Almost everyone who is starting out into the wonderful world of AsianYachting should take a little time to absorb the following info as they will probably have to handle a boat under oars at some time.

Remember the Ten (10) Basic Rules:
1. First, when you get into any dinghy, step carefully into the center and sit down.
2. Those who jump or stand on the edge of the boat reap their own reward.
3. See to it that the loads (gear or passengers) are distributed evenly.
4. If there are two of you it is much easier if one rows and the other sits in the stern of the boat. If your passenger sits in the bows he upsets the normal trim and makes the boat difficult to row.
5. Once in the boat put the rowlocks (properly called crutches) into position and then insert the oars as you push off
6. As you come alongside a quay or another boat, approach into tide or current because this will slow you down.
7. Remove the near side oar first so that it doesn't get trapped or broken. Obviously you must hold on while you stow oars and crutches.
8. When you climb out of the dinghy do remember to take the painter with you. Those who forget loose their dinghy.
9. Remember also that both wind and tide affect a rowing dinghy (especially a lightweight inflatable one) and you will sometimes find it difficult to row against both.
10. Finally, remember that when you secure the dinghy you must allow for the tide if you are going to leave it at a quay for some time. If the tide is rising, the dinghy may get trapped under the quay if it is on too long a line. If the tide is failing it may get suspended clear of the water if the line is too short! You'll soon learn this with practice.

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Onshore Winds (See above Diagram) produce waves on the beach. The boat must be launched with the sails readied but not hoisted and then turned until the bow is pointing into the wind while the sails are hoisted. Alternatively, the boat may be rowed or paddled clear of the shore and anchored.

With single-handed dinghies, the technique is slightly different. Here the boat is launched with the sail hoisted and held into the wind but perhaps without the boom attached, so that the sail can flap freely. You can then attach the boom and fit the rudder and daggerboard before setting off. To do all this, you will need someone else to hold the bow into the wind while you prepare everything, and you will find that a "buddy" system works well for launching and rigging.

Whether you are sailing a singlehander or two-man yacht, with more experience you may find it is quicker to launch the boat bow-first and fully rigged, so that it can be sailed away immediately. On some steep exposed beaches, this is the only way to get afloat with an onshore wind.

In Offshore Winds, (See Diagram) the sails can be hoisted at the water's edge with the dinghy still on its trolley, or with the boat afloat. When everything is ready, the bow is pushed off and the boat can be sailed away. When you have learnt the technique of backing the jib, you will find that it helps in turning the bow away from the wind.

Tack towards shore, raising centerboard as necessary and making shallower tacks until crew gets off and holds bow into the wind.

When the time comes to return to the shore, remember the basic principle about letting the sails flap to slow down. If the wind is blowing onto the shore or Onshore, it is also called a Lee Shore and you cannot simply sail straight at the bank. The safest approach is to turn into the wind when still some distance from the beach, drop the mainsail and then come in slowly under jib alone.

With more experience, you can come closer to the shore before rounding up, so that the crew can get out and hold the boat into the wind from the bow.

If the wind is blowing off the shore or Offshore it is also known as a Weather Shore and the technique of approach is completely different The diagram shows how you will have to tack towards the shore, raising the centerboard, as the water becomes shallower.