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