Speed Tips for Sailors and Water Sport Lovers

Want to feel the rush of cutting through water faster? Whether you’re on a small dinghy or a bigger yacht, a few easy changes can add real speed. Below are simple steps you can try on your next outing.

Check Your Hull and Blade

A clean, smooth hull reduces drag. Rinse off any algae or sand after each trip and give the bottom a quick polish every few weeks. The same goes for the propeller or rudder – a few scratches can slow you down, so sand it smooth and re‑balance if needed.

Trim the Sail Right

Most speed loss comes from a poorly trimmed sail. Keep the foot of the sail flat on a close reach and pull the leech in on a downwind leg. Small tweaks with the outhaul and cunningham can make a big difference. Feel the pull of the wind and adjust until the boat points steady without shaking.

Weight distribution matters too. Keep heavy gear low and centered. If you’re sailing with a crew, sit toward the middle to avoid the boat pitching up and down. Lightening the bow lets the water lift the front, reducing resistance.

Watch the wind shifts. A sudden change can make your boat luff or stall. Use a small handheld wind meter or watch the telltales on the sail – when they flare, you’re at the right angle. Small steering corrections keep you on the fastest line.

When you have a catamaran or multihull, keep the hulls as level as possible. Too much heel or one hull lifted out of the water creates extra drag. Use the mainsheet and jib sheets together to balance the boat.

For powerboats, the same idea applies: clean the hull, check the propeller pitch, and keep the load light. Avoid overfilling the tank – too much weight slows you down.

Finally, practice makes perfect. Spend a few minutes each outing focusing on one tweak – hull clean, sail trim, weight balance – and log your speed. You'll see which changes give the biggest boost.