A Chinese gybe on a sailing vessel is a type of gybe where the upper section of the main sail moves cross the boat, filling from the opposite side, whilst the lower section and boom remain on the original side of the boat. [1]
A Chinese gybe is usually induced by too little tension on the vang or kicking strap, allowing the boom to rise up and the leech of the sail to twist excessively.[2]
The term can be used in a different sense, in which a Chinese gybe is a gybe caused when a boat rolls excessively to windward (usually when running downwind), causing an unexpected and/or uncontrolled change in course (specifically bearing off dangerously). This sense of the term is similar to death roll.[3]
References
- ^ "What is a Chinese gybe and how do you avoid it". Archived 2015-10-02 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2015-10-01.
- ^ "Chinese Gybes – and how to avoid them". Sail Better!. Archived 2015-10-01 at the Wayback Machine.
- ^ "Video of a Chinese gybe on Kosatka (Team Russia) during the Volvo Ocean Race 2008-2009". Archived 2016-05-06 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2016-11-29.