Mirror gybe
Printed From: Yachts and Yachting Online
Category: Dinghy classes
Forum Name: Technique
Forum Discription: 'How to' section for dinghy questions and answers
URL: http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=11488
Printed Date: 07 Aug 25 at 1:42am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.665y - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Mirror gybe
Posted By: about a boat
Subject: Mirror gybe
Date Posted: 22 May 14 at 9:43am
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Hi, A little advice required. I have a Mirror with an end to end pole set up on the spinny. So what is the best way for the crew to gybe this? As I see it my three options are: 1) Gybe the pole before the main the man and jib 2) Gybe the pole AFTER the main and jib 3) Put the pole away, gybe and then reset the pole. After a little research option one seems OK in light winds. Option two is better in stronger winds as you can control the gybing of the main and jib better. Option three, not sure why one would do this. Or is there just one method that would suit the Mirror and be done with that? Any advice would be appreciated. Rich |
Replies:
Posted By: GarethT
Date Posted: 22 May 14 at 9:51am
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On our Mirror we had a single ended pole (crew was only 5 when he started!) so option 3 was the only way and worked fine. The RYA used to have 'Champion Club TV' available on their website, which had boat handling videos for all the junior pathway classes. Not sure if it's till there though.
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Posted By: Medway Maniac
Date Posted: 22 May 14 at 1:33pm
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On all the symmetric classes I've sailed (excludes Mirror with a kite), No. 2 has been the favoured approach when using a double-ended pole. A better method still if you are feeling slick and in control, and not too worried about your foredeck, is to unclip the pole from the mast and leave it dangling by the uphaul/downhaul and guy before gybing the main and jib. Crew then hands the sheets to the helm and sets about reconnecting the pole on the new side. The advantage of this method is that it would make it easier for the crew to keep the kite flying while the helm gybed the main, so that the kite would never collapse (after much practice!) ------------- http://www.wilsoniansc.org.uk" rel="nofollow - Wilsonian SC http://www.3000class.org.uk" rel="nofollow - 3000 Class |
Posted By: about a boat
Date Posted: 02 Jun 14 at 9:49am
| Thanks guys |
Posted By: GybeFunny
Date Posted: 02 Jun 14 at 10:15am
| When I sailed Mirrors in the 90's it was ALWAYS option 2. |
Posted By: getafix
Date Posted: 02 Jun 14 at 1:34pm
same in the 80's  I really think this is a period that improved my sailing, particularly gybing, as both helm and crew, because you really learn the importance of controlling the gybe, coming out (as well as going in) when dead downwind and keeping the main under control, all good skills for your whole sailing life and learnt by crewing and helming a mirror in my early years (8-14yrs)
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Posted By: ohFFsake
Date Posted: 02 Sep 14 at 10:00pm
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Same. The holy grail of gybing a conventional spinnaker is not to collapse it in the process. If the kite stays filled the boat maintains speed which improves control and stability as well as reducing sheet loads. I'd suggest the following drill as a starting point: 1. Agree you are setting up for a gybe. 2. Bear off to a dead run smoothly. Crew and helm move into boat together 3. Crew removes guy from reaching hook / twinning line so both sheets are now controlled from centre of boat. 4. Crew trims spinnaker so both clews are approximately equal, then hands sheets to helm 5. Helm takes both sheets in one hand and steers with the other. 6. Helm should now sight forward under the sails and concentrate on steering dead downwind and level. 7. Helm calls crew to gybe the main when happy whilst helm concentrates on not changing course 8. Once the boom is across crew swaps pole over whilst helm continues to trim both sheets. 9. Crew puts new guy in reaching hook and takes sheet back from helm 10. Both move back out together (crew to windward, helm to leeward) Practice when it's light to get the timing and footwork right. Adapt the details of how you hold the sheets, which side of the mainsheet the helm's arm goes etc until it all works smoothly. When you can do this routinely the trick to doing it in windy conditions is largely about smooth steering and timing - picking the right moment to pop the boom across at the end of a gust or as the boat starts to surf down a wave so there is less load as it comes over; and also anticipating how much "back-steer" to apply to keep the boat dead downwind.
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Posted By: about a boat
Date Posted: 08 Sep 14 at 9:36am
| Thanks |
Posted By: getafix
Date Posted: 10 Sep 14 at 5:57pm
| How did it go? |
Posted By: about a boat
Date Posted: 17 Oct 14 at 3:58pm
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All OK thanks. It works like clock work with the exception of the halyard (continuous). I think this is a little too long at the moment as the line twists and then kinks and stops it from running through the block leading it back into the spinny bag. I am thinking about rigging up some sort of strop or elastic take up to keep the halyard from sloshing around on the floor. But I am unsure where to make it off or it anyone does something different. Any suggestions?
I have tried looking on the Mirror CA website but despite all the information on there, there is very little about boat set up. Thanks |