Dinghy Racing Tips

Despite a race officer’s best effort there is usually one end of the start line that is advantaged over the other. The longer the line the greater this advantage will be. There are 3 main...

Being on the start line when the start gun goes is good. But it won’t help you much if you’re at a standstill as your competitors will just sail over you, leaving you in...

In this article you'll learn how to make a DIY mast float using just a milk bottle, rope, and some tape. In a strong breeze having one may actually give you an advantage. They...

Telltales (also known as tell-tails) are pieces of fabric, used in sailing to assist with trimming of the sail. They can be attached to both rigging and sails to identify the wind flow in...

The proper course rule probably confuses more sailors than any other rule. However, the basics are actually pretty straightforward. This article will start by explaining the basics and progress into an FAQ to help...

“All you need to do is win the start and then just extend your lead” This line is from Buddy Melges’s book Sailing Smart (well worth the read). It demonstrates just how important getting a...

Upwind Sailing Tactics Tactics can be the difference between success and disaster when it comes to dinghy racing. And upwind sailing is where tactics come into play the most. But… before we start lets define the...

Tacking is by far the most common maneuver sailors do, so it’s the most important one to get right. The key to tacking well is to use the sails and your body weight to do...