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In this second of a new series on double-handed sailing techniques, Pip explains the skill of inside gybing a spinnaker
Double-handed sailing is gaining in popularity across many disciplines – we now regularly see crews of two managing all sizes of boat, and sailing them with the same efficiency and expectations as full crews.
Here I’m sharing how I approach key manoeuvres with a crew of two, how to minimise risk, prepare for success and advance your techniques.
Gybing a spinnaker double-handed is tough. The boat is sailing fast, timing is critical and there are high loads involved. In this masterclass we look at a technique for safely inside gybing an asymmetric spinnaker which will work in any breeze on all sizes of boat.
Inside gybing is where the clew of the spinnaker passes between the luff of the sail and the forestay and it’s a method that will work for boats with all but a very short bowsprit. I use this technique myself when solo gybing my 60ft IMOCA Medallia.
One of the great risks
