Practical Boat-Sailing Part 1

Practical Boat-Sailing.

by Douglas Frazar.

PREFACE.

This little work is not written to teach any thing new to those who know how to sail boats well and safely, but only for the purpose of enabling any person, after a perusal of its pages, to feel confident of handling a boat so as to be _perfectly safe_, and to have some knowledge of the rules which should govern its movements under all conditions that might naturally arise. This sport is far less dangerous than is supposed; and it may even be a.s.serted that no kind of amus.e.m.e.nt is safer during the summer months in these lat.i.tudes,--many not as safe. Some one has truly said "that the boat is always under the perfect control, and subject to the will, of its master; whilst in driving, for instance, one is dependent for life and limb upon the forbearance, good-temper, and training of a brute whose strength is greater than one's own, and whose over-vaunted intelligence is often exceeded by his obstinacy."

It is simply wonderful what stress of wind and sea a small boat will sustain _with perfect safety_ when properly managed.

It is hoped that the following pages will be sufficient to post all tyros in the _technique_ of the science, and enable them to execute all the manoeuvres that are needful, and to know the names and uses of all the important ropes, sails, &c.; _so that they will not have to ask anybody any questions_, and be able to "paddle their own canoe."

If the author has succeeded in making himself understood, so that the student will feel competent to take charge of his own boat or yacht with confidence, he will be amply repaid.

There is no doubt but what there may be a difference of opinion amongst yachtsmen and boatmen as to the best manner of executing many sea-evolutions. The author has chosen those which have stood the test of time, and are comparatively simple, and easy of execution, fitted for small craft, and perfectly safe.

Several useful hints have been gathered by an inspection of Bowditch's "Epitome" and Brady's "Kedge-Anchor."

MOTHER GOOSE (_slightly altered_).

"Three wise men of Gotham Went to sea in a bowl: If their wits had been stronger, My song had been longer."

CHAPTER I.

THE MODEL, RIG, AND NAMES OF THE SAILS AND ROPES IN COMMON USE.

It would be beyond the province or scope of this work to enumerate all the different models and peculiarities of the numerous crafts and rigs that are used to navigate the waters, both in civilized and uncivilized countries; and we must content ourselves by taking into consideration a few of the most p.r.o.nounced types that are now in vogue, and explaining their principles as briefly as possible.

Local prejudices rule strong in all parts of the world; and the rig, size, and model of a boat, are almost always defined by the "custom" of the waters in which it is to be sailed: still it is perhaps well to give a few general rules for the selection of a boat. For bays, sounds, harbors, and inland tidal waters connected with the sea, the boat or small yacht should be of a shoal model, and what is termed the centre-board principle, and usually the sloop or cat-boat rig.

For ponds, and small lakes of fresh water, the boat should always be of good beam, light draught, and small sail, on account of the frequency of puffs of winds from unexpected quarters from the neighboring hillsides.

In fact, if there is any danger in sailing, it is upon these land-locked ponds or lakes, where more seamanship is often needed than on the larger bays and sounds of the ocean itself.

For outside work, or in places where the tidal currents are strong, or the wind may sweep across the water for miles, "kicking up a sea," the deep keel model, with schooner or cutter rig, will be the better boat; this cla.s.s being considered superior in working to windward in a heavy sea to the shoaler craft. But, even on this question, there are disagreements; and you shall hear of those who maintain that the shoal-water centre-board craft is the better boat in a heavy sea-way; and some lovers of a craft called a "sharpie" tell startling tales of its endurance in heavy weather, although it is the shoalest of all shoal boats. The advantage of the centre-board boat over the keel boat for harbor and sound sailing, or wherever the tide rises and falls to any great extent, is obvious. With the latter, one is liable to be brought up upon an unknown sand-bank or ledge, and compelled to remain, sometimes for hours, till floated off; whilst with the centre-board, upon touching any danger or shoal, the board is hauled up, and the boat that a moment before drew, perhaps, six feet of water, now draws but one foot, allowing one to "go about," or steer to one side, and avoid the obstacle, and get home in time for supper. In short, in the opinion of the writer, it is only for outside use, and for a larger cla.s.s of vessels than this book will treat of, that the keel boat is needed.

To avoid repet.i.tion, and to condense as much as possible, so as to be useful to all for practicable purposes, what is termed the _sloop-rig_--one quite as frequently used as any other for small boats--is presented in the accompanying diagram. This will be described as briefly as possible consistent with a thorough explanation of the sails, ropes, &c., and their different names and uses; it being, of course, understood that the management of a sloop in a seamanlike manner carries with it the knowledge of managing a yacht of any rig, the principle applying equally to all; and to describe the "staying", "wearing", and absolute management of each sail and rope of each separate rig, would be unnecessary, and extend this little work to a greater length than is desirable. The best that can be done is to take a type, and, having made that familiar, the whole science of boat-sailing will have been acquired.

The sloop-rig consists of the following-named spars:--

The _mainmast_ (c c), which is usually placed at about two-thirds of the boat's length from the stern. This spar serves to sustain the _mainsail_(1) by a series of hoops which encircle it.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

The _main topmast_ (d d), which is fitted to the head of the _mainmast_, and terminates at its upper end in a small ball, called the _truck_, through the sides of which are fitted little _sheaves_ (i.e., wheels), by means of which, and the use of a small-sized rope, called _signal-halliards_, the flag, or private signal of the boat, is hoisted to the _topmast's_ head, and displayed.

This spar also serves to sustain the _gaff-topsail_ (3), which is hoisted and lowered along its length by a series of hoops encircling the spar. This sail, as a rule, is set and furled from the _top_.

The _bowsprit_ (h), which projects from the bow of the boat, and serves to support the _mainmast_ by means of a stay (g g) leading from its outer end to the _mainmast_ head, and another stay, called the _bobstay_ (f), to the prow of the boat. The _jib-stay_ (g g) serves to hoist and set the _jib_ (2) upon,--the most important sail, after the mainsail.

The _jib-boom_ (i), which extends out beyond the _bowsprit_, its heel being made fast to the latter, and, by means of stays, supports the _mainmast_ and _main-topmast_; and upon the inner one of these is hoisted and set the outer or _flying jib_ (4), the other (k) supporting the _main-topmast_, and called the _main-topmast stay_.

The _main-gaff_ (e e), which sustains and stretches the _head_ of the _mainsail_, which is securely lashed to it by means of small seizings, or lashings.

The _main-boom_ (b b), which receives and stretches the _foot_ of the mainsail, to which it is securely lashed.

The above const.i.tute the main spars and sails of a boat of the sloop rig.

To enable one to understand all that follows, it will be necessary to acquire a little more information concerning these spars and sails, and the names and uses of the princ.i.p.al ropes, sheets, &c.

As the reader faces the cut, and glances at the _mainsail_ (1), he should remember that the _head_ of the sail is that part fastened to the _gaff_; and the _foot_, that part of the sail fastened to the _boom_.

The _outer-leach_, or _after-leach_, that part of the sail which extends from the end of the _gaff_ to the end of the _boom_ farthest removed from the mainmast. The _inner-leach_, or _luff_, is that part of the sail which extends from the _gaff_ to the _boom_, and is confined to the _mainmast_ by hoops that embrace it, and allow of the sail being hoisted and lowered at will.

The _clews_ of a sail are those parts which a "land-lubber" might call corners; i.e., the clews of the mainsail are four, and are situated at the junction of the _luff_ and _head_ of the sail, the _outer-leach_ and head of the sail, the _outer-leach_ and foot of the sail, and the _luff_ and _foot_ of the sail; the latter being also called the _tack_.

The mainsail, as will be observed, has also a series of regular lines crossing its surface. These are called _reef-points_, and consist of short, dangling pieces of small rope, sewed into the sail, and hanging down on either side, long enough, when the sail is lowered, to be fastened around the main-boom, and thus tie down the sail, making it smaller for rough weather, which is called "reefing." On the _outer-leach_, at the end of these rows of _reef-points_, are placed little iron rings, or _cringles_, as they are called, which are used to pa.s.s a rope through, called a _reef-pennant_, to haul the sail well out on to the boom when being reefed. The rope (a a) represents what is called the _topping-lift_, and is used to lower or hoist the _main-boom_, so as to make the sail set well in certain circ.u.mstances; or when the _main-boom_ is out over the water on one side of the boat, when running before the wind, to "_top it up_" so as to keep it out of the water when the boat rolls. It is set up by means of a small pulley, the end of the rope coming inboard through a sheave in the boom, or one fastened to its side.

The _jib_ has its _luff_, _head_, _foot_, and _after-leach_, the same as the _mainsail_, but, of course, has only _three clews_, being a triangular sail.

And what is defined about these sails will apply to all fore-and-aft sails.

The most important ropes, to which the attention of the reader is called, are the following:--

The _main-sheet_ (l) is a long rope fastened to the main-boom, and controlling the action of the mainsail. According to the size of the boat, this sheet will be single, or rove through a series of blocks, to enable the helmsman to handle the sail. Upon the management of this sheet depends, in a great measure, the safety of all boat-sailing. Its perfect handling and adjustment call for the nicest skill; for its slightest movement changes the whole face of the canvas spread in the mainsail.

The _jib-sheets_ (m) are fastened to the after_-clew_ of the jib at the foot of the sail, and are led aft on both sides of the deck, so as to be within reach of the helmsman, or those sitting in the after-part of the boat. Like the _main-sheet_, they are used to confine and trim down the _jib_, each being used on the side on which it is desired to trim down the sail.

The _outer-jib_ is controlled in the same manner, by two sheets, one being led aft on either side of the deck.

The _mainsail_ is hoisted by means of two sets of ropes, called _throat_ and _peak-halliards_ (n).

These are fastened at the foot of the mast to _cleats_ when the sail is hoisted; the throat-halliards, usually on the port side of the mast, and the peak-halliards, on the starboard side of the mast.

N.B.--The term _starboard_ is applied to any thing appertaining to the right-hand side of a boat, with the observer looking towards the bow.

The term _port_ (formerly, and sometimes now, called _larboard_) is applied to any thing appertaining to the left-hand side, and, thus once defined, never changes.

Although the observer may go forward and look aft, the starboard side is still the starboard side, although now on his left hand. Hence sailors talk of the _starboard_ anchor, the _port_ shrouds; "Ease off the _port_ jib-sheet!" "Let go the _starboard_ flying-jib-sheet!" "Put your helm over to _port_!" "Hoist those colors from the _starboard_ side!" "Let the boom go over to _port_!" "Get up that anchor which you will find below in the forecastle, on the _starboard side_!" "Go about on the _port_ tack!" &c.

The _jib_ (2) is hoisted by means of a rope, which is called the _jib-halliards_, which is made fast to the upper clew of the sail, and led through a block at the _mainmast_ head, and thence to the deck, being "belayed" (i.e., made fast) to the mainmast near the deck. This sail also has a small but useful rope attached to it, called the _down-haul_, which is fastened to the upper clew, and led down to a small block at the bowsprit end, and thence in on deck; and serves to haul the sail down after the halliards have been cast off. The _flying-jib_ (4) is fitted with _halliards_ and _down-haul_ in the same manner.

The _gaff-topsail_ (3) is set by hauling out the _after-leach_ and _foot_ to the end of the _main-gaff_, which part of the gaff is called the _peak_, by means of a rope, which is named the _gaff topsail-sheet_, which reefs through a sheave in the _gaff_ end, and hence under the _gaff_ to the throat, and thence through a block to the deck. The other _clew_, formed by the _luff_ and foot, is stretched by means of a rope leading to the deck, called the _tack_; and the sail is hoisted by means of _halliards_, that reeve through a block fastened at the _topmast_ head, and thence leading to the deck.

When the boat is under way, and pressed over by the wind, the terms "starboard" and "port" are often exchanged for "leeward" and "windward," and, in fact, are the more commonly used in many instances; although an old sailor would apply the word "starboard" to certain things that he would not apply the word "leeward" or "windward" to: but these exceptions it would be hard to point out, and they would be of little material use. Let it suffice to say, that as a rule, when a boat is at anchor or upright, the terms "starboard" and "port" are used; whilst, when under way, the terms "lee" or "leeward," "weather" or "windward," are more commonly used; for instance, "Let go the weather jib-sheet!" "Haul aft the lee flying jib-sheet!" "Haul that coil of rope over to the weather-side (or to windward)!" "Throw that hot water to leeward!" "Does she carry a weather-helm?" &c.