Butterfly (sailing)
Butterfly refers to a sail position on boats with sloop rigging or on two-masted gaff sailors ( e.g. Ewer )
On a downwind course , the foresail and the mainsail are guided on different sides of the ship. From the starting point downwind to one of the two sail geschiftet .
Then you sail “flat in front of the wind” directly to leeward . The helmsman has to watch the aft wind carefully to avoid an involuntary "patent jibe" . In order to secure the tree against such a crossing, a " bull stand " is used; this is a rope that is led from the tree to the foredeck where it is attached (tied). Alternatively, it is also possible to cross in front of the wind , which relieves the helmsman significantly, especially in rough seas, and is usually even faster because of the better aerodynamics for a sloping sail . Another alternative is to use a gennaker or spinnaker for leeward courses. Then the mainsail can be salvaged and is no longer a danger either.
The position of the main tree is decisive for the rules of evasion . If possible, you will leave the boom to port - otherwise you will have to avoid any other sailing ship, which requires at least renewed shifting or even a jibe when sailing with butterflies .
The English name "Butterfly" is also common for this sail position.
source
- Seamanship. Yachting manual. 28th edition, Delius Klasing Verlag , Bielefeld 2013, ISBN 978-3-7688-0523-0 . Pages 206, 653