Learning to Sail: Gybing at 65+ – A Gentle Swing and a Perfect Stop
Welcome back to another chapter in my ongoing escapades of learning to sail as a 65+ year-old at the Upper Thames Sailing Club. This time, we’re tackling something that tends to make beginners break into a cold sweat: gybing. Suppose tacking is the friendly, predictable cousin of changing direction. In that case, gybing is the slightly more unpredictable one that you want to approach with caution—especially when your head is at risk from a rapidly swinging boom!
On the Start Sail Course, I had my first-ever gybe with the trusty help of my instructor, Mark, who followed us closely in the safety boat, and my wife, who acted as my crew. The wind was behind us, and we were heading downriver, making our way back to the club moorings. I wanted to turn the boat 180 degrees to face into the wind and bring it gently into the moorings, but this meant gybing rather than tacking—since a tack would have ended up with us on the wrong side of the river, potentially into the reeds (or worse, the pub’s patio)!
With a mix of nerves and excitement, I gave it a go. I am pleased to report that we executed a beautifully smooth gybe, the boom swung around just as it should, and we glided to a gentle stop just inches away from the mooring. It’s safe to say, I was rather impressed with myself! Let’s talk about how to gybe properly, how to avoid any mishaps, and why it’s important to keep your head out of the way.
What is Gybing?
Gybing is a manoeuvre used to change direction when sailing with the wind behind you, where the stern (back) of the boat passes through the wind. Unlike tacking, which involves turning the bow through the wind, gybing can be a bit trickier, as it involves the sail swinging across quickly, and, if not managed properly, it can pack quite a wallop!
Think of gybing as gracefully pivoting while trying not to trip over the broom handle you're holding—except the broom handle is actually a heavy boom, and it could knock you into the river if you’re not careful.
Step-by-Step Guide to Gybing
Gybing can be safe and controlled if you follow the proper steps. Here’s how to do it:
1. Prepare the Crew and Boat
Before attempting a gybe, make sure everyone knows what’s about to happen. Announce clearly, “Ready to gybe?” to let your crew know they need to be prepared. The boom is about to swing across the boat, and everyone needs to be aware and ready to duck if needed!
- Check Your Position: Make sure you have enough space on the river and aren’t going to gybe straight into an obstacle, like a moored boat or, worse, a row of swans that look far too comfortable.
2. Steer Downwind
To start the gybe, gently steer the boat more downwind. You’ll want to keep a steady hand on the tiller, as sudden jerks can cause unexpected results (often involving a swim you didn’t plan for).
- Hold the Tiller Steady: Aim to keep the tiller movements slow and deliberate. The idea is to keep the boat stable as it moves through the wind.
3. Control the Mainsail
As the stern passes through the wind, the mainsail will want to swing across to the other side of the boat. This is where it’s crucial to keep control:
- Sheet In the Mainsail: Before you turn through the wind, sheet in (pull in) the mainsail a bit. This will reduce the force when the boom swings over. Imagine you’re trying to take away its enthusiasm for swinging wildly.
- Boom Awareness: This is the big moment—keep your head low and your eyes on the boom. A swinging boom is like a friendly but overly enthusiastic pet—it can knock you right over if you’re not careful!
4. Steer Onto Your New Course
Once the boom swings across, it’s time to steer the boat onto its new course. Straighten out the tiller and ease the mainsail back out once you’ve settled into your new direction.
- Balance the Boat: The boat may heel (tilt) a bit during the gybe, so be ready to move your weight to keep it balanced. Think of it as shifting your weight in a game of musical chairs—except the stakes are slightly higher.
5. Trim the Sails
Once the gybe is complete, adjust the sails to match your new course. If you’re still heading downwind, you’ll want to let the sails out again. If you’re heading upwind (like I was, towards the mooring), you’ll need to trim the sails tighter to catch the wind efficiently.
Safety Tips for Gybing
Gybing can be a smooth manoeuvre, but it comes with its own risks—especially when it comes to that heavy boom. Here are some key safety points to keep in mind:
1. Keep Your Head Down
The boom can swing across with surprising speed, and the last thing you want is to be in its path. Make sure everyone is aware of where the boom is, and duck when in doubt!
2. Control the Boom
Sheeting in the mainsail before initiating the gybe helps control the speed of the boom as it crosses the boat. It’s like taming a hyperactive toddler—keeping it close reduces the chances of something going awry.
3. Communicate with Your Crew
Clear communication is essential. Let everyone know when you’re about to gybe and what they need to do. A simple, “Ready to gybe?” and waiting for the all-clear from the crew makes all the difference.
4. Use a Safety Boat (If Possible)
Especially when you’re learning, having an instructor in a safety boat nearby is invaluable. Not only do they provide advice and reassurance, but they’re also there in case something doesn’t go quite as planned—like the time I ended up wrapped around the centreboard during capsize practice!
My First Gybing Experience
With all of this knowledge in mind, you might wonder how my first gybe went. Well, as I mentioned, I had instructor Mark in the safety boat behind us, which gave me a good deal of comfort (it’s always nice to know there’s backup if things go sideways). With my wife as crew, we had the wind behind us as we headed downriver, and I wanted to turn the boat 180 degrees to face into the wind and bring it to the moorings.
I announced, “Ready to gybe?”—although, in hindsight, it may have sounded more like a question than a command. My wife nodded, slightly wide-eyed, and I began to turn the tiller to bring the stern through the wind.
The boom swung across, and to my great relief, no one was knocked overboard. The boat gently turned, and we found ourselves facing the right direction, inching towards the bank. In what can only be described as beginner’s luck (or perhaps Mark’s careful instructions), we glided to a stop just inches from the mooring. I think I even heard a round of applause from Mark in the safety boat—either that, or he was just happy he didn’t have to fish us out of the water.
Final Thoughts: Embrace the Gybe
Gybing can be a daunting prospect for new sailors, but with practice and patience, it becomes just another part of the sailing repertoire. The key is preparation—make sure your crew knows what’s coming, keep control of the boom, and keep your head down (literally). With these steps, gybing can be a smooth and even enjoyable manoeuvre.
So, next time you’re sailing downwind and need to turn, don’t be afraid to gybe. With a bit of practice, you might just find it becomes one of your favourite ways to change direction (okay, maybe not favourite, but at least less terrifying).
Until next time—happy sailing, and may your gybes always be gentle!
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