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/255

 and I insisted on keeping to the open sea. We close-reefed our little vessel, and, facing the gale, put her at it, got a good offing by sailing for some distance on the tack which took her best away from the land, and then hove her to. She rode the gale out beautifully, and next morning my friend had to confess that mine had been the most prudent plan after all. But safer still is it, when cruising with a small craft, to do as I have already recommended, that is, to so watch the weather forecasts and the glass, that one never allows oneself to be surprised by a strong gale when at a long distance from a secure harbour.