always be eased as far as possible, so that the luff is just on the point of
curling.
Gybing with the gennaker is fairly straightforward. Like the jib, it should be
pulled across at the same time as the mainsail comes across. As soon as it
has been pulled in and filled with wind, it should again be immediately
eased for maximum efficiency and speed. If sailing singlehanded, the
mainsail should be cleated, and the helm should hold the gennaker sheet at
all times.
To drop the gennaker, reverse the procedure used to hoist. The boat should
be sailing on a broad reach, and the slack in the gennaker downhaul is pulled
in from the left hand halyard block (see picture 4.2). As the gennaker
downhaul goes tight, the gennaker halyard should be popped out of the cleat.
Then, pull the remainder of the gennaker downhaul through until the gennaker
is pulled sharply into the chute. Dropping the gennaker on tighter reaches is
harder, and requires more effort on the gennaker downhaul. If possible, this
should be avoided when sailing singlehanded.
Picture 4.2 Dropping the Gennaker
HINT
The gennaker can “bunch up” when entering the chute. This can be minimised by
keeping some tension on the gennaker sheet, preventing the clew from being sucked
into the chute with the main body of the gennaker.
TOP TIP
Tie a rope bobble onto the gennaker halyard, about 10 cm from the bowline that is
attached to the head of the gennaker. This will make dropping the gennaker easier.
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