Hi Barrie,
I am sorry i leave on the East coast so cant give you direct lessons. However, I can give you some ideas. The BayRaider is quite long and behaves more like a small yacht than a dinghy. Firstly, the problem you had with steering is most likely because you did not have the centreboard down. Without the centreboard the bow catches the wind and can make it very difficult to turn. The other thing to help close turning is to use both the tiller and the outboard to turn. The bow is very shallow and so easily blows away. This can happen even when sailing. To tack neatly you can do two things. Firstly, when tacking close hauled, even though there is a self tacking jib it is best to free off the jib as you come through the wind and then sheet in when you are heading in the right direction. If you keep the jib sheeted in as you tack and it catches the wind the bows can easily blow down wind. Secondly, use the mizzen to help tack quickly. If you are close hauled pull the mizzen over a little to windward. This then helps the turning like a fin on an airplane. If you would like to talk over any details problems feel free to ring. 07590647097.
You will soon get it.
Colin