[mdougan]

Jeff''s description pretty accurately describes how I gybe my cutter rigged (ok Jeff, it''s probably not technically a cutter rig - grin) gaff Westsail 32. Normally, I don''t feel the need to hobble any of the foresails, unless there are high winds... then, simply sheeting the staysail to the centerline (it''s self tacking with a single block attached to the centerline) renders it pretty useless. If there is that much wind I may not be flying the yankee jib anyway... but normally, I just leave the jib cleated and allow it to backwind as I slooooowly ease the stern through the wind and push the boom to the other side, then cast it off... After easing the new leeward runner and mainsheet to their approximate position, I tie them off and tack/set the jib (to keep it from flogging too much) then go back and properly set the other sails.

Jeff is right that a gaff cutter that big will be a handfull... I have sailed on a gaff schooner about 70 feet in lenght, and that''s not so bad as the masts are generally not as high on a schooner, so the sails are smaller and easier to manage... but on that boat, there are no runners to manage, the foresails are left to tack themselves... the main is just sheeted in and left to slowly tack as the wheel is turned over... she turns pretty slowly so it''s not too dramatic...

I''d also agree about the Highfield levers... heard they are pretty dangerous... for a while, I was using the new windward jib winch to tighten the new windward runner, but then timing the switch from jib sheet to runner tail was a big PITA...

I''d read on this board somewhere that it shouldn''t be necessary to winch down a runner at all... that they only need to be snug which my 4 part block can give me, and then I cleat it off on a standard cleat. They said the main purpose of the runner was to keep the mast from pumping, not to really put any tension on it. I''m trying this with some success so far this year... however, having a dedicated winch and cleat/locking cam would be ideal.

Cheers!
Mike