CHAPTER X
WHAT NOT TO DO
In learning to sail a boat or when handling a boat after you have learned to sail, there are certain things you should do and many other things you should not do and of these the latter are perhaps the most important.
In the first place don’t try to learn to sail by using several different boats. Every boat has its peculiarities. If you use one boat on one day and another the next you will be confused and will be unable to make rapid progress, for one craft will sail to best advantage with the sails trimmed in one way and the very next boat you use may require very different treatment. One boat will sail closer to the wind than another, one will luff more quickly than another and one will come about readily every time, while the next may miss stays under the same conditions. Still other boats require special arrangements of ballast, a certain amount of centerboard or a definite trim in order to behave well and you must learn every whim and caprice of your craft to become expert in handling her.
Don’t try to learn to sail in a large boat or one with many sails or complicated rigging. Begin with a small craft with a single sail of the simplest pattern. When you are thoroughly familiar with this you can attempt handling larger boats with head-sails.
Don’t take your first lessons in a strong wind, in rough weather, or when there are signs of thunder storms, squalls or fogs. Select the very best weather for you’ll have plenty to attend to without looking after the elements.
Above all, don’t be afraid to be afraid. Many a man is considered brave merely because he doesn’t know enough to be afraid, but real bravery consists in realizing danger, being afraid of it and yet facing it calmly, deliberately and with intelligence.
Don’t be afraid of the opinions of others, if you think you should shorten sail reef at once, even if everyone else is carrying full sail and people laugh at your caution.
Don’t be afraid to fear squalls, fogs, gales or heavy seas for they are all treacherous and the more you fear them the more likely you’ll be to safeguard yourself, your passengers and your boat.
Don’t be afraid to refuse to go sailing if you think a squall, storm, or fog is coming up, or if you think the weather too bad. It’s better to be scoffed at and called a coward than to be shipwrecked or drowned. A live coward’s better than a dead bravado any day.
Don’t be afraid to assert your authority. The captain of any craft is supreme aboard his boat and there should be no questioning of his orders or decisions.
Don’t take anyone with you who is nervous, cranky, hysterical, overbearing, grouchy or a “know it all.” Such people spoil all the pleasure of a sail, they are a nuisance and in times of danger they often become a real menace to others. If they know more than you do, or think they do, they should be handling their own boats, not going as passengers in yours.
Don’t take anyone with you as a passenger until you are competent to handle your craft under any and all conditions. You have no right to imperil the lives of others.
Don’t take out a party unless there are life-preservers enough for all. Accidents happen to the best of sailors.
Don’t try to sail or handle a boat until you know how to swim.
Don’t set out on a sail without oars, compass, water, anchor and at least one life-preserver on board.
Don’t jump, run, wrestle or skylark in a sailboat.
Don’t allow anyone to sit upon a rope or line which may be used at any moment.
Don’t permit passengers to sit or stand on the bow or bowsprit unless for the express purpose of keeping a lookout.
Don’t tie or make the mainsheet fast. Hold it in your hand with a single turn about a cleat, so it can be released instantly.
Don’t try to show off by carrying all sail in a blow or in squalls. Reef before it’s too late. It’s easier to shake out a reef than to put one in.
Don’t sail across or close to the wake of steamers to “get” their waves. It may result in the boat capsizing and only shows you are a landlubber and a fool.
Don’t start out in the face of a storm, gale or squall. Wait until you are sure of what is going to happen and then reef close if you must go forth in a blow.
Don’t forget that you cannot judge the force of the wind or the size of waves from the shore.
Don’t brag about “liking to sail in storms.” Real sailors cannot have weather too fair.
Don’t sail in fogs unless you have a compass and are sure of your course.
Don’t try to sail too close to reefs, to other vessels or any other obstructions; something may fail at the last moment and a collision or wreck may result.
Don’t forget that when sailing close to land sudden puffs or squalls are more frequent than in open water.
Don’t forget that another vessel, a rock, or the shore cuts off the wind and may cause you to lose headway and then when beyond the object the wind will strike you suddenly and perhaps with dangerous force.
Don’t fail to keep everything shipshape and orderly about the boat. A snarled or kinked line is a menace to life and limb.
Don’t sail with water in the boat. Water is so much shifting ballast and is dangerous, besides being unpleasant and unnecessary. Bail the water out and keep it out.
Don’t try to save a few cents by using old, rotten, or frayed ropes. New rope is cheaper than human lives.
Don’t use a leaky boat. If a boat leaks a little in smooth water it may leak fast enough to sink when in a seaway.
Don’t sail at night without lights. You are endangering yourself and other sailors as well.
Don’t assume that the “other fellow” knows how to sail and is familiar “with the rules of the road.” He may be more ignorant than yourself.
Don’t wait too long before turning aside for another boat. Shift your helm to show your intentions.
Don’t try to sail too close to the wind. You’ll reach your destination more quickly by sailing a few points off and thus traveling faster.
Don’t run dead before the wind if it can be avoided, especially in a seaway.
Don’t sit on the lee side when sailing on the wind.
Don’t climb up on the masts or into the rigging unless it is necessary. A man’s weight at the top of a mast may cause the boat to capsize.
Don’t lash or tie the helm under any circumstances.
Don’t leave a lowered sail unfurled. It ruins the sail and is dangerous.
Don’t try to run to a mooring or a landing before the wind when under sail. Lower the sail and run in under bare poles or row in.
Don’t fail to take the advice and suggestions of more experienced boatmen.
Don’t take others sailing until you are thoroughly familiar with the boat and know how to handle it under all conditions.
Don’t anchor or moor a boat where she will rest on a hard, rocky or uneven bottom at low water.
Don’t overload your boat.
Don’t sail in strange waters without a chart or a pilot.
Don’t lose your head or get “rattled.” Keep cool and use your brains and common sense.
Don’t fail to keep your gaze to windward. Seas and wind puffs come from that side.
Don’t neglect the boat or allow your attention to be distracted by your companions.
Don’t attempt to tack or go about with a large wave rolling on your weather bow. Wait for a smooth, or when on the summit of a long, easy roller.
Don’t jibe if it can be helped. It’s just as easy and far safer to wear ship.
Don’t luff a boat sufficiently to stop her headway. Keep steerage-way at all times.
Don’t try to cross another boat’s bows if she is under way.
Don’t get frightened if the boat upsets. Crawl up on the bottom over the weather side. A capsized boat will support a number of people in perfect safety.
Don’t take to the water if there is any floating object to cling to. Even an oar will support a person.
Don’t let go of the helm and run about.
Don’t let sails, ropes or garments trail in the water.
Don’t forget that a loaded or heavy boat has more momentum or headway than a light or empty boat.
Don’t trust a squall which you cannot see through.
Don’t use a brand new rope for any part of the running rigging. Stretch it and work it through tackles or over a beam before reeving it through the blocks of your boat.
Don’t sail in a beam wind and sea if it can possibly be avoided.
Don’t forget that if you are obliged to ride out a gale that oars, cushions, thwarts and spare canvas lashed together and attached to a line over the bow will hold the craft to the wind and seas and will also form a “smooth” for the boat.
Don’t under any circumstances allow liquor aboard your boat. If your friends must drink spirits let them stay ashore to indulge themselves. They have no place in a boat.