As with many aspects of using asymmetric spinnakers (gennakers) many believe gybing a Gennaker is a difficult operation. It can be an interesting experience in strong winds as of course gybing can be anyway but in light to moderate winds gybing the Xenon Gennaker is a relatively straightforward procedure.
Practice gybing in light winds, ie no more than 10 knots to get the feel for it. As you gain confidence try your skills in stronger winds.
The most important advice for the crew is to release one gennaker sheet and pull the other over as soon as the gybe commences. Any delay in doing this is usually the root cause of gennaker problems.
The role of the Helm is to follow normal gybing procedure and avoid over steering. Start with the Xenon well under control, travelling reasonably quickly and flat and give adequate warning to the crew of the Gybe.
As soon as the Helm warns of an impending Gybe the crew should uncleat the Jib, lightly pull in the Jib sheet on the other side and cleat it and forget it, at least until the Gybe is complete. As the helm calls 'Gybe ho' drop the current Gennaker sheet and quickly pull the Gennaker in on the other side. Done firmly and smoothly at an early point in the Gybe the Gennaker will slide across the Jib wire and reinflate on the new tack. Done very smoothly and firmly the gennaker will glide from one side to the other without touching the Jib wire and will remain inflated and pulling throughout the manouvre but you will need a little bit of wind to achieve such a slick Gybe. If the crew is a little slow in pulling the Gennaker sheet in, particularly when the wind is very light the Gennaker will gently and tastefully drape itself across the Jib wire. In these circumstances the Helm may have to change course in order to use the wind to lift the gennaker off from the Jib wire.
Once the gennaker is flying nicely in a light wind the Gennaker may show signs of collapsing (the leading edge will curl under and the gennaker begin to slide sideways). Counter this by giving a sharp light tug on the sheet to flick the Gennaker into life and then allow it to fly until the leading edge starts to curl again. If it is reluctant to remain inflated on the new course pull the gennaker sheet in further until it inflates and steadies. Then ease it out until once again the leading edge begins to curl. It may be necessary for the Helm to modify the course to show the Gennaker a little more wind at the expense of sailing slightly high.
As the need to retrieve the Gennaker approaches, a synchronised gentle bearing away and rapid drop of the Gennaker produces the best results. When hoisting or dropping the Gennaker the crew should stand in the centre of the dinghy, bend to grasp the uphaul or downhaul lines as close to the spinnaker lock / Downhaul block as possible and then pull out a full armful of line straightening up in the process. This will produce the fastest hoist / downhaul. Speed is essential on the drop if the Gennaker is to be kept out of the water.
On occasion, usually if the Xenon is not travelling downwind, the Gennaker may jam and prove difficult to pull in. Remember the Gennaker is a light sail, instead of applying excessive force that may result in expensive damage to the sail, partially rehoist (by which time the helm may have noticed and turned downwind) and then continue the drop.