Could you program the autopilot to do an S-gybe? That'd help, although
the timing would still be critical.


OzOne wrote:
I wouldn't think so.
As the bow passes facing directly down the wavefront, you need to
start pulling against the tendency to round back up and do a surfers
flickout over the top of the wave.
Again the timing and above all feel is critical here.
I couldn't see an AP doing it.

Now that you mention it, I don't think so either. Helm pressure is not
constant among other things... you'd need a *very* smart autopilot to do
it. Plus (and this is what I was thinking earlier) the timing of the
turn with the pull & release of the mainsheet is not a constant thing
either... at times the main just *won't* go over until long after you
think it should, and the helmsman has to be able to respond accordingly.



The stakes are a lot higher than gybing other boats, that's for sure.


My guess is that single handed, they just pick the biggest wave they
can, surf to build up as much speed as possible to reduce the load on
the gear, then turn her thru and pray that the speed stays high to
protect the rig.
(shudder)

Shudder, hell!!

Now you've got me curious... how DO they gybe these things? I bet they
turn quick enough that you could do a North River gybe *if* you can time
it right with the waves.

Personally, I'd think seriously about just hauling the main down in it's
gear until there was only ten feet or so showing, and then putting it
over by hand and hoisting again. Lot of hard work though.

DSK