How to Tack and Gybe: Steps and Commands

Tacking turns the boat's bow through the wind, from close-hauled on one side to close-hauled on the other. Gybing turns the stern through the wind when sailing downwind, and the boom swings across. Both follow the same pattern: the helm warns the crew ("Ready about?" or "Stand by to gybe"), the crew confirm, the helm calls the turn ("Lee-oh!" or "Gybe-oh!"), and the crew release the old sheet and trim the new one.

A small sloop sailing close-hauled with its mainsail and jib sheeted in — Close-hauled before a tack: sails in tight, heeling slightly. Photo: Ahunt, CC0.

Tacking vs gybing: what's the difference?

Tacking and gybing compared.
	Tack	Gybe
What passes through the wind	The bow	The stern
Usual point of sail	Upwind (close-hauled)	Downwind (broad reach or run)
Speed of the boom	Slow, sails flap through	Fast and powerful
Risk	Low: you may stall head to wind	Higher: a crash gybe can injure or damage
Warning call	"Ready about?"	"Stand by to gybe"
Action call	"Lee-oh!"	"Gybe-oh!"

How to tack, step by step

A tack takes the bow through the wind. Sails flap as the boat passes head to wind.

Check it's clear: look all round, especially to windward where you will be heading.
Helm calls "Ready about?" Crew get ready: the working jib sheet is on the winch but ready to let go, the new sheet has a couple of turns on the other winch.
Crew answer "Ready."
Helm calls "Lee-oh!" and turns steadily towards the wind. On a tiller, push the tiller away from you (towards the sail).
As the jib starts to back (fill from the wrong side), the crew release the old sheet.
The bow passes through the wind. Crew pull in the new jib sheet quickly before the sail fills, then winch it in.
Helm settles on the new close-hauled course, about 90° from the old one, and the mainsail trims itself across on its traveller.

If you get stuck in irons

If the boat stops head to wind, hold the jib out on the side you want the bow to go away from (backing it), and put the tiller towards the jib side. The boat will drift backwards and the bow will fall off. Then sheet in normally.

Getting out of irons in three steps: stuck head to wind with sails flapping, jib held out to port with the tiller to port while the boat drifts astern, then the bow falls off and the sails are sheeted in — Back the jib and put the tiller the same way: going astern, the rudder works in reverse.

How to gybe, step by step

Gybing diagram in three steps: bear away to a run with the main sheeted to the centre, stern passes through the wind as the boom crosses, then ease the main on the new side — In a gybe the stern goes through the wind and the boom crosses fast, so control it.

Check it's clear and that nobody's head is in the boom's path.
Helm calls "Stand by to gybe." Bear away to a dead run.
Crew sheet the mainsail in towards the centreline. This shortens the boom's swing.
Crew answer "Ready."
Helm calls "Gybe-oh!" and turns gently so the stern passes through the wind.
As the boom crosses, ease the mainsheet out quickly on the new side to absorb the load, and swap the jib (or spinnaker) sheets.
Helm steadies on the new course. Don't over-turn into a broach.

How to gybe safely in strong wind

Always sheet the main in first. A boom swinging from fully out to fully out is a crash gybe.
Rig a preventer when running for long periods: a line from the end of the boom forward to the bow and back to the cockpit, so an accidental gybe can't swing the boom.
In a strong wind, consider a chicken gybe: tack round instead (turning 270° the other way). It's slower but safe.
Keep heads low and hands clear of the mainsheet tackle.

A gybe preventer rigged on a yacht running downwind: a line from the end of the boom forward to a block at the bow and back to the cockpit — A preventer holds the boom out on a run. Lead it back to the cockpit so you can release it without going forward.

Gybing with a spinnaker or gennaker

Downwind sails make gybing busier. With an asymmetric spinnaker or gennaker, let the old sheet go as the stern passes through the wind and pull the new sheet in, so the sail blows round in front of the forestay (an outside gybe) or between the luff and forestay (an inside gybe). With a symmetric spinnaker and pole, small boats swap the pole end-for-end while larger yachts dip the pole under the forestay. Practise in light winds first, and keep the mainsail controlled the same way as in a normal gybe.

Crew sailing a yacht downwind under a red, yellow and white spinnaker — Running under spinnaker. Every gybe needs the whole crew to know their job. Photo: Rübenkopf, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Tacking a dinghy vs a yacht

What changes between a dinghy and a cruising yacht.
	Dinghy	Yacht
Crew movement	Helm and crew cross the boat, facing forward	Crew stay seated and work winches
Tiller	Swap hands behind your back with the extension	Wheel or tiller stays on one side
Sheets	Pulled by hand, cleated in cam cleats	Wrapped on winches, tailed or self-tailing
Speed of turn	Fast; roll tacks add speed	Slower and steadier; the genoa takes time to cross
Biggest risk	Capsize if crew are slow to move	Getting fingers caught in winches; the boom

Common mistakes when tacking and gybing

Turning too fast or too slow. Aim to take three to five seconds through the wind on a yacht.
Releasing the jib too early. Wait until it starts to back, or the bow loses its push through the wind.
Over-sheeting straight after a tack. Let the boat build speed with the jib slightly eased, then trim in.
Forgetting the runner or backstay on boats that have them.
Gybing with the main fully out. Always centre it first.
Over-turning after a gybe. The boat wants to round up; meet it with the helm.

Practice drills

Sail a figure-of-eight round two buoys, tacking at one and gybing at the other.
Tack on every whistle blast for ten minutes. Count how many seconds the boat is below full speed.
Swap roles so everyone helms, trims the jib and handles the mainsheet.
Practise a chicken gybe (tacking round instead) so it's automatic on a windy day.

Watch your wind angle with the no-go zone diagram and practise the sail settings in the sail trim tool.

Related guides

Frequently asked questions

What do you shout when tacking?

The helm calls "Ready about?", the crew answer "Ready", then the helm calls "Lee-oh!" as the turn begins. For a gybe, it is "Stand by to gybe", "Ready", then "Gybe-oh!".

Is gybing more dangerous than tacking?

Yes. In a gybe the wind is behind the sail and the boom swings across quickly with full force. Sheet the main in before you gybe, and use a preventer when running.

What is a crash gybe?

An accidental or uncontrolled gybe, usually when running with the main fully out. The boom slams across and can injure crew or damage the rig.

Is it gybe or jibe?

Both spellings mean the same manoeuvre. Gybe is usual in the UK and in RYA courses; jibe is common in the USA.

How do you get out of irons?

Back the jib by holding it out on one side, and put the tiller to the same side. The boat drifts backwards and the bow falls off; then sheet in on the new side.

What is a gybe preventer?

A line from the end of the boom forward to the bow and back to the cockpit, which holds the boom out on a run so an accidental gybe can't swing it across.

How long should a tack take?

On a cruising yacht, about three to five seconds through the wind. Too slow and the boat stalls; too fast and the rudder acts as a brake.

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