Why Some Days You Just Drift
The Realities of Light-Wind Sailing — and How to Make (Some) Progress
Not every sailing day is about spray and speed.
Sometimes, it’s about silence, stillness… and slow-motion frustration.
On the Thames, we’ve had days where the anemometer struggles to hit 2 knots, and the boats barely ripple the water. You rig up, launch, and then... drift.
So what do you do when the wind is gone but you're already on the water?
1. Embrace the Drift
You’re not racing today. You’re gliding (maybe). You’ll learn more about sail trim, balance, and the delicate feedback between the boat and water.
2. Get That Tell-Tale Moving
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Maximise sail area — full sails, no reefing.
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Fine-tune the tell-tales and sails to the tiniest breeze.
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Sit still — weight shifts matter more when momentum is microscopic.
3. Minimise Drag
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Centreboard half-up
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Rudder perfectly aligned
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Crew positioned forward and low
Anything dragging? You're slowing the boat.
4. Read the River
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Look for dark patches on the water (wind is there).
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Tree lines block wind – so aim for open water.
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Stream becomes dominant – if you’re not careful, you’ll go backwards.
5. Don’t Fight It
Sometimes, the best move is to accept the conditions, enjoy the quiet, and treat it as practice. Or maybe just float and snack. That's sailing too.
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