- ing. The sheet is taken round the pin and a bight
is passed under the standing part of the sheet, which jams it so long as there is a strain upon the sheet. A pull upon the fall, which must be kept close to the hand, withdraws the bight and at once releases the sheet.
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Fig. 68.
The halyards also must be so belayed that they can be quickly let go; therefore a half-hitch should not be taken on the top of the turns on the cleat. The halyards should always be properly coiled and capsized, ready to run out without risk of getting foul. If the sheet and halyard falls are lying about untidily in the bottom of the boat they will tie themselves into knots, and when let go will jam in the blocks and comb-cleats or get entangled with the feet of the crew—a frequent cause of capsizing and of loss of life even among good swimmers. Many sailing-boats and canoes appear to me to be supplied with a superfluity of ropes. Rapidity and ease in performing the manœuvres may be gained by this, but the risks of the cordage getting entangled and jamming is much increased. In the eyes of some amateur sailors, to have as much rigging in a twelve-foot dinghy as would be carried on a twelve-ton yacht makes a brave show; but, as a matter of fact, not a single rope that can be dispensed with should be allowed in the open boat.
