Re: Sailslugs and SF Bay-Ready riggingRe: Here Goes!

Bill Combs (ttursine@gnt.net)
Sat, 27 Feb 1999 22:26:01 -0500


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West Wight Potter Website at URL
http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
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> Bill,
>
> I resisted for awhile, but I have to ask. What is a "chinese gybe"?
> Enquiring minds want to know? No one else had nerve to ask?
>
> Ted Duke
> WWPs19 #626
> Mountains of Virginia

According to the web page
http://terra.org/sailing/glossary/glossary.html#az
an "accidental jibe" [gybe = ornate for jibe or gibe] is defined:

An accidental jibe happens when the boat is steered or the wind shifts
such that the stern of the boat accidentally passes through the eye of
the wind. This causes that main boom to swing violently to the other
side of the boat. Without proper preparation when jibing, the force of
the boom's motion can be destructive, injuring the crew and damaging
equipment. In strong winds and on large boats this force can dismast
the boat and seriously injure crew members hit by the boom. Sometimes
a preventer is used to reduce the possibility of an accidental jibe.

As I understand it (and certainly as I use it), continuing that
disaster until the vessel broaches and tries to roll constitutes a
Chinese version. Derivation strictly unknown.

So, pedants [:-)}, how'd I do? I stand up to corrections gracefully.

Regards,
Bill Combs
WWP 19 #439 (Aug 1987)
"Ursa Minor"
Fort Walton Beach FL
ttursine@gnt.net