Laser gybing

   Part of the problem with gybing in a breeze is that most people want to slow the boat down. This is a mistake as there is then more 'load' on the rig when you gybe (and the boat tends to either blow over or trip over the foils).
The way to do it (I have found) is to have the board about half way up. Kicker set so the boom is 90 from the mast (i.e. not flying above that as it causes the leech to twist too far, I have stop knot that prevent is going off too far). Then just keep it nice and smooth, stay positive. Hike hard and ease the main to initiate the turn the let the rudder 'follow', give the usual heave on the mainsheet (to stop the sheet catching on the corner) as the boom starts to move get across the boat and straighten the rudder up and be ready to hike as soon as the boom is past your head.

If you get it right it looks impressive and you get a nice big acceleration out of the gybe as the power comes on. It takes a lot of practice so I would advise you practice your drills in lighter airs until they are second nature and you don't need to think about them.

The trick is you gybe the boat, you don't let the boat gybe you.

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jeffers Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 29 Mar 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3048	Post Options Post Reply Quote jeffers Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Laser gybing Posted: 02 Jul 12 at 7:46am
	Part of the problem with gybing in a breeze is that most people want to slow the boat down. This is a mistake as there is then more 'load' on the rig when you gybe (and the boat tends to either blow over or trip over the foils). The way to do it (I have found) is to have the board about half way up. Kicker set so the boom is 90 from the mast (i.e. not flying above that as it causes the leech to twist too far, I have stop knot that prevent is going off too far). Then just keep it nice and smooth, stay positive. Hike hard and ease the main to initiate the turn the let the rudder 'follow', give the usual heave on the mainsheet (to stop the sheet catching on the corner) as the boom starts to move get across the boat and straighten the rudder up and be ready to hike as soon as the boom is past your head. If you get it right it looks impressive and you get a nice big acceleration out of the gybe as the power comes on. It takes a lot of practice so I would advise you practice your drills in lighter airs until they are second nature and you don't need to think about them. The trick is you gybe the boat, you don't let the boat gybe you.
	Paul ---------------------- D-Zero GBR 74

Oatsandbeans Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Far too distracted from work Joined: 19 Sep 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 382	Post Options Post Reply Quote Oatsandbeans Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 02 Jul 12 at 12:06pm
	I agree 100% with Jeffers on this. If you want to see a video of this go on you tube "2008 Gorge Laser Performance clinic " there is a great example at 2:54 in of a reach to reach gybe done using windward heel and very little rudder ( freeze frame it halfway through to check), great speed in and out of the gybe and a nice tight turn. No S- ing with the helm, in fact he hardly uses any helm. There is also a great gybe at 2:40 showing you how easy it is to do a gybe on a run from sailing heavily bye the lee - just sheet the main in and it happens, even with a massive amount of heel on at the time -no capsize, it looks easy ( and it actually is!).

Cameron Winton Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 08 Nov 11 Location: Prestwick Online Status: Offline Posts: 41	Post Options Post Reply Quote Cameron Winton Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Jul 12 at 11:20pm
	Just home from a gybe/tack training session tonight. I would agree with the practise in light winds first. We were a bit ropey but it started to come. Windward heel going into gybe helps everything including the snagging of the main sheet. Takes a bit getting used to. Getting it right is noticeable a good oomph out of the gybe. must get the timing right of pulling in the mainsheet as well.