END-FOR-END GYBES
USING LAZY SHEETS AND GUYS

Sorted by job (or crew member)
Kame Richards / Pineapple Sails

This is a re-ordering of the outline on End for End Gybes where the tasks are sorted by job rather than by time (which things happen first, then second, etc.) The intention is that the appropriate section of this list can be handed to each crew member. They can see all their tasks listed together, and gain an understanding of what will be happening next.

To see the same information listed chronologically, click here.

DRIVER

A. "SET-UP"
This call comes from the driver. Call "set up for the gybe" loud enough for everyone to hear. Get an idea on what the heading is going to be on the new gybe. Watch how quickly the crew is getting ready. Are they covering all bases?
B. "SQUARE BACK"
This call comes from the driver. Start the boat bearing off, usually before you ask for the square back, but after you are convinced the important bases are covered. Watch the spinnaker and the mast head windex, and the angle of heel. Keep the cockpit crew appraised of how the bear-off is going, like slowly, or move faster!
C. "TRIP"
This call comes from the driver. The first time the boat heels to weather, call "TRIP!" loud enough for all the crew to hear. Keep the boat turning continuously through the gybe. DO NOT try to sail dead down wind while the gybe is completed.

[NOTE: If the pole is tripped before the boat heels to weather, the load on the afterguy will aggressively shove the pole to leeward, in this case towards the left hand side of the boat. When this happens, the whole spinnaker is moving to the left, which will tend to make the boat want to turn aggressively to the right, which is not the direction we need to turn to complete the gybe… Tripping late is better than tripping early.]
D. "MADE"
This call comes from the mast / foredeck person. Swing the boat onto the new gybe, and hold a steady course. Pay ultimate attention to the apparent wind angle, and the direction the spinnaker wants to move towards. There are big gainers for not collapsing the sail! At this stage it is mostly up to you.
E. DONE
It is not clear when the gybe is all done! Line the boat up on the new course. Watch the sail and the apparent wind angle...don't gybe back! Nobody is ready! Keep talking to the spinnaker trimmers so they know what you are going to do next.

 

MAST / FOREDECK

A. "SET-UP"
This call comes from the driver. Move spinnaker pole car to a height you can comfortably reach
B. "SQUARE BACK"
This call comes from the driver. Wait, but have the lazy after guy (port side in this case) in your hand.
C. "TRIP"
This call comes from the driver. Trip/open the inboard end of the pole and remove the pole from the mast. Place the lazy guy into this end of the pole and push the pole towards the new side of the boat, to port in this case. The pole needs to go outboard and rotate forwards, towards the tack of the spinnaker. It should go out easily because there should be no tension in the lazy guy.
D. "MADE"
This call comes from the mast / foredeck person. Now remove the pole from the old/starboard side after guy, and attach this end of the pole onto the mast. Do not call made until the pole is securely on the mast.
E. DONE
It is not clear when the gybe is all done! Move the inboard end of the spinnaker pole car back to its normal sailing position.

 

FOREGUY

A. “SETUP”
Get somebody on the foreguy (it will need easing).
B. "SQUARE BACK"
This call comes from the driver. Ease the foreguy as the pole moves aft.
C. "TRIP"
This call comes from the driver. The foreguy will remain useless until the pole is back on the mast and the new afterguy in under tension.
D. "MADE"
This call comes from the mast / foredeck person. Waiting…
E. DONE
It is not clear when the gybe is all done! Firm up the foreguy when the pole is in it's proper position.

 

A. "SET-UP"
This call comes from the driver.

AFTERGUY Prepare the afterguy to be squared back (needs a handle).
LAZY SHEET Get the lazy sheet around a winch and pull out all the slack in the line. If you are using spinnaker “twings” on the sheets, pull them on tight.
B. "SQUARE BACK"
This call comes from the driver.

AFTERGUY Grind aft the afterguy, being careful not to collapse the spinnaker.
LAZY SHEET It will have to take care of itself for now
C. "TRIP"
This call comes from the driver.

AFTERGUY As soon as the "TRIP" call is made, and the pole has come off the mast, you are done with this line. Keep tension in it with one hand while you transfer the load to the new sheet with your other hand. Leave the after guy uncleated.
LAZY SHEET / ACTIVE SHEET As soon as the "TRIP" call is made, this has become the active sheet. Transfer the winch handle into this winch.
D. "MADE"
This call comes from the mast / foredeck person.

OLD AFTERGUY This line has no function and needs no attention. When the new sheet is under control, remove the wraps of the now lazy guy from around its winch so it won't affect your trimming of the sheet.
NEW SHEET Keep the spinnaker full. If the square back went well this should be a one person job for a while. If you need help call for a grinder.
E. DONE
It is not clear when the gybe is all done!

NEW SHEET Back in the saddle again...if the sheet doesn't need to be trimmed in, try easing it until the spinnaker luffs. Be sure you have a grinder.
OLD AFTERGUY It is all done, just keep it from dragging in the water.

PORT LINES

A. "SET-UP"
This call comes from the driver.

LAZY GUY Loosen the wraps from the winch so the bow person can pull out the necessary slack.
SHEET Get ready to ease during the "square-back." If you are using spinnaker “twings,” pull them on tight.
B. "SQUARE BACK"
This call comes from the driver.

LAZY GUY It will have to take care of itself for now. This is a good time to move the winch handle into the afterguy winch.
SHEET Ease the sheet as the boat bears off, being careful not to collapse the spinnaker.
C. "TRIP"
This call comes from the driver.

LAZY GUY Keep waiting!
SHEET Fly the spinnaker, but don't ease the clew past the headstay
D. "MADE"
This call comes from the mast / foredeck person.

NEW AFTERGUY No more waiting now!. As soon as the "made" call comes through, grind the pole aft FAST!. Watch the outboard end of the pole to see that the afterguy is (1) clear on the outboard end, and (2) the tack of the sail is at the pole jaw.
OLD SHEET Cleat off the old sheet to prevent the clew of the sail from getting past the headstay. It is all done for this gybe.
E. DONE
It is not clear when the gybe is all done!

NEW AFTERGUY Trim the afterguy to the current apparent wind angle. Help get the spinnaker pole set to the right height.
OLD SHEET Wind the lazy sheet around the after guy to prevent the sheet from dragging in the water.

A. "SET-UP"
This call comes from the driver. Cleat the traveler on both sides to prevent the traveler car from banging into the end of the track. Get ready to ease the main sheet during the “SQUARE-BACK.”.
B. "SQUARE BACK"
This call comes from the driver. Ease the mainsheet as the boat bears off.
C. "TRIP"
This call comes from the driver. Gybe the mainsail at (or soon after) the "trip" call.
D. "MADE"
This call comes from the mast / foredeck person. As long as the mainsail has gone across, look around for someone who needs help...most likely the new spinnaker sheet trimmer, who may need a grinder.
E. DONE
It is not clear when the gybe is all done! Trim for the new apparent wind angle.