On Thu, 23 Oct 2003 01:27:35 UTC, Ryk wrote:


I'm about to add a spin rig on my Hughes 35 (I=44ft, J=14.5ft). A
little googling yields a variety of opinions on the reasonable upper
size limit for an end-for-end gybe. I think the boat is too big to
manage it with single, loaded sheets, but that it should be manageable
with separate sheets and guys. I'm looking for other opinions and/or
suggestions on what works best for you.

As for thrills, a gybe in 20 or 30 knots of breeze can be pretty
exciting no matter how it's choreographed ;-)

Long long ago I did lots of gybes both ways... On a 3/4 tonner we
always dipped, but when match racing in 35 footers, the other guys
blew us away in the first race by end for ending... We changed!

End for end can be faster because you do not have to dip the pole. The
foreguy can be brought back near the mast and need not be adjusted
except for some slack...One less person needed.

Obviously, twin sheets/guys make it easier....

One major advantage of end for ending is that the pole goes out square
where you want it to be.

In really heavy air, I find that gybes (end for end, single sheets) in
my Etchells are no harder in 25 than in 15. It is much easier if you
gybe the pole "early" so it is made onto the mast entirely behind the
main, then pull the main over. When done that way, the heaviest load
handled is the main sheet! And the most dangerous point is that the
mainsheet always wants to catch my neck!

There is no reason that you could not do single sheet end for end
gybes. The major fault point is the helmsman rotating the boat too
quickly. If you are racing, sometimes there is no choice. If you are
cruising then you can pick your spot. So it depends to a certain
extent upon the crew being fast enough to stay ahead of what the
skipper wants to do!... That might mean double sheets for you.


Geoff