Download Boating Tip #35: Coming About & Jibing (PDF format, 28KB)

Coming About

Coming about, or tacking up into the wind, means to change course by moving the bow of the boat through the wind, to the same position on the opposite tack. To come about:

• Check your course and speed, and look around for traffic. Make sure your path is clear.
• Bring the boat into a close hauled position.
• Pick a new course approximately 100° from your present course. If possible, point to an object on shore which is off your beam, to give you something to aim for.
• Announce “Prepare to come about”.
• Bring in the main sheet. Wind the lazy jib sheet around the winch.
• Announce “Hard a–lee”, and turn the wheel toward the wind (or push the tiller into the lee of the wind).
• When the boom crosses over, unwind the working jib sheet and pull in the lazy sheet, which will now become the new working sheet.
• Turn 100° to a close reach, then head up into a close hauled position.
• Adjust your course and heading. Trim the sails.

Jibing

Jibing, or gybing, is the opposite of coming about. An intentional jibe is used when sailing with the wind aft. Instead of coming about through the wind, you change course by moving the stern of the boat through the wind, to the same position on the opposite tack. To jibe:

• Bring the boat into broad reach within 10° of a dead downwind run.
• Announce “Ready to jibe”.
• Sheet in the mainsail.
• Wind the lazy jib sheet around winch.
• Announce Jibe ho”, and turn the wheel away from the wind (or push the tiller to windward).
• When the boom crosses over, unwind the working jib sheet and pull in the lazy sheet, which will now become the new working sheet.
• Adjust the sheets as the sails snap to the new position.