Welcome to Firefly Blog

September 30, 2025

Jibing

I have started this blog to share useful information about handling sailboats based on my 60+ years of racing and cruising a wide variety of craft in many different locales and conditions. My goal is to provide helpful insights here, while piquing your interest to pursue further instruction with me or other qualified instructors.


Today’s topic is jibing, or gybing if you are of British persuasion.


My perspective on jibing was formed as a young child in a racing-oriented sailing program. We mastered jibing skills early on to sail competitively downwind on a racecourse. Unfortunately, too many non-racing sailing instructors, and even some instruction manuals, treat jibing as a dangerous maneuver to be avoided at all costs. This bias can undermine confidence in your sailing skills and put you in a dangerous situation that otherwise would be routine. I suppose fear of jibing comes from the accidental “flying jibe” phobia passed down by generations of sailors lacking proper instruction in basic boat handling. 


To be sure, a “flying jibe” (especially in heavy air) is not desirable, but competent instruction and practice can help you avoid that mishap. Knowing how to jibe effectively enhances your sailing skills and gives you safer options to avoid other boats, obstructions, or running aground.


I welcome constructive comments and informed differences of opinion.


I hope to see you on the water.


Captain Dan

Running Rigging

November 4, 2025
Some cruising sailors don’t take advantage of all the tools available to them to sail their boats most effectively. Two of these tools are the traveller and the boom vang. To get your boat to point well (sail closest to the wind) generally you want your boom on the center line of your boat. This usually requires bringing the traveller to windward. If you feel overpowered as the wind increases, drop the traveller down until you feel under control. The difference of 5 to 10 degrees of pointing ability on a long course can shave hours off your ETA. This is true for your mizzen as well if you are sailing a yawl or ketch. Likewise, the boom vang is often an underutilized tool going downwind. Without some boom vang tension, especially in a stronger breeze, the end of your boom tends to pivot upwards, reducing sail efficiency and increases a side by side (yawing) effect. Without boom vang tension, it is also more difficult to perform a smooth and controlled jibe. In light air with leftover swells, some boom vang tension helps eliminate that annoying sound of your mainsheet snapping on the roll. Just remember to ease your boom vang before trying to lower your main halyard. Get to know the purpose of all of your running rigging, and if you need help, give me a shout.

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