The Art of Crew Balance in a Dinghy
If you're new to dinghy sailing, you might think the sails do all the work. But the real unsung hero of every successful tack, gust recovery, and capsize prevention is... crew balance.
Knowing when and where to shift your weight can make the difference between slicing through a gust and swimming in it.
Why Does Weight Placement Matter?
Dinghies are light, sensitive boats. The distribution of weight — especially fore and aft (front to back) and side to side — directly affects:
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Speed
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Steering
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Heel (tilt)
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Stability
If the weight’s in the wrong place, the boat becomes sluggish, wobbly, or dangerously unbalanced. Get it right, and the boat feels like it’s flying.
Side to Side – The Big One
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In light wind: sit inboard and upright to reduce drag.
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In stronger wind: move outboard (onto the side or even hike out) to balance the heel.
The goal? Keep the boat as flat as possible.
Fore and Aft – Trim is Key
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On upwind legs, crew should sit close to the helm, but not too far back.
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On downwind, the crew may move slightly forward to help the boat plane and balance.
Movement Must Be Smooth
Learn by Watching the Wake
A well-balanced boat leaves a clean wake — a narrow line behind it. If your wake is wide or foamy, something’s wrong with your trim.
Practice Makes Perfect
Try this: sail straight, then deliberately move your weight around and observe how the boat responds. It’s the best way to learn balance by feel — and it builds confidence for gusty conditions.
📖 More crew tips at: https://pmrsailing.uk
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