The Magic of Roll Tacking
I’ll be honest—I’m not naturally good at these. But when I get one right, the difference is astonishing.
One of the joys of learning to sail—especially as an adult—is discovering that some techniques feel absolutely impossible… until the one magical day when suddenly they don’t. Roll tacking is one of those moments.
When you watch experienced dinghy sailors do it, it looks effortless: the boat tilts, pivots and pops out the other side of the tack with a little burst of acceleration, almost as if the river has given it a friendly push.
Then you try it and the boat either:
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stops dead mid-tack,
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rolls the wrong way,
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throws your crew off balance,
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or leaves you tangled in a mainsheet wondering whether gravity is friend or foe.
But when you do get it right—just once—it feels magical. The boat accelerates, the tack completes smoothly, and you suddenly understand why racing sailors swear by this technique.
Let’s demystify what’s happening and how to start learning roll tacks on the Thames.
1. What Is a Roll Tack?
A roll tack uses your body weight to assist the boat through the turn, rather than relying solely on the rudder.
Instead of dragging the boat around with a big tiller movement—which slows you down—you gently roll the boat to help it pivot.
In simple terms:
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You tilt the boat slightly to leeward before the tack
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Cross the boat as the bow turns through the wind
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Then bring it upright on the new side with a positive movement
That final “roll upright” creates a burst of acceleration that feels brilliant.
2. Why It Works
There are two reasons roll tacking is so effective:
a) Reduced rudder drag
Less tiller = less drag = more speed.
b) A built-in acceleration
The act of rolling the boat upright as the sail fills creates extra airflow and lift.
It’s a free boost. And who doesn’t like free speed?
3. Why the Thames Makes Roll Tacking… Interesting
The Thames, being narrow, gusty and full of tree-induced wind shadows, requires timing more than brute technique.
You need:
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Enough wind to complete the turn
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Not too much wind to over-roll
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Space to wiggle the boat
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Stream that isn’t fighting you at exactly the wrong moment
Some tacks will feel miraculous. Others will feel like punishment for past sins.
This is perfectly normal.
4. How to Attempt a Roll Tack (Beginner-Friendly Version)
Step 1: Build a little speed
Just a couple of seconds of extra pace makes the whole thing easier.
Step 2: Ease the boat gently to leeward
Lean your shoulders slightly inboard.
Don’t try to capsize yourself—just encourage the boat to tilt.
Step 3: Smooth tiller movement
Push the tiller lightly.
No big shove. Let the boat respond.
Step 4: Cross the boat at the right moment
Move as the boom starts to come across.
Stay low. Keep movements tidy.
Step 5: Roll the boat upright on the new side
This is the magic bit.
As the sail fills, bring your weight outboard to flatten the boat crisply.
If you hear the hull “pop” or feel the boat leap forward, you’ve nailed it.
Step 6: Settle and trim
Straighten the tiller.
Trim the sail, find your course, and enjoy the afterglow of a well-executed tack.
5. What Usually Goes Wrong (and Why It’s Fine)
Here are the common errors every learner makes:
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Leaning too much too early
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Leaning too little too late
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Getting stuck in the middle of the boat
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Oversteering
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Forgetting to trim the sail after the tack
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Standing up too tall and losing balance
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Accidentally demonstrating a capsize in slow motion
All normal. All survivable.
The goal isn’t perfection—it’s progress.
6. The First Time It Works
You’ll know it instantly.
The boat pops upright.
The acceleration surprises you.
You come out of the tack already moving.
Your crew looks impressed (or relieved).
And you think: “Why doesn’t every tack feel like this?”
Because it takes practice—but the reward is worth it.
7. Why Roll Tacking Makes You a Better Sailor
Even if you’re not planning to race, practising roll tacks improves:
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Balance
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Timing
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Awareness of wind pressure
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Sensitivity to rudder movement
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Confidence on both tacks
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Recovery from low-wind patches
It’s one of those skills that improves everything else.
Final Thoughts
Roll tacking is one of the magical upgrades in your sailing journey. Tricky at first, often messy, occasionally comic—but when it clicks, it’s transformative.
I’m the first to admit I’m not a natural at it, but every time I manage a decent roll tack, the boat feels alive in my hands. It’s worth every attempt, every wobble and every less-than-graceful “learning moment.”
Give it time. Play with the technique. And enjoy the moments when it works—it truly is one of sailing’s small joys.
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