Getting the Seating Position Right in a Sailing Dinghy

Small movements. Big gains.

One of the first things you discover when learning to sail a dinghy is that where you sit matters just as much as what you do with the sails. Move your weight a few inches forward or aft, or lean a little too far inboard, and the boat’s behaviour changes instantly.

This isn’t about comfort.
It’s about balance, control, and performance.

Why seating position matters

A sailing dinghy is light, responsive, and very honest. It tells you immediately when something isn’t quite right:

• Sitting too far aft drags the transom, slows the boat, and makes steering heavy

• Sitting too far forward buries the bow and increases drag

• Sitting too far inboard lets the boat heel excessively

• Sitting too far outboard in light winds stops the sails working efficiently

Your body is not just along for the ride — you are part of the boat’s control system.

Fore and aft balance – trim is everything

Think of the dinghy as a see-saw:

• In light winds, sit slightly forward to reduce transom drag

• In moderate winds, aim for level trim with the waterline flat

• In strong winds, move aft a touch to keep the bow from digging in

A well-trimmed boat glides.
A poorly trimmed one feels sticky and slow, no matter how hard you pull the ropes.

Side-to-side balance – controlling heel

Heel is not the enemy — excessive heel is.

• Sit inboard in very light winds to encourage the sails to fill

• Move outboard as the wind increases to keep the boat upright

• Hike only as much as needed — over-hiking can stall the sails

A flat boat is generally a fast boat, especially on a river where acceleration out of tacks matters more than raw speed.

Crew coordination (double-handers)

In boats like the RS Toura, Wayfarer, or similar training dinghies, helm and crew must move together:

• Slide forward together in light airs

• Move aft together when planing

• Adjust side-to-side weight smoothly during tacks and gybes

Nothing unsettles a boat faster than one person moving without the other expecting it.

The quiet skill that makes everything easier

Getting the seating position right doesn’t look dramatic.
There’s no spray, no noise, no heroics.

But it:

• Improves speed

• Reduces weather helm

• Makes steering lighter

• Makes sail trim easier

• Makes the boat feel calm instead of twitchy

It’s one of those skills that, once learned, makes everything else suddenly fall into place.