Submitted on January 16, 2007 by John Draeger

Question: My boat is rigged for outside jibes with the asymmetric and we have been doing barn door jibes. In other words, the clew is pulled outside/forward of the rest of the sail. The last time we sailed, a crewmember rigged the genaker sheets differently by running the lazy sheet between the forestay and the luff of the genaker. So when jibing, we pulled the clew of the sail between the forestay and the genaker luff. Jibing went OK in light air, about 5 knots. Is this a recommended way to jibe? Will this work well in heavy air or should we stick with the barn door style?

Thanks, JD

Answer: Hi John,

Whoever this crew member is, you need to give him a raise! His method is the preferred, safest way to gybe a Gennaker. The “barn door” method is OK in a breeze but always risks the lazy sheet dropping under the boat. The so-called “inside out” method where the last sheet is held captive between the forestay and the Gennaker luff is the more commonly used system for cruising sailors.

Best of luck!
John Gladstone

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