(Going through all the photographs and videos, it took me ages to find a photo where I wasn't doing anything with the crew.)

The Role of the Crew Member in a Two-Handed Dinghy

(Why the person not holding the tiller is doing far more than you think)

When people first step into a two-handed dinghy, there’s a common assumption:

“The helm does the sailing… the crew just sits there.”

Nothing could be further from the truth.

In reality, a good crew member is half the brain, half the engine, and most of the balance system of a two-handed dinghy. On a river like the Thames, where wind shifts, bends, and obstructions are constant, the crew’s role becomes even more important.

1. Weight and Balance – The Invisible Controls

The crew’s body weight is one of the most powerful controls on the boat.

• Moving in and out controls heel

• Moving forwards and aft affects trim and speed

• Hiking keeps the sails driving rather than spilling wind

On a river, where gusts arrive sideways off trees and buildings, the crew often reacts before the helm even thinks about it.

If the helm steers the boat, the crew keeps it sailing flat, fast, and upright.

2. Sail Handling – Especially the Jib

The crew usually controls the jib, and that makes them critical during:

• Tacks – easing at the right moment, trimming in smoothly

• Gybing – keeping things calm, controlled, and tangle-free

• Upwind work – adjusting sheet tension for changing wind

Pull too early and you steer the boat the wrong way.
Pull too late and you lose momentum.

Good jib work feels invisible. Bad jib work is instantly obvious.

3. Communication – Talking the Boat Around the River

A two-handed dinghy works best when it sounds like a quiet conversation, not a debate.

The crew often has:

• The better view of traffic, buoys, and riverbanks

• Time to watch gusts coming down the water

• Capacity to call “gust coming”, “ready about”, or “hold it”

On a river, anticipation matters more than reaction – and the crew is usually best placed to spot what’s coming next.

4. Boat Handling Ashore and Afloat

Crew work doesn’t stop when the boat stops sailing.

Launching, landing, holding the boat head-to-wind, stepping masts, sorting sheets, and keeping things tidy all fall naturally into the crew role. A calm, organised crew makes everything else easier – especially at busy slipways.

5. The Confidence Builder

For many new sailors, crewing is the perfect way to learn:

• You feel how the boat responds

• You learn sail shapes and wind awareness

• You build confidence before taking the helm

In fact, many excellent helms started out as thoughtful, observant crew members.

Final Thought

In a two-handed dinghy, the helm may hold the tiller – but the crew makes the boat work.

Get the crew role right, and sailing becomes smoother, faster, and far more enjoyable. Get it wrong, and no amount of steering will save you.