Monday, 1 December 2025

In the Box: Officer of the Day – Setting the Course and Running the Race

If you spend enough weekends at the sailing club, sooner or later you’ll be asked to take your turn “in the box” as the Officer of the Day (OOD). For new sailors, being OOD can feel like being placed in charge of an aircraft control tower with only a kettle, a pencil and a clipboard for support.

But the truth is: running a race is far easier than it looks—and it gives you a brand-new appreciation of what race officers do behind the scenes every Sunday.

This blog is a simple, friendly guide to what happens in the box: setting a course, starting the fleet, and keeping the race running smoothly on the River Thames.

1. The Best View in the Club

The race hut (or “the box”) is the nerve centre of racing at many Thames sailing clubs.
From here you can see:

Wind direction across the river
Gusts approaching from the gaps in the trees
The state of the stream
The behaviour of the fleet

You also enjoy the secret luxury of making your tea without the boat heeling violently mid-pour.

Being OOD is one of the best ways to learn the river.

2. Reading the River Before You Set the Course

Unlike coastal clubs, Thames courses must fit a narrow, winding ribbon of water. So the OOD considers:

Wind direction: Is it blowing straight down the river or across it?
Stream strength: Will the fleet need short legs upstream?
Tree lines & wind shadows: Avoid placing marks directly under dead spots.
Traffic: Rowers, paddleboarders, fishermen and moored cruisers.

A good course makes the most of the breeze while keeping the race fair and manageable.

3. Choosing the Marks

Your choices will depend on wind direction:

Upwind Start

If the wind allows, setting an upwind first leg is ideal. Even on the Thames, a short beat adds tactical interest without sending sailors into the trees.

Reaches and Dead Runs

Reaching legs tend to be fast and fun; dead runs can get messy with gusts bouncing off banks and buildings.

Using Fixed Marks

Many clubs have numbered or coloured buoys permanently laid. The OOD picks a sequence that:

Avoids long periods in the wind shadow
Gives the slower boats a fair chance
Doesn’t send the entire fleet to Bourne End by accident

Placing Marks

At , we deploy all the Marker Buoys from one of the just before the race.

4. The Starting Sequence: Your Moment of Theatre

Nothing feels more official than pressing the hooter for the five-minute gun.

The sequence usually follows:

5 minutes: Class flag up
4 minutes: Preparatory flag up
1 minute: Preparatory flag down
Go: Class flag down and race starts

From the box, you can spot early starters, drifting boats, and that one sailor who is always cutting it a bit fine.

The trick is calmness. And pressing the right button at the right time.

5. Watching the Race Without Letting It Run Away from You

Once the fleet is away, the OOD monitors:

Boats rounding the correct marks
Any capsizes needing safety boat support
Changes in wind direction requiring a shortened course
Traffic entering the race area
Whether the leading boats will finish within a reasonable time

The OOD may shorten the course by displaying Code Flag S when conditions demand it.

6. When the Wind Shifts Mid-Race

On the Thames, the wind shifts because:

A cloud wanders past
A dog sneezes
Someone opens a conservatory door two miles upriver

If a big shift destroys the fairness of the race, the OOD may:

Change the course
Shorten the race
Allow for another lap where the wind has returned
Occasionally re-start, though this is rare on a river

Your job is to keep the race reasonable, not perfect.

7. Recording the Finish

As each boat crosses the line, note:

A good assistant helps immensely—four eyes are better than two when five boats finish within ten seconds of one another.

After the race, scores go on the board, and the fleet gathers to discuss who was robbed, who read the wind beautifully, and who accidentally sailed an extra lap.

8. Why Being OOD Makes You a Better Sailor

Running races teaches you:

How wind really moves along the Thames
Where wind shadows hide
Why certain marks work and others don’t
How early tacks win races
How small navigational decisions change outcomes

After a few turns in the box, you’ll look at the river with entirely new eyes.

Final Thoughts

Being Officer of the Day is an essential part of life at a Thames sailing club. It’s a chance to support the fleet, learn the river, and appreciate the hidden work that keeps racing fair, fun and flowing.

Next time you’re asked to take the box, don’t panic—brew a tea, grab the flags, and enjoy the best seat in the house.

Saturday, 29 November 2025

Mastering Heel Control on a River

How much heel is too much—and why the Thames behaves differently

One of the biggest differences between sailing on open water and sailing on the Thames is how your boat behaves when it heels. On a lake or the sea, a little heel can feel powerful and efficient. On the Thames, the same heel can send you skidding sideways, heading straight for a willow tree, or drifting gently into the path of a paddleboarder who really didn’t expect to meet a dinghy sideways today.

Heel control is one of the quiet master-skills of river sailing. It affects speed, steering, and balance more than many beginners realise. Get it right, and the boat feels light and lively. Get it wrong, and everything becomes a fight.

Let’s look at how much heel is too much—and why the Thames has its own unique rules.

1. Why Heel Matters So Much

Heeling is a natural part of dinghy sailing. As the wind presses into the sail, the boat leans away from it. In moderation, this helps create lift and balance.

Too much heel, however:

Reduces rudder grip
Causes the boat to round up unexpectedly
Slows you down
Increases sideways drift (leeway)
Makes manoeuvres sluggish
Gives your crew that look of “are you sure you know what you’re doing?”

The goal is controlled heel, not “look, we’re nearly capsizing!”

2. Why the Thames Has a Strict Heel Limit

River sailing adds complications that open water doesn’t:

a) The stream steals your grip

When the boat heels even a little, the hull shape changes in the water.
On a river, the stream then pushes harder on the exposed underside, making the boat slip sideways.

b) Narrow channels punish drift

On a lake, drifting sideways is mildly annoying.
On the Thames, five seconds of sideways drift can put you:

In the bank
In a moored cruiser
In a fisherman’s line
In the overhanging branches of a tree that last saw a dinghy back in 1984

c) Gusts are short, sharp and unpredictable

The wind comes through gaps in trees, buildings and islands. A boat already heeling is more likely to get flattened by the next gust.

For all these reasons, river sailors prefer boats to stay much flatter than open-water sailors do.

3. How Much Heel Is “Just Right”?

A good rule of thumb on the Thames:

Aim for 5–10° of heel upwind, and almost none on reaches.

Too flat? The boat feels sticky.
Too heeled? The boat feels wild.
Just right? She tracks beautifully.

On a reach or run, most experienced Thames sailors keep the boat almost level, letting the sail, not the hull, do the work.

4. Move Early… and Move Often

The key to river heel control is anticipation. The boat can go from perfectly balanced to over-heeled in half a second if a gust slips through a gap in the trees.

So:

Move to windward before the gust hits (not after).
Shift in small increments, not dramatic lunges.
Keep your backside ready to slide in or out depending on the next puff.
Talk to your crew—synchronised movement is far more efficient than two independent wobblers.

Your body weight is your primary tool for managing heel.

5. Use the Mainsheet as a “Heel Handbrake”

A quick flick of the mainsheet is often all that’s needed to bring the boat upright again.

In gusts:

Ease a little to spill power.
Re-trim as the boat settles.

On the Thames, where gusts are brief, this technique is essential. You often only need to ease for a second or two.

6. Heel Helps Turning—But Gently

A slight heel to leeward can help the boat pivot more easily during tacks or manoeuvring close to moored boats.

But—and this is important—only a slight heel.
If you let the boat tilt too far, you lose control and the stream pins the hull sideways.

Use heel as a tool, not a default position.

7. The Telltale Signs You’re Heeling Too Much

If any of these are happening, flatten the boat immediately:

You’re struggling to steer.
The boat keeps rounding up.
The leeward side deck is nearly kissing the water.
Your crew says “Um…” in that tone.
You’re heading sideways more than forwards.
Your wake suddenly widens—big sign of drag.

Heel control is basically boat control.

8. A Good Practice Exercise

On your next sail:

Sail upwind with deliberate heel.
Notice how the boat starts slipping sideways.
Now flatten the boat gently.
Notice the sudden improvement in pointing and speed.

Repeating this helps you feel the right amount of heel rather than just guess it.

Final Thoughts

Heel control on a river like the Thames is subtle, responsive and endlessly fascinating. Once you learn how to manage it, sailing becomes calmer, faster and far more predictable. You’ll feel the boat talking to you through the balance, and you’ll know how to respond before anything dramatic happens.

Next time you’re out on the river, try aiming for that sweet spot of gentle, controlled heel. It’s the difference between wrestling the boat and working with it.

Friday, 28 November 2025

Beginner’s Guide to Wind Shadows on a Narrow River

How trees and buildings ruin your airflow—and what to do about it

You line up for the start of a race on the Thames. There’s a lovely breeze, the boat feels lively, and you’re quietly congratulating yourself on choosing the perfect starting position. The horn goes, you sheet in… and suddenly the boat loses all power. The sails flap uselessly, the boat slows to a crawl, and half the fleet glides past on the other side of the river.

You’ve entered: The Wind Shadow Zone.

On a narrow river like the Thames, wind shadows are enormous, unpredictable and absolutely race-defining. A line of trees, a tall house, a moored cruiser, even a passing cloud can rob your sails of air. For beginners, it’s baffling. For regular river sailors, it’s the difference between a heroic performance and quietly drifting into a willow tree.

Here’s a simple, friendly guide to understanding how wind shadows form—and how to survive them.

1. What Is a Wind Shadow?

A wind shadow is an area of disturbed, slowed, or completely broken airflow created when something blocks the wind. On open water, it might be a cliff or a building. On the Thames, it’s usually:

A line of tall trees
Houses on the bank
Sailing club buildings
Moored cruisers and cabin boats
Overhanging banks
Hills behind the river

Wind hits these obstacles, tumbles over them and becomes chaotic for anything downstream—like your dinghy.

Think of it as the wind equivalent of turbulence behind a lorry.

2. Why Wind Shadows Are Worse on Narrow Rivers

On the sea, shadows disperse quickly because there’s lots of open space.

On the Thames:

Both banks can create shadows simultaneously.
The river can funnel the wind unpredictably.
A single tree line may block half the course.
The wind can “bounce” off houses and create swirls.

This means that a gusty, inconsistent wind is normal on the river—not a sign you’re doing something wrong.

3. The Classic Race Start Problem

You start in strong, steady airflow out in the middle.
But within 100 metres, the fleet reaches a section lined with trees and instantly divides into:

The lucky few who chose the windy side
The frustrated many who drift into the shadow
The very unlucky who now have a perfect view of the entire fleet pulling ahead

If you’ve ever started well and then stopped dead for no obvious reason, congratulations—you’ve met the wind shadow.

4. How to Spot a Wind Shadow Before You Sail Into It

Beginner sailors often see the effects of a wind shadow only afterwards. But there are clues:

Look at the water

Textured, rippled surface = wind
Smooth glassy water = shadow
Patchy texture = gusts slipping through gaps in the trees

Look at the sails ahead of you

If boats suddenly luff, sag, or slow down as they approach the bank, there’s a reason.

Look at the trees themselves

Moving leaves = breeze
Still leaves = you’re heading into a dead zone

5. The Best Tactic: Stay in the Breeze, Even If It Means Sailing Further

Many beginners steer the shortest route up the river.
Experienced sailors steer the best-airflow route.

It might be:

More in the middle
Further from the windward bank
On the opposite side to the fleet
Even a slightly longer bit of river

You’ll go faster in wind, even if the distance is greater.

6. Use Gust Lines Like Motorways

A “gust line” is a visible dark patch of water where a gust has hit the surface.

If you can tack into a gust line before hitting a shadow, do it.
If you can stay in a gust line while others drift into still air, you’ll gain huge distances.

River racing is often about chasing these streaks of dark water.

**7. What To Do Inside a Wind Shadow**

Sooner or later, everyone ends up in one. When it happens:

Don’t flap the sail desperately—it won’t help.
Keep the boat flat to reduce drag.
Steer gently—over-steering kills what little flow you have.
Keep moving until you reach fresh air again.
If possible, head towards any sign of rippled water.

Drifting calmly is faster than fighting the boat.

8. Use the Opposite Bank Wisely

Often, one bank is entirely dead while the other still has clean wind.

General patterns:

Tree-lined banks = big shadows
Open fields = fewer shadows
Gaps between houses = gust corridors
Corners = extremely unpredictable wind

Your job is to read the riverbank as much as the water.

9. The Unfairness is the Fun

Yes, wind shadows can be annoying.
Yes, they will ruin your perfect start from time to time.
But they also create the glorious moments where you sneak past half the fleet just by spotting a gust line or avoiding a tree shadow.

It’s part puzzle, part sport, part comedy—and entirely Thames sailing.

Final Thoughts

Learning to read wind shadows is essential for river sailors. Once you start seeing the smooth patches on the water, the wobbly sails, and the still leaves on the bank, the river becomes far more predictable.

Next time you start a race in good breeze and sail straight into a wall of trees, don’t panic—look for the ripples, hunt the gusts, and pick your moment. The wind is still there; you just need to know where it’s hiding.

Thursday, 27 November 2025

Thames Etiquette for New Sailors

Do’s and don’ts when sharing the river with paddlers, fishermen and dog-walkers

The River Thames is a wonderful place to learn to sail, but it’s also a busy corridor shared by a surprising cast of characters: paddleboarders, canoeists, rowers, fishermen, dog-walkers, swimmers (some more intentional than others), and the occasional inflatable unicorn convoy.

Good river etiquette is as important as good boat handling. When everyone understands how to behave around each other, the Thames stays friendly, predictable and safe. Here’s a simple guide for new dinghy sailors on how to share the river respectfully.

1. Give Paddleboarders More Space Than You Think

Paddleboards wobble. Even experienced paddlers have limited manoeuvrability and very little stability.

Do:

Give them a wider berth than you would a dinghy.
Make your course clear early—predictability is polite.
Smile and say hello if you pass close; it reassures them.

Don’t:

Cut in front of them at speed.
Assume they’ve seen you; many look down at the board, not ahead.

Remember: a startled paddleboarder becomes an instant swimmer.

2. Rowers Have Priority—and Limited Visibility

Rowers move quickly but face backwards, so they can’t see where they’re going. Their cox (if they have one) might, but many don’t.

Do:

Keep well clear of rowing crews’ racing lines.
Assume they haven’t seen you until proven otherwise.
Alter course early and positively if you need to avoid them.

Don’t:

Expect them to dodge you—they often can’t without losing rhythm.
Sail directly behind them; they stop suddenly.

If in doubt: steer early, not sharply.

3. Treat Fishermen with Great Respect (and Quiet Sails)

Fishermen treasure peace, and nothing ruins their day faster than a dinghy dragging a mainsheet across their line.

Do:

Pass behind them whenever possible.
Lower your voice as you go by—sound carries.
Look for rod tips and lines extending into the water.

Don’t:

Sail over a fishing line—you may discover exactly how quickly a Toura stops!
Blast music or shout loudly near their pegs.

A friendly wave usually goes a long way.

4. Dog-Walkers and Riverbank Users

You’ll often be sailing close to the bank in light winds or manoeuvring upstream.

Do:

Be aware of dogs in the water—they may swim out unexpectedly.
Allow space for paddle launches.
Watch for children playing at the water’s edge.

Don’t:

Gybe close to walkers—big movements of the boom can startle people.
Aim for the bank on a tack hoping for a heroic last-minute turn; it alarms bystanders more than you think.

The riverbank is shared territory, not your private escape lane.

5. Keep Your Angle Predictable

Most river users don’t understand how dinghies work.
If you suddenly lurch off on a broad reach, they’ll assume you’ve lost control.

Do:

Maintain a steady course when passing people.
Slow down slightly if conditions allow.
Think: “If I were them… would I know what I’m about to do?”

Predictability is one of the kindest forms of courtesy.

6. Beware of Wash and Wakes

Motorboats vary from gentle trundlers to weekend warriors who create Olympic-grade waves.
These can unbalance paddlers and cold-water swimmers.

Do:

Turn your bow into the largest wakes.
Give paddlers extra space when wash approaches.
Keep alert for reaction movements from other vessels.

Don’t:

Cross other boats’ wakes at steep angles—it throws everyone off balance.

7. Communicate with Body Language and Sound

Sound doesn’t travel far over wind, but a good wave or a “Coming past your right!” helps enormously.

Do:

Call out early and calmly in busy areas.
Use hand signals when close.
Smile often—it diffuses tension and shows you’re in control.

Don’t:

Shout instructions from too far away; it feels aggressive even when it’s not.

8. Look Behind You (More Than You Expect)

On the Thames, most hazards come from behind—fast rowers, paddleboarders drifting downwind, or motorboats.

Develop a habit:

Quick glance behind every 20 seconds.
Extra checks near bends or moored boats.

This one change improves safety dramatically.

9. Slow Is Polite

You don’t need to screech through every gap like a Formula 1 dinghy racer.

Do:

Ease sails or feather upwind if close to others.
Slow down to pass paddleboarders and fishermen.
Use your speed wisely.

10. Motor Boats

Many are Hire Boats. The Helm is probably very inexperienced, and they suddenly come upon sailboats darting all over the place and panic.

Do:

Try to make your intentions obvious
Try to keep to the opposite side of the river - Tack early and not use the width of the river
Slow down and aim for a point past the stern of their boat.
If they slow to keep out of your way, always give a wave of thanks. It is always appreciated.

Final Thoughts

Good river etiquette isn’t about rules—it’s about understanding that the Thames is a shared space. A thoughtful sailor creates a safer, calmer river for everyone. And the more positive encounters you have with paddlers, fishermen and dog-walkers, the more enjoyable your own sailing becomes.

Next time you’re out, try giving everyone a bit more space, a bit more predictability, and a friendly nod. It keeps the river harmonious and keeps your sailing day stress-free.

Wednesday, 26 November 2025

How to Sail Straight: Fixing on a Marker

Aiming for the Moored Boat

How to Sail Straight: Fixing on a Marker

A technique every beginner needs for consistent steering

When you first take the helm of a dinghy on the Thames, one thing becomes obvious very quickly: sailing in a straight line is much harder than it looks. A dinghy reacts to every tiny movement—of your hand on the tiller, the wind on the sail, the stream beneath the hull, even how much you wiggle your toes. Beginners often weave along the river like a mildly confused duck, wondering why the boat refuses to behave.

The secret to keeping the boat straight is wonderfully simple:

Pick a marker and sail towards it.

This one technique transforms your steering from “wobbly wandering” into smooth, confident progress.

Let’s break it down.

1. Why a Marker Works

Unlike cars, dinghies have no convenient dashboard view straight ahead.
The bow is often too low or too far forward to use as a guide, and the boat reacts slowly—so by the time you correct, you’ve already gone off course.

A marker gives you a stable external reference so you’re steering towards something, rather than simply trying to stay “straight”.

Markers can be:

A tree on the bank
A house roofline
A moored boat
A buoy
A bridge arch
Even a distant chimney or telegraph pole

Anything that isn’t moving is your friend.

2. How to Choose a Good Marker

A good marker should be:

In line with your intended direction
Easy to see (not a tiny twig)
Unlikely to disappear behind something
Not itself moving (rowing boats: unreliable)

For river sailing, pick something high—trees and rooftops show less “drift” than something low on the water.

3. Gentle Hand, Gentle Corrections

Once you’ve chosen your marker, the key is to keep the boat pointing at it without over-steering.

Tips:

Hold the tiller extension lightly between thumb and fingertips.
Apply tiny adjustments—think millimetres, not inches.
Let the boat settle before correcting again.
Look at the marker, not the tiller.

If you stare at the rudder hand, you’ll weave. If you stare at the marker, you’ll track true.

4. Don’t Correct for Every Wiggle

Dinghies naturally sway left and right as stream and gusts hit them.
Your job isn’t to eliminate every tiny movement—just keep the trend on course.

A good rule:
If the bow returns towards the marker on its own, don’t interfere.

Over-correction is the main reason beginners zig-zag across the river like a slightly drunk swan.

5. How to Reset Your Marker Mid-Sail

The river bends, the wind shifts, and other boats appear exactly where you want to sail.
So don’t be afraid to choose a new marker when needed.

To reset smoothly:

Pick a fresh object ahead of your new course.
Turn towards it.
Hold your gaze steady.
Keep your hands soft and relaxed.

Within seconds you’re gliding straight again.

6. A Fun Practice Exercise

Try this on a quiet stretch of water:

Choose a tree or rooftop on the bank.
Sail towards it for 30 seconds without looking anywhere else.
Notice how little effort it takes.
Then deliberately steer without a marker—see the difference!

Most learners are amazed by how much smoother their sailing becomes when focused ahead rather than down at their hands and feet.

7. The Thames Twist

On the river, stream can push you sideways even when your steering is perfect.
If you find yourself drifting off-line:

Keep pointing at your marker
Lean the boat slightly to counter stream
Trim the sail for steady drive
Stay patient—don’t fight every push

Consistency, not brute force, wins on the Thames.

Final Thoughts

Fixing on a marker is one of those deceptively simple skills that separates nervous beginners from relaxed, confident sailors. It gives you direction, stability, and a sense of control—especially when everything else on the river seems to be moving.

Next time you take the helm, try choosing a marker early and committing to it. You’ll be amazed at how straight your sailing suddenly becomes.

Tuesday, 25 November 2025

Learning to Glide: Maintaining Boat Speed Through the Tack

Reducing hesitation and keeping flow during manoeuvres

One of the biggest challenges for new dinghy sailors—especially those of us learning later in life—is keeping the boat moving during a tack. The theory sounds simple: push the tiller, duck the boom, swap sides. But in practice, the boat often stops dead in the middle, the nose swings reluctantly through the wind, and you end up wondering where all your speed went.

Good sailors don’t fight the boat through a tack. They glide through it. The boat barely loses momentum, the sails fill quickly, and within seconds, they’re charging away on the new course.

The secret? Smoothness, timing, and not rushing the parts that matter.

Here’s how to maintain boat speed through the tack on the Thames, and of course, on a River; a tack happens every 30 seconds or so.

1. Start With Speed – It Makes Everything Easier

A tack is much easier if you begin with a little extra pace.
Without speed, the bow can’t push through the wind and you end up stuck in irons.

Before tacking, aim to:

Bear away a tiny fraction to pick up speed
Trim the sail so the boat accelerates smoothly
Choose a moment with a nice steady breeze, not a lull

A tack started with momentum feels completely different from one started half-stalled.

2. The Golden Rule: Smooth Rudder, Not a Jab

A common beginner mistake is forcing the tiller over too fast.
This stalls the rudder, acts like a handbrake, and kills speed instantly.

Instead:

Push the tiller gently
Aim for a smooth, controlled turn
Watch the boat rotate, not lurch

Think of it as guiding the boat rather than asking it politely and then yanking it anyway.

3. Keep the Boat Flat Through the Turn

Heeling during a tack creates drag and slows everything down.

To stay flat:

Lean in slightly as the boat comes head-to-wind
Cross the boat quickly but calmly
Lean back out on the new side to keep balance

It feels odd at first, but a brief lean to windward stops the boat flopping about like a puppy changing directions on a polished floor.

4. Don’t Rush the Cross – Move at the Right Time

Moving too early or too late can both kill your speed.

Move early, and you throw your weight to the new side before the boat is ready, slowing the turn.
Move late, and the boat hesitates in irons.

The perfect moment is just as the boom starts to come across.
By then, the bow is already passing through the wind and the boat is committed to the new tack.

A calm, smooth slide across the boat works wonders.

5. Let the Sail Luff Briefly – Then Trim In Smartly

It’s normal for the sail to luff during a tack.
The trick is to sheet in gradually as it fills again, not yank it on too soon.

Steps:

Let the sail luff as the bow turns.
Once you’re on the new course, trim in smoothly.
Feel the boat accelerate before fully powering up.

If you trim too early, you stall the sail.
Too late, and you lose precious seconds.

6. Don’t Over-Steer on the New Course

Once you’ve completed the turn, straighten the tiller promptly.
Sailing a few degrees too high after the tack slows the boat dramatically.

Aim low for the first few seconds, building speed, then gently come back up to your chosen angle.

This single habit makes the biggest difference for many new sailors.

7. Practise “Roll-Tack Lite” for a Natural Boost

While a full racing roll tack takes lots of practice, a gentle version helps everyday sailing.

Try this:

As you start the tack, lean the boat slightly to leeward.
As you cross the boat, bring it upright with your body weight.
This natural motion gives you a small push through the wind.

It’s subtle and requires no heroics, but you’ll feel the boat glide more easily.

8. The Thames Factor – Tacking in Stream

The river’s flow can help or hinder your turn.

Tips for the Thames:

Tack in stronger wind patches, not in lulls.
Use less rudder when the stream is pushing the bow.
Avoid tacking right next to moored boats or into back-eddies.
If the bow hesitates, keep calm—wait for a puff and try again.

On the river, timing is everything.

Final Thoughts

Tacking smoothly isn’t about gymnastics or brute force. It’s about rhythm.
Build a little speed, keep movements fluid, and trust the boat to glide through the wind rather than wrestle it around.

After a few sessions, you’ll feel the difference. The tack becomes a flowing movement, the boat accelerates out of the turn, and you start to enjoy the manoeuvre rather than dread it.