backwinding ?

We were all beginners once, what is backwinding the jib ? also sheeting the main ? I have seen these terms used when tacking. In the 2 times I have sailed, when we tacked, we turned the boat, when the boom swung, we swapped sides & went on. Not always that simple is it ? thanks.

Sheeting the main or any other sail is short for pull in the main sheet. The main sheet is the line that pulls in the main sail. Sheet out is to ease the line or let it out.

Backwinding the jib is to leave the jib sheeted in once the boat has crossed head to wind during a tack. This allows the bow to be pushed around by the sail rather than steering with the rudder. This is done most frequently on the Hobie 16 because the flat outside of the hull makes pushing it through the water on a tack difficult. The inefficiency causes the boat to slow and may require the sail to be back winded to complete the tack.

Here is a quick guide for tacking:

1) Fall off the wind (turn away from it) slightly to gain more speed, i.e. momentum

2) Sheet in the main as you head up (turn towards the wind) to tack.

3) As the boat turns through the wind, move to the new windward side (the side of the boat the wind hits first)

4) Leave the jib where it is for now (backwinding)

5) Wait for the battens in the main sail to "pop". This means the main has cought the wind on the new tack.

If you are solo
6a) sheet out the main a few inches to trim the sails for the new tack

7a) Bring the jib across to the new tack and trim fo rcourse and speed.

If you have crew
6b) Simultaneoulsy have yoru crew bring the jib across while you sheet out the main a few inches.

As I said, this is a general guidline to the process. Just go out and practice it and you will learn it in no time.

Remember things like not using too much rudder, anything over 45 deg of deflection is doing more braking than turning. Cats already have a hard enough time keeping thier speed up during a tack.

You will eventually learn how and when is best to shift weight during the tack.

_________________
Nick

Current Boat
In the market
Previous boats owned
'74 Pearson 30
'84 H16
'82 H18 Magnum
St. Louis, MO

OK, thanks for info, sheeting is tightening up the sail, backwinding is leaving the sail loose or leaving it tight after changing course ?

Backwinding is leaving the jib tight (cleated) while you change course. Uncleat the jib sheet after the bows have passed through the eye of the wind. It takes practice, but you'll be an expert in no time.