Page:Small-boat sailing; an explanation of the management of small yachts, half-decked and open sailing-boats of various rigs; sailing on sea and on river; cruising, etc (IA smallboatsailing01knig).pdf/177

 of the water, and renders her less likely to be knocked off her course by a wave.

Though battens should be fastened to the floor of an open boat to prevent the ballast from slipping to leeward in a squall, the ballast, unless it consists of water-tanks, should not be so secured that it cannot fall overboard if the boat capsizes. The boat relieved of her ballast will float instead of sinking, and can be recovered; moreover, the crew are enabled to cling to her until succour arrives. But even if the ballast be not secured, it will often remain in the swamped boat and drag her down. It is for this reason that water—as has been explained in Chapter —is the only form of ballast for an open boat that will render her absolutely unsinkable.

Whereas in smooth water, a yacht, if not over-*canvassed, can keep steadily on her course regardless of the squalls, save that she leans gracefully to them and increases her speed, the open boat has frequently to be luffed up into the stronger puffs, or her sheets have to be eased off. If the boat have but a single sail, ease off the sheet smartly when luffing to a heavy squall. If she carry a foresail, ease off the foresheet first, and ease off the mainsheet only if the squall be of exceptional violence. With a main and mizzen-rigged boat the mizzen-sheet, as a rule, should not be let go in a squall. With a wind of given strength much less canvas should be carried in rough