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.

pmr sailing

Wednesday, 26 November 2025