How to Sit Comfortably and Safely in an RS Toura or Similar Dinghy

Sitting properly in a dinghy sounds obvious – until you realise just how much difference it makes to your comfort, safety and control of the boat. The RS Toura, with its wide, open cockpit and stable hull, gives you plenty of options for where to put yourself. But not all positions are equal, especially on a river like the Thames where the wind can shift without warning and the boat’s trim changes constantly.

Here’s how to find the most comfortable and safe way to sit in a Toura (or any similar training dinghy) whether you’re helming or crewing.

1. Keep Your Weight Low and Centred

A dinghy is happiest when its crew stay low and balanced. Sitting too high, too far forward, or too far aft makes the boat feel twitchy, especially in gusts.

A good rule:
If you feel as though you’re about to topple overboard, you’re probably sitting too high.

Best practice:

Sit on the windward side in upwind sailing.
Keep your bottom just on the side deck or the edge of the thwart.
Tuck your feet under the toestraps when possible.

This gives you stability and allows you to react quickly to changes in balance.

2. Use the Boat’s Shape to Support You

The Toura’s side decks and the inner gunwale lip are designed to help you secure yourself. Use them.

For helms:

Sit slightly aft of the centreboard case, knees bent, feet braced.
Keep the tiller extension hand relaxed – no death grip required.

For crew:

Sit where you can move smoothly between tacks.
Use the thwart or deck edge to stabilise yourself without locking your body rigid.

3. Keep Your Knees Free – Avoid the “Helm Pretzel”

A very common mistake (which we all do at some point) is twisting yourself into an impossible shape around the tiller extension. Once tangled, you can’t swap sides cleanly during a tack.

To avoid this:

Keep your feet clear of the tiller and mainsheet.
Move your hips first when changing sides.
Let the tiller extension follow your hand rather than forcing it across you.

Smoothness equals comfort – and fewer unexpected swims.

4. Move Before the Boat Tells You To

In a dinghy, sitting is active, not passive. The boat reacts strongly to weight shifts, so a little anticipatory movement keeps everything controlled.

Before a gust hits: Move gently to windward.
Before a lull: Ease back towards the centreline.
Before a tack: Prepare early so your movements stay unhurried.

Small adjustments keep the boat flatter and reduce strain on both helm and crew.

5. Protect Your Back and Legs

Dinghy sailing is fun, but it involves a lot of crouching and bracing. A few simple habits protect your body.

Tips:

Keep your spine neutral and avoid slumping.
Stretch your legs occasionally on long reaches.
Wear grippy, supportive footwear for better bracing.
Use the toerails and straps to distribute weight evenly.

Comfort leads to confidence – and confidence leads to better sailing.

6. Communicate with Your Crew

The RS Toura is a big dinghy, and comfort depends on coordination.

Simple exchanges like:

“I’m going forward.”
“Moving to windward.”
“Ready to tack.”

…prevent the boat lurching because both sailors move at once.

7. Practice Makes Flexible

The more time you spend sitting in the right positions, the more natural it feels. After a few sessions, you’ll instinctively know how to brace, slide, lean and trim without thinking.

If you’re learning later in life (like many of us!), don’t rush it. Comfort and safety come from technique, not youth or athleticism.

Final Thoughts

Sitting comfortably in a dinghy is a skill hidden in plain sight. Get it right, and the boat feels lighter, steering becomes easier, and you stay safer and drier. The RS Toura rewards calm, balanced sailors – and the Thames rewards those who stay adaptable.

Next time you’re out on the water, spend a moment finding the right place to perch. Your back, your crew, and your boat will all thank you.

pmr sailing

Thursday, 20 November 2025