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/95

 *points, extending from the throat of the sail to the clew.

In order to take in the balance-reef, the jaws of the gaff were lowered to the boom and there made fast. The reef-points were tied round the boom. When the reef was down, the peak was hoisted till the gaff lay along the mast. This left a snug triangular sail, under which the boat would turn to windward in a gale of wind, and, relieved of her top hamper, would run with safety, steering easily, before the heaviest squall.

The (Fig. 48) is the favourite rig of the Bermudas. A boat thus rigged has a very short mast. The sail is of triangular shape, and the upper portion of its luff is laced to a long yard. This yard (see Fig. 49) slides up and down