From River Dinghy to Sea Yacht – How Would I Cope?

I sail dinghies on a river. Short tacks, shifting wind, trees playing tricks, and a current that never quite does what you expect. So how would that prepare me for sailing a yacht at sea?

Surprisingly well – but with a few important gaps to fill.

What River Dinghy Sailing Gives You (That Really Helps)

River sailing is intense sailing. You’re constantly making decisions.

• Wind awareness – On a river, the wind is rarely steady. You learn to read ripples, flags, trees, and buildings. At sea, the wind is cleaner, but those instincts still work.

• Boat handling skills – Dinghies demand precision. Sail trim, balance, and steering all matter immediately. That sensitivity transfers beautifully to yachts.

• Tactical thinking – Rivers force you to plan ahead: when to tack, where the pressure is, how the stream will affect you. That habit of thinking ahead is invaluable offshore.

• Crew communication – In a dinghy, poor communication is instantly punished. Good habits carry straight across.

In many ways, river sailors are over-trained for awareness and reactions.

What the Sea Will Add (and Demand)

The sea changes the scale of everything.

• Momentum and inertia – A yacht doesn’t stop or turn quickly. Decisions must be made earlier and more calmly.

• Navigation – On a river, the banks tell you where you are. At sea, you must know your position, heading, tides, and hazards.

• Weather systems – River sailing reacts to what’s happening now. Sea sailing requires understanding what will happen in six or twelve hours.

• Self-reliance – No easy landing points, no clubhouse tea ten minutes away. Planning matters.

The Biggest Mental Shift

The hardest adjustment isn’t technical – it’s patience.

River dinghy sailing rewards constant activity. Yacht sailing rewards anticipation and restraint. You still trim sails and steer carefully, but you think further ahead and act less often.

Would a River Dinghy Sailor Cope?

Absolutely.

A river dinghy sailor already has:

• Strong boat-feel

• Excellent wind awareness

• Good sail trim instincts

• Calm reactions under pressure

Add:

• Navigation skills

• Tidal knowledge

• Basic offshore safety training

…and the transition becomes not just manageable, but enjoyable.

Final Thought

River sailing teaches you to dance with chaos. Sea sailing teaches you to plan within scale.

If you can sail a dinghy well on a river, you’re far closer to coping with a yacht at sea than you might think.

Look Up at the Burgee… or Look Down at a Screen?

Why We’re Building Our Own Wind Speed & Direction Indicator

 When you’re sailing a dinghy, especially on a river, you’re constantly asking one simple question:

What is the wind doing right now?

For generations, sailors have answered that by looking up at a burgee or telltales.
More recently, we’ve started looking down at electronic wind displays showing speed and direction in neat digital numbers.

Both approaches work.
Both have limitations.
And that’s exactly why we’re building our own wind speed and direction indicator.

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Looking Up: The Burgee Advantage

There’s a reason the humble burgee is still everywhere.

What it does brilliantly

• Shows instant wind direction at the boat

• Reacts immediately to gusts and lulls

• Needs no power, calibration, or software

• Trains sailors to feel the wind rather than chase numbers

On rivers like the Thames, where wind bends, lifts, and disappears behind trees, a burgee often tells you more than any instrument ever could.

But…

What it doesn’t tell you

• Actual wind speed

• What’s happening away from the boat

• How conditions are changing over time

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Looking Down: Electronic Wind Indicators

Electronic wind sensors bring a different kind of clarity.

Their strengths

• Quantitative wind speed (great for learning and analysis)

• Logged data over time

• Remote placement (masthead, bank-side, safety boat)

• Useful for coaching, teaching, and post-sail review

But they come with a cost:

• Lag and smoothing hide rapid changes

• Screens draw eyes into the boat, not out at the water

• Numbers can distract beginners from developing instinct

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Why We’re Building Our Own

Off-the-shelf systems are often:

• Too expensive

• Designed for yachts, not dinghies

• Over-complicated for teaching environments

So we’re creating a simple, robust, educational wind indicator designed specifically for learning sailors.

Our Design Goals

• Direction you can see instantly (physical vane or LED compass rose)

• Wind speed that makes sense (visual scale, not just numbers)

• Data logging for teaching and review

• Low cost & repairable

• River-friendly, coping with turbulence and gusts

Think of it as:

A burgee that can explain itself.

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The Teaching Angle

For learners, especially adults starting later in life, this hybrid approach is powerful:

• Look up → develop instinct and awareness

• Look down (briefly) → confirm, reflect, and learn

Instead of replacing traditional sailing skills, the electronics reinforce them.

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The Big Question

If a burgee tells you what the wind is doing now…
and electronics tell you what it’s been doing overall…

Why not use both—designed properly for learning sailors?

That’s exactly what we’re working on.

 

Can River Racing Be as Exciting as Offshore Racing?

When people think of exciting sailing, their minds often jump straight to offshore racing: big seas, towering waves, foaming bow spray, and yachts charging across open water. River racing, by comparison, can sound… well… tame.

But here’s the truth: river racing can be just as exciting — and in many ways, more intense — than offshore racing.

Different waters, different adrenaline

Offshore racing delivers scale. Big boats, big distances, big weather systems. The excitement comes from endurance, seamanship, and managing risk over long periods.

River racing, on the other hand, delivers compression.

Everything happens closer, faster, and with far less margin for error.

• Boats are constantly close together

• Decisions must be made in seconds, not minutes

• A mistake costs you immediately, not half an hour later

There’s no hiding place on a river.

The river never stops moving

Unlike open water, a river is alive with complexity:

• Shifting wind caused by trees, banks, bridges, and buildings

• Stream and eddies that can help or destroy your race

• Bends and narrow reaches that force tactical choices

• Fixed marks and geography that reward local knowledge

Two boats can be only metres apart and be sailing in completely different conditions.

That makes river racing a mental workout as much as a physical one.

Boat handling under pressure

River racing magnifies every skill:

• Tacking and gybing in tight spaces

• Accelerating cleanly out of manoeuvres

• Holding lanes on short beats

• Rounding marks with centimetres to spare

There’s often no room to recover from a poor tack or a slow hoist. The pressure is constant, and the feedback is immediate.

If offshore racing tests your planning, river racing tests your reactions.

Racing without the fear factor

Another often-overlooked point: river racing can be exciting without being intimidating.

• You’re usually close to shore

• Safety cover is nearby

• Races are shorter and more accessible

• You can learn quickly without committing days or weeks

For many sailors — especially those learning or returning to the sport — this makes river racing more enjoyable, not less.

Spectacle up close

From the bank, river racing can be fantastic to watch:

• Boats converging at bends

• Tight mark roundings

• Rapid position changes

• Tactical battles you can actually see

It’s sailing stripped of the distant horizon and brought right to your feet.

So… is it as exciting?

Yes — but in a different way.

• Offshore racing is epic

• River racing is intense

One stretches time and distance. The other compresses them.

And if excitement is about decision-making under pressure, close competition, and constant engagement, then river racing doesn’t just compete with offshore racing — it thrives.

Sometimes, the wildest races happen where the water is narrow and the margins are razor-thin.

 

I’ve Learned to Sail… But I Don’t Want to Race. What Now?

For many sailing clubs, racing is seen as the natural next step once you’ve mastered the basics. But what if you’ve learned to sail, you can get the boat afloat, tack, gybe, and get back safely… and you still don’t fancy lining up on a start line?

Good news: you are not at a dead end. In fact, you’re standing at the start of a whole range of very enjoyable sailing pathways.

1. Sail Better, Not Faster

You don’t need a stopwatch to improve your sailing.

There’s huge satisfaction in:

• Smoother tacks and gybes

• Better boat balance and trim

• Quieter sails and a steadier wake

• Feeling the boat flow rather than fight you

Many of the skills that racers obsess over are actually about efficiency and control, not competition. Improving these makes every sail more relaxed and enjoyable.

2. Explore Different Conditions (Gently)

Sailing in a wider range of conditions builds confidence:

• Light winds → sail shape, patience, finesse

• Gusty days → anticipation, balance, safety awareness

• Rivers vs open water → planning, positioning, awareness

You don’t need to push limits—just broaden experience at your own pace.

3. Sail with a Purpose

Racing gives structure, but it’s not the only option:

• Cruise up and down the river to a destination

• Practice close-quarters boat handling

• Sail to photograph wildlife or scenery

• Combine sailing with picnics, coffee stops, or family time

Purpose gives meaning without pressure.

4. Learn the “Why”, Not Just the “How”

Understanding why the boat behaves as it does is deeply rewarding:

• Why sail shape matters

• How wind shifts affect progress

• Why some tacks work better than others

• How stream, tide, and wind interact

This knowledge improves decision-making—and confidence—without needing a racecourse.

5. Try Other Boats (or Other Roles)

You might not like racing dinghies—but:

• You might enjoy crewing

• You might prefer cruising boats

• You might love safety boat duty

• You might enjoy teaching, mentoring, or helping beginners

Clubs thrive on people who sail and support others.

6. Social Sailing Still Counts

Some of the best sailing happens:

• On training evenings

• During club cruises

• On relaxed “come and sail” sessions

• While chatting on the water rather than shouting at marks

Sailing doesn’t have to be loud, rushed, or competitive to be valid.

7. It’s Your Sailing Journey

There’s an unspoken myth that says:

“If you don’t race, you haven’t really progressed.”

That simply isn’t true.

Progress can mean:

• Feeling safer

• Feeling calmer

• Understanding more

• Smiling more

And if, one day, you do decide to try a race?
You’ll arrive calmer, more skilled, and far better prepared.

 

From First Sail to First Start Line

How Novice Racing Can Revitalise Sailing Clubs

Across the UK and beyond, many sailing clubs are facing a familiar problem: membership numbers are shrinking, fleets are ageing, and racing calendars are supported by a small core of highly experienced sailors. Racing has traditionally been the heartbeat of clubs, but for newcomers it can feel intimidating, rule-heavy, and unforgiving.

Yet the irony is this: racing is one of the best ways to become a better sailor.

The challenge for clubs is not whether racing matters, but how we introduce it. The answer, increasingly, lies in novice racing – structured, welcoming, and confidence-building pathways that take sailors from their first taster session to their first competitive start line.

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The Problem with “Straight Into the Fleet”

Many new sailors arrive at clubs through:

• Learn-to-sail courses

• Family open days

• Gift vouchers

• Returning sailors after long breaks

What often happens next is a cliff edge:

• Training finishes

• The only next step offered is club racing

• The fleet is fast, experienced, and rule-savvy

For a newcomer, this can mean:

• Being lapped repeatedly

• Starting badly and never recovering

• Feeling like they are “in the way”

• Not understanding why things went wrong

Unsurprisingly, many drift away – not because they dislike sailing, but because they never felt they belonged on the race course.

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Why Novice Racing Works

Novice racing bridges the gap between instructional sailing and full club racing. It reframes racing as:

• A learning tool

• A social experience

• A safe place to make mistakes

Crucially, it allows sailors to fail forward.

Instead of asking, “Can you race?”, novice racing asks:

“What did you learn this lap?”

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Key Strategies for Effective Novice Racing

1. Separate Starts for Novices

Give novices their own start:

• Shorter sequences

• Fewer boats

• Clear explanations before the horn

This removes start-line anxiety and lets sailors focus on boat handling rather than survival.

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2. Short Courses, Many Races

Instead of one long race:

• Use short windward-leeward or triangle courses

• Run multiple short races back-to-back

Benefits:

• Frequent restarts

• Immediate chances to apply learning

• Less time “lost” after a mistake

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3. Coaching from the Water

A safety or coaching boat can:

• Give quiet tips between races

• Demonstrate mark roundings

• Reassure sailors who are unsure

This transforms racing from an exam into a floating classroom.

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4. Simplified Rules (At First)

Rules are important – but not all at once.

Start with:

• Basic port/starboard

• Windward/leeward

• Room at marks

Introduce complexity gradually, paired with real situations sailors have just experienced.

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5. Results That Reward Learning, Not Just Speed

Consider:

• Informal scoring

• Handicaps tuned for novices

• Recognition for improvement, not podiums

A sailor who masters a clean start for the first time has achieved something worth celebrating.

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6. Clear Progression to “Main Fleet” Racing

Novice racing should not be a dead end.

Make the pathway visible:

1. Learn to sail

2. Discover racing course

3. Novice racing series

4. Mixed novice/club races

5. Full fleet racing

Confidence grows when sailors know what comes next.

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The Social Side Matters Just as Much

Racing retention improves dramatically when sailors:

• Debrief together

• Share stories of mistakes

• Laugh about capsizes and missed marks

Simple habits help:

• Post-race tea or bar sessions

• Friendly prize-givings

• Public encouragement from experienced sailors

A welcoming culture turns racing from competition into community.

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Why This Matters for the Future of Clubs

Clubs that thrive tend to:

• Treat racing as a skill to be taught, not a filter

• Value participation alongside performance

• See novices as future stalwarts, not inconveniences

Novice racing does more than create better sailors – it:

• Builds confidence

• Grows fleets

• Secures the next generation of volunteers, instructors, and race officers

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Final Thought

Racing should not be the reward for already being good at sailing.

It should be the method by which sailors become good.

By investing in novice racing, sailing clubs can honour their racing traditions while opening the door to those who have yet to discover just how addictive that start line can be.

 

Launching the Toura Without Slipping

Using a winch on a slipway – and getting her back out again safely

The RS Toura is a brilliant training and family dinghy – stable, forgiving, and happy on both river and sea.
It is also not light.

That combination means launching and recovering her needs a bit of thought, especially on a slippery slipway. Over the years at the club, I’ve seen plenty of near-misses (and a few undignified slides), so here’s the method that keeps both boat and sailors upright.

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⚠️ Why slipways deserve respect

Slipways are perfect traps:m

• Smooth concrete

• Algae and silt

• Water exactly where your feet go

• Gravity doing the rest

Even experienced instructors slip occasionally. The answer isn’t bravado – it’s using the winch properly and letting the hardware do the hard work.

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🚦 Preparation: before you move an inch

Before the boat goes anywhere near the water:

• Painter attached – long enough to control the boat once afloat

• Winch cable secure – clipped on, locked, and checked

• Centreboard and rudder raised

• All loose kit stowed (nothing rolling aft mid-launch)

• Crew briefed – one person in charge, everyone else listening

If you’re not rushed, you’re already doing it right.

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⬇️ Launching the Toura with a winch

The golden rule: walk the boat down – don’t shove it.

1. Keep the boat on the trailer and attach the winch cable

2. Release slowly, letting the winch control the descent

3. One person guides from the side, never behind

4. Stop when the winch just as the boat starts to float

5. Release the painter from the trolley.

6. Walk the boat clear of the trailer before turning it head-to-wind and securing the boat.

7. Winch the trolley back up the slipway and disconnect it from the winch, and store in a safe place.

No running. No sliding. No heroics.

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⬆️ Recovering the Toura (where accidents really happen)

Recovering is when fatigue, wet boots, and confidence combine dangerously.

1. Lower the trolley down the slipway using the winch.

2. Line up the boat straight with the trailer before approaching

3. Keep the boat head-to-wind or stream for control

4. Use the winch to pull the boat up slowly

5. Keep hands clear of pinch points

6. Stop, check alignment, then continue

If it doesn’t feel right – stop. Gravity will wait.

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👟 Small details that make a big difference

• Non-slip sailing boots (not smooth trainers)

• Gloves for winch handling

• Slow movements beat strong ones

• One clear voice giving instructions

The aim isn’t speed – it’s finishing with dry dignity.

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🌊 Final thought

The Toura rewards calm, methodical sailing – and she likes being launched the same way.
Use the winch, trust the process, and save the slipping for accidental gybes.

Sailing Terms: The Painter

 

The Painter

When you’re learning to sail, it’s not just about wind and waves — it’s also about getting comfortable with the lingo! One term you’ll hear again and again is “painter.” 🚤

👉 A painter is simply the rope attached to the bow (front) of a small boat or dinghy. It’s used to:

• Tie the boat up to a dock or pontoon

• Tow the boat behind another vessel

Just like a bow line on a tender, the painter makes it easy to secure your craft without scrambling for random bits of rope. Most sailors choose a rope that floats, and on boats with a propeller it’s wise to keep the painter shorter than the propeller depth to avoid it getting tangled. Wikipedia

Learn more sailing vocabulary on our glossary 👉 https://pmrsailing.uk/sailing-lessons/Sailing-Terms.html

#SailingTerms #LearnToSail #DinghySailing #pmrsailing