Turning Around – Tacking and Gybing

Once you’re confident in this direction, or you start to get close to the other side, you will have to turn around so you head for where you just came from, and so that the wind then will be coming across the other side of the boat.

So you may have the choice… you can either tack or gybe.

Tacking is when you bring the bow of the dinghy up through the eye of the breeze (ie. pointing straight into the breeze) so that the breeze is then coming from the other side of the boat. However, gybing is where you bear away so that the breeze comes from behind you as you (the stern is pointing into the breeze) as you turn so that the breeze then comes from the other side.

Tacking is probably the easiest and will be discussed first.

Tacking

Waiting until the breeze is nice and steady (ie. Not in the middle of a gust), and assuming that you are reaching, slowly bring in the mainsheet and gently push the tiller extension away from you. This will force the boat up into the breeze.

Just as the boat is pointing directly into the wind, while facing forward, quickly but smoothly move to the other side, keeping the tiller and mainsheet in the same hands (try to keep the tiller angle the same throughout). By doing this, when you arrive on the other side, your tiller hand will be behind your back, and your mainsheet hand will now be your back hand. This may seem a little strange but works best for a smooth transition from one side to another.

As the sail fills, the tiller is now still pulled towards you, so push the tiller away from you again to make the boat travel straight.

Now you need to swap tiller & mainsheet hands. With the mainsheet in your back hand, reach down and grab the tiller extension in the same hand. Then let go of the tiller with your front hand (which is behind your back), and grab the mainsheet.

Now steer the boat so that it is pointing at roughly 90° to the wind, and hopefully, you should be heading back in roughly the same direction to where you just came from.

Tacking takes practice, and these are just the basics. However, as with most things, mastering the basics makes for a solid foundation for learning the trickier maneuvers, so keep practicing those tacks.

This may be enough to get you out on the water for your 1st sail, however, keep reading to familiarize yourself with other tips that, if you don’t use on your 1st day, you will definitely use on subsequent days.

Have a look at the video below which provides a good explanation of the steps involved when tacking a one-person small sailboat…

Roll Tacking (more advanced tacking method)

Roll tacking is a more advanced maneuver in a dinghy, but it can give you a good speed boost as you exit the tack, so is a preferred option. It can be a challenging maneuver to master, but with practice and proper technique, you can improve your skills. Here are some steps to help you enhance your roll tacking technique:

1. Approach: As you approach the tack, make sure you have enough speed to maintain momentum throughout the maneuver. Keep the boat flat and balanced to minimize drag.
2. Weight Transfer: Just before initiating the tack, transfer your weight smoothly and quickly to the windward side of the boat. This will help the boat turn smoothly and prevent it from stalling.
3. Sail Trim: Release the mainsail slightly to allow it to spill wind, reducing the power and heeling of the boat. This will make it easier to roll the boat through the tack.
4. Roll the Boat: As you initiate the tack, use your body weight to roll the boat smoothly and efficiently. Lean back and extend your lower body out over the water while keeping your upper body inside the boat.
5. Steering: As the boat rolls, use the tiller extension to steer the boat through the tack. Apply slight pressure to the tiller towards the direction of the roll, helping the boat turn smoothly and maintain forward momentum.
6. Recovery: Once the tack is complete, quickly transfer your weight back to the center of the boat and adjust the sail trim for the new course.

Remember, practice is key to improving your roll tacking skills. Start by practicing in light to moderate winds and gradually progress to stronger winds as you become more comfortable. It can also be helpful to watch experienced sailors or seek guidance from a sailing instructor who can provide personalized tips and feedback.

Gybing (or Jibing)

The other way to head back in the same direction as you came is to perform a gybe.

Similarly to tacking, wait until the breeze is nice and steady (ie. Not in the middle of a gust), then slowly ease the mainsheet so that it is almost all the way out (ie. 90° to the boat), and gently pull the tiller extension towards you. This will force the boat down away from the breeze.

When the boat is nearly pointing directly with the wind, watch the leech of the sail. When it starts to curl slightly, grab the mainsheet of the sail, and give the sail a hand to cross over the other side. An alternative is to pull on some of the mainsheet so that it brings the sail in and makes it easier for the sail to swap over to the other side (see the video below).

As the boom crosses over, keep your head down, and while facing forward, quickly but smoothly move to the other side, keeping the tiller and mainsheet in the same hands (try to keep the tiller angle the same throughout). By doing this, when you arrive on the other side, your tiller hand will be behind your back, and your mainsheet hand will now be in your back hand. As the sail fills, the tiller is now still pushed away from you, so pull the tiller into a central position again to make the boat travel straight.

Now you need to swap tiller & mainsheet hands. With the mainsheet in your back hand, reach down and grab the tiller extension in the same hand. Then let go of the tiller with your front hand (which is behind your back), and grab the mainsheet.

Now get the boat pointing at roughly 90° to the wind, and hopefully, you should be heading back in roughly the same direction to where you just came from.

As with tacking, gybing takes practice. There is probably more chance that you will capsize while gybing, as the boat is unbalanced for a longer amount of time.

Make sure you check out the video below by John Emmett for some extra tacking and gybing tips…