On Tue, 06 Apr 2004 09:47:35 -0400, Rodney Myrvaagnes
wrote:
Our pole has both ends the same, so jibes are done dinghy style, and
only in light air. I don't see any way to do a dip pole without a
third person.

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It can be done with an autopilot and a little practice, at least in
light to moderate wind and seas.

The autopilot steers the boat on a dead run.

Boom is sheeted amidship, spinnaker pole, sheet and guy are squared.

Foredeck person goes forward to trip the pole off.

Cockpit person dips the topping lift.

Foredeck person brings pole through fore triangle and reclips to lazy
guy.

Cockpit person raises topping lift, foredeck returns to cockpit.

Mainsail is jibed over.

Sheets and guys retrimmed to new course.

Autopilot steers, crew returns to Margaritaville.

The advantage of sheeting the boom amidship during the jibe is that it
helps to keep the spinnaker full, and it is one less thing for the
cockpit person to be concerned with. This is risky in heavier air
however because the wind can catch the main and cause a broach.