How to Gybe Single Handedly

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When gybing, typically you are going from 120 deg apparent wind (from your aft quarter) on one side to 120 deg apparent wind on the other side. Due to the nature of angles between apparent and true wind, this equates to about a 90 degree turn overall. So pick a point on land (or a cloud) that is 90 degrees away. This is your target new heading.

If you’re doing a gybe single-handedly, first lock the wheel or set the autopilot so you can leave the helm station.

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Spring-on and Spring-off exercise

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The Animation is the most common way to get your boat off the dock or get in when the wind is not working in your favor. You can also use this if the current is working against you also.

It is especially useful for tight spots – many times you might want to get into the fuel dock and back out again, but there is only a tiny spot. No worries!

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Flares Are Essential Safety Equipment

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In addition to your flare kit, you should have on board a distress signaling kit. It should contain a mirror (which has been consistently proven to attract attention to far away viewers), an eVDSD (electronic Visual Distress Signal Device) which is an LED SOS signaling device discussed above, a whistle, a distress orange flag, and a floating LED flashlight – all stowed in a loudly marked bag for easy grab.

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