15 – Downwind 119

Section 15

Sailing Downwind

Jibe. To change from one to another by turning the Reach. A point of between close-hauled and a run. stern through the wind. Also, a distance, or fetch.

Preventer. A line run forward from the aft end of the Running. Point of sailing with the wind astern. to a deck fitting to prevent accidental .

1 Broad reaching and running before the wind can be very are less likely to block vision to leeward. It’s easier to enjoyable. Compared to sailing upwind, the wind feels watch for other boats. The wind and sea conditions ap- softer. Running may provide the opportunity for a free pear relatively calm. Conditions are often so peaceful ride down an overtaking wave. This section discusses that concentration is required to sail well. beam reaching, broad reaching, running, and jibing. The points of sail are depicted in Figure 14–8. 5 Bearing off from a beam reach, the are eased still further to keep the telltales streaming. The main is Beam Reaching again eased until it luffs and then retrimmed slightly. The 2 Beam reaching is sailing with the apparent wind abeam tension may need increasing. The outhaul and is the fastest . The jib is eased until the and luff tension may need to be eased and centerboard telltales stream; the main is eased until it luffs and then raised further. retrimmed slightly. The boom vang is tensioned to limit

leech twist. The outhaul and luff tensions are eased. 6 In strong wind when a gust hits, the boat will tend to heel and round up into the wind. This can often be prevented 3 On a beam reach, the apparent wind is stronger than on by bearing off, i.e., turning a bit more downwind, just as broader points of sail and more of the total force drives the gust arrives. By bearing off, the apparent wind direc- the boat than on closer points of sail. Leeway is also tion is prevented from moving forward during the puff. reduced compared to upwind points of sail. The cen- More of the force drives the boat; the heeling component terboard can be pulled part way up and drag reduced. of the total force is reduced. The may be hoisted. Under some conditions, lightweight boats may be able to plane. In heavy and Running gusty wind conditions, the may have to be eased 7 Running is sailing with the wind astern. With no spin- and allowed to luff to limit heel and . naker, running is the slowest point of sail. Bearing off from a reach to a run, the centerboard can be fully raised Broad Reaching and the jib can be winged out on the side opposite the 4 Broad reaching is sailing with the wind abaft the beam main (wing-and-wing), Figure 15–1 . but not directly astern. On a broad reach, boat speed is a

little less than on a beam reach except in condi- 8 Because of the possibility of wind shifts and momen- tions when heel angle may limit control with the wind tary inattention to the helm, there is always a risk of an abeam. Broad reaching is a more relaxed point of sail. accidental when sailing on a run. It is prudent to The boat doesn’t heel as much. The centerboard can be avoid a dead run in routine sailing and, instead, to sail raised most of the way. The spinnaker can be set and the with the wind no further aft than the windward quarter. jib dropped or roller furled. With less heeling, the sails Sailing with the wind over the same side of the boat as

Sail 120 15 – Sailing Downwind

a masthead rig or full length battens, be alert to the pos- sibility of breaking a batten on a shroud. Easing the main fully presents maximum sail area to the wind. When the boat is to be sailed with the main boom eased way out for an extended period, rig a , a line from a point outboard on the boom to a point well forward on the deck or rail (Figure 15‑2). This is done to prevent an accidental jibe. When using a boom vang or preventer in heavy wind and sea, take great care lest the end of the boom be immersed and caught by a wave. The helmsman could lose control and the boat could be dismasted. The same warning applies to a .

12 Winging out the jib on the side opposite the mainsail increases boat speed and improves balance. With the jib on the same side as the mainsail, the jib will be blanketed by the wind shadow of the mainsail. Wing out the jib on the opposite side of the boat from the mainsail. Use a whisker pole or spinnaker pole to hold the jib out, Figure 15‑1.

13 The center of effort of the wind on the mainsail is out over the water on the leeward side of the boat. Sailing wing-and-wing, the jib’s center of effort is over the water on the windward side of the boat. The forces on the jib somewhat offset the forces on the mainsail that are creating a weather helm. If the boat is sailed under Figure 15–1 Wing and Wing mainsail alone downwind, it will have a strong weather helm. If the tiller is released, the boat will head up into the sails is called sailing by the lee and is an invitation the wind. With the jib winged out, both boat speed and to an accidental jibe. Avoid sailing by the lee. balance are improved. However, a careful course must be steered to keep the apparent wind directly over the stern 9 In light winds, boat speed and comfort can be increased in order to keep the jib full and to avoid an unexpected significantly by turning a few degrees off a dead run to jibe. a broad reach. If progress directly downwind is required, sail on a broad reach on one tack for an interval, then Jibing jibe and sail back across the dead downwind line on 14 A jibe is turning the boat so that the stern goes through the other tack, etc. This zigzag course is called the eye of the wind. During a jibe, the boom swings downwind and is often the way to make the best time across the centerline of the boat. A jibe is useful in turn- directly to leeward. ing most directly from a broad reach or run on one tack to a broad reach or run on the other tack. A controlled 10 Because the boat is moving with the wind and the sea, jibe is a graceful maneuver. An accidental, uncontrolled little apparent wind is felt and the sea may appear decep- jibe is dangerous and should be avoided. To jibe with tively calm. If the wind increases while running, you may just a mainsail and jib, release the preventer if one is not notice it until the course is altered to windward. set. Then, trim the mainsail toward the centerline as the boat is turned from a broad reach to a dead run. Take up 11 When running, mainsail and jib shape have little ef- the slack in the windward jib sheet so that it is ready to fect on boat speed. For best speed, fully ease the main. trim the jib upon jibing. When the wind is directly over Recheck the boom vang tension and mainsail twist. Do the stern, the boom should be on the centerline of the not let the boom wear against the leeward shroud. With boat, Figure 15‑3. Continuing the turn toward the other

Sail

15 – Sailing Downwind 121

uncontrolled jibe. Control the mainsail at all times during a jibe.

Summary 17 Beam reaching is sailing with the apparent wind abeam and is the fastest point of sail. Broad reaching is sailing with the wind abaft the beam but not directly astern. On a broad reach, boat speed is less than on a beam reach. Run- ning is sailing with the wind astern. With no spinnaker, running is the slowest point of sail. Because the boat is moving with the wind and the sea, little apparent wind is felt and the sea may appear deceptively calm. If the wind increases while running, you may not notice it until the course is altered. Because of the possibility of an accidental jibe, avoid sailing on a dead run. Sail with the wind no further aft than the windward quarter. Avoid sailing by the lee. Winging out the jib increases boat speed and improves balance. A jibe is turning the boat so that the stern goes through the eye of the wind. A controlled Figure 15–2 Running Before the Wind, Jib Winged Out jibe is a graceful maneuver—an uncontrolled jibe is tack, ease the main out on the opposite side of the boat. not. As the boat’s stern passes through the eye of the Wind wind, the jib sheet that has been in use is eased and the new leeward sheet is trimmed. Broad Reach 15 In any jibe, the skipper must alert the crew to the impending action. The traditional commands used by skippers are: “Ready About” and then Pull main in toward after hearing “Ready” from each crew member, centerline of boat upon execution, “Jibe ho.” Each crew member to minimize its travel. must be well clear of the path of the boom. When Head more downwind. running, crew members must always be ready to duck to avoid being struck by the boom because Jibe of an accidental jibe. Continue turning until 16 During an uncontrolled jibe, as the stern of the boat constrained main flops over. passes through the eye of the wind and continues Pull jib over to other side. to turn, the wind gets behind the mainsail, which is still eased out on the other side of the boat. Sud- denly, the sail and boom slam across the centerline Broad Reach of the boat to the other side, endangering everyone Ease main out and and everything in its path. For the safety of the come to new heading. crew and the preservation of equipment, avoid an Adjust sail trim. Figure 15–3 Executing the Jibe

Sail 122 15 – Sailing Downwind

Sail 15 – Sailing Downwind 123

Homework: Section 15: Sailing Downwind Name ______

1. Running is: a) the fastest point of sail. b) sailing with the wind astern. c) sailing opposite to wave direction. d) fleeing at maximum speed from a storm.

2. When running: a) the apparent wind feels very strong. b) the main and jib are extremely effective. c) the sea appears to be deceptively rough. d) with no spinnaker, this is the slowest point of sail.

3. When sailing downwind the: a) vang is ineffective. b) mainsheet is eased. c) jib should be sheeted tight. d) preventer is not normally used.

4. The whisker pole is used to: a) wing out the jib. b) extend the tiller. c) support the headstay. d) support the spinnaker pole.

5. Setting sails wing-and-wing while running: a) helps balance the boat. b) results in blanketing the jib. c) sometimes results in . d) causes excessive weather helm.

6. A jibe is: a) sailing under the jib only. b) always a graceful maneuver. c) a maneuver to be avoided at all costs. d) turning the boat so that the stern goes through the eye of the wind.

7. To jibe properly: a) the jib must be taken down. b) there is no need to trim the mainsail. c) the mainsail is controlled at all times. d) the jib can be left up, but the spinnaker must be taken down.

8. An uncontrolled jibe: a) will rarely occur. b) will not do any harm. c) is a useful tacking strategy. d) may occur when running downwind.

Sail 124 15 – Sailing Downwind

9. A line run from the boom to the rail to prevent an accidental jibe of the mainsail is called a: a) stopper. b) pendant. c) jack line. d) preventer.

Sail