When paddling its like driving a forklift. When you drive forward and turn steering right, the wheels turn left and the forklift rotates around the front axle turning right. If you put it in reverse, the steering "reverses" too.

Now for forklift the front axle is firmly connected to the ground and cant slip left/right, which is different to a ship. On a ship to have similar effect you need speed (so that the hull can push against incoming water).

In case when you are stationary, when paddling to the side it ends up rotating around its center of mass AND just floating lineraly in the direction you are paddling. Together it ends up looking like the boat turns around its bow.

When paddling you need to pick whether you want to turn in place, or speed up. The faster you go the more help you get from "incoming" water stream. So often its better to accelerate first then turn.


Also sails, the moment you drop sails you stop paddling. In simplest terms its like your forklift suddenly became front wheel drive. No speed = no turning. Trying to steer without enough speed is only gonna make things worse.


Lastly different boats have different hull shapes which can push against the water good or bad. Raft sucks and is slow because of its flat bottom and poor ability to push against the water sideways. It is pretty realistic system, althout IMHO Longship could be improved.