How about the boat crossing the river, for those that prefer to communicate in grunts.
Turn 180 degrees. Downstream. Rate one.Turn takes up lots of room as getting washed downstream.
Turn 180 degrees. Upstream. Rate one. Turn takes up less room as getting washed downstream.
Boat speed and rate of turn relative to water is constant.
Boat speed relative to bank varies due current.
Closest I can get to using monosyllables.