CHAPTER VII
SEAMANSHIP
How to set, reef, and take in sails—Getting under weigh—Full and
bye—Tacking—Running—Jybing—Heaving-to—Balance of sails—Sailing
with wind abeam—In a Pampero—Coming to an anchorage
and picking up moorings—The drogue.
Having described the various portions of the rigging of a small fore-and-aft craft, I will now explain how the principal manœuvres connected with the sailing of the boat are executed. Practice alone will enable the amateur sailor to promptly decide what course of action he should take in any set of conditions that may arise, and to perform the required operations smartly and without hesitation. For that 'he who hesitates is lost' is an adage that has but too often been proved true at sea. The sailor must be able to put his hands upon any rope on board, in a moment, in the darkest night; and to reef, tie, or untie any knot, as well with his eyes shut as open. But the novice must not be discouraged if he make mistakes at first. All novices commit strange blunders when orders are given them to do this or that, as the two following anecdotes will show. It is now several years ago that
