Small Boat Jibing and Tacking

	Tacking Jibing Click on the Colored Text Below For Definitions !!! Go To FLASH Presentation - Cable or DSL Modem is Recommended !! To turn the boat away from the wind is to bear away or fall off. To turn the boat into the wind is to head up or harden up. As the sailboat falls off the sails should be eased ( let out ). As the sailboat heads up, the sails need to be trimmed in toward the midline. Turning the boat through the wind is called tacking or jibing. Tacking is a maneuver where the bow of the boat passes through the wind. Jibing is a maneuver where the stern of the boat passes through the wind. Tacking Go To Top A boat tacks ( comes about ) when it changes directions by turning its bow through the wind. The direction of travel changes from one side of the wind to the other, keeping the boat on the same point-of-sail but opposite tack.
	Picture 1: The boat is sailing close hauled. The skipper (sailor in the back of the boat) announces "ready about". The crew member (sailor in the front of the boat) removes the jib's working sheet from the cleat while still holding it and announces "ready".
	Picture 2: The skipper announces "tacking", "coming about" or "hard-a-lee" and pushes the tiller away from the wind and the boat starts to head up and turns into the wind.
	Picture 3: The crewmember prepares to rrelease the old working sheet on the port side and to trim the new working sheet on the starboard side.
	Picture 4: As the boat turns, the mainsail and jib approach midline; and the crew begins to duck under the boom. The crew member releases the jib's old working sheet (port side )
	Picture 5: The mainsail and jib are midline and luffing.
	Picture 6: The skipper and crew are both switching sides, and the crew is starting to trim the new working sheet (starboard side)
	Picture 7: The crew fully trims the jib's new working sheet.
	Picture 8: The boat is now sailing on the opposite tack but on the same point-of-sail.
	Jibing Go To Top A Jibe is a maneuver where the boat changes direction by turning its stern through the wind. The direction of travel changes from one side of the wind to the other, keeping the boat on the same point-of-sail but the opposite tack.
	Picture 1: The boat sails on a broad reach. The skipper (sailor in the back of the boat) announces "Prepare to Jibe". The crew ( sailor in the front of the boat ) places the jib's lazy sheet on the leeward cleat and prepares to release the working sheet to prepare for the jibe. He then says "ready".
	Picture 2: The skipper moves the tiller toward the wind; and the boat starts to bear away, or turn away from the wind. The jib starts to collapse and the boat begins to sail on a run.
	Picture 3: The jib collapses as the boat is turned further away from the wind.
	Picture 4: The crew starts to trim the jib. The boat is now on a run and sailing wing and wing.
	Picture 5: The skipper says “Jibing!” or “Jibe-ho!” to warn all crew to prepare to duck and shift their weight. The crew moves to the opposite side of the boat to provide stability. The skipper tugs the main sheet to start the mainsail changing sides. In strong winds, it is important to not ‘center the main', as the force when the mainsail fills on the new side could capsize the boat or cause a very sharp ‘round up’. As the mainsail changes sides, so does the skipper. In heavy winds, the mainsail may need to be pulled towards the center to about 45 degrees prior to the jibe. This prevents damage to the rigging, if the boom were to hit the shrouds as it forcefully swings to the other side. (Note: In lighter air the mainsail should be centered, similar to a larger keelboat. Go To Turning A Keelboat.)
	Picture 6: The boom then swings to the opposite side of the boat with some rapidity. One can easily be injured or knocked out of the boat if hit by the mainsail or boom. The main sheet should run freely so that the boat does not round up or capsize. It is important, however, to make sure that the main does not go out too far (past 90 degrees) and damage the shrouds or gooseneck.
	Picture 7: The crew member trims the jib.
	Picture 8: The boat is now sailing on the opposite tack but on the same point-of-sail.

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