Advertisement

Sambuca

  • Updated: March 30, 2010

Sambuca gallery thumbnail

1 Sneak the head of the kite as you normally would for the conditions, either before rounding the windward mark or on the offset leg, then start the hoist as the boat bears away. The jib trimmer can ease the jib sheet a bit, but it must stay cleated on the port side during the jibe. Richard Langdon/ocean Images

2 During the bear away, the helmsman looks for the clew of the kite to appear around the headstay before the jibe.

2 During the bear away, the helmsman looks for the clew of the kite to appear around the headstay before the jibe. Richard Langdon/ocean Images

3 As the boom is coming across, this is the critical moment when the port spinnaker sheet must be free to run. The offside trimmer can push the rope out and be certain it¿s loose.

3 As the boom is coming across, this is the critical moment when the port spinnaker sheet must be free to run. The offside trimmer can push the rope out and be certain it¿s loose. Richard Langdon/ocean Images

4-5 The turn should be slow and steady. This last element is the most important. The rate of turn and the timing of the jibe are critical to a good Sambuca. The trimmers can be a bit off on their timing, but the kite must be appearing around the sta

4-5 The turn should be slow and steady. This last element is the most important. The rate of turn and the timing of the jibe are critical to a good Sambuca. The trimmers can be a bit off on their timing, but the kite must be appearing around the starboard side of the headstay before the boat jibes, otherwise it could backwind on the new windward side after the turn and potentially blow through the forestay triangle.The jib will be dropped immediately after the jibe, and with the sheet still tight it should fall right on center of the deck. If the jib is eased out significantly on the offset leg, it may need to be trimmed back in enough so the battens don¿t catch and tear the spinnaker as it is hoisted and dragged around to the other side of the boat. Richard Langdon/ocean Images

4-5 The turn should be slow and steady. This last element is the most important. The rate of turn and the timing of the jibe are critical to a good Sambuca. The trimmers can be a bit off on their timing, but the kite must be appearing around the sta

4-5 The turn should be slow and steady. This last element is the most important. The rate of turn and the timing of the jibe are critical to a good Sambuca. The trimmers can be a bit off on their timing, but the kite must be appearing around the starboard side of the headstay before the boat jibes, otherwise it could backwind on the new windward side after the turn and potentially blow through the forestay triangle.The jib will be dropped immediately after the jibe, and with the sheet still tight it should fall right on center of the deck. If the jib is eased out significantly on the offset leg, it may need to be trimmed back in enough so the battens don¿t catch and tear the spinnaker as it is hoisted and dragged around to the other side of the boat. Richard Langdon/ocean Images

The Sambuca¿s point man The bowman¿s actions are critical in this manuever. Once the call is made for the Sambuca his job is to get the spinnaker set up to get around the headstay. After pulling as much of the foot forward and around (1) he makes

The Sambuca¿s point man The bowman¿s actions are critical in this manuever. Once the call is made for the Sambuca his job is to get the spinnaker set up to get around the headstay. After pulling as much of the foot forward and around (1) he makes sure there¿s plenty of slack in the leeward spinnaker sheet (2) so there¿s less resistence as the kite gets pulled forward and around the rig. Then he pulls the head as far forward as possible for the hoist (3). Once the turn starts and the hoist speeds up, the spinnaker should be just starting to fill (4). Richard Langdon/ocean Images
Advertisement
Advertisement

Read More

SUBSCRIPTIONS
ABOUT US
FOLLOW US
FIRECROWN BRANDS
Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. Sailing World may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. Copyright © 2025 Sailing World Firecrown. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.