SMALL BOAT CRUISING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20074, 11 October 1928, Page 18

SMALL BOAT CRUISING.

HINTS FOR THE NOVICE. PREPARING CANVAS AWNINGS. by sriNßiuar. It is sometimes supposed that small Itipen and half-decked boats are suitable fnly for day cruising and that for more oxtended work a cabin boat is essential. However, while (ho comfort and convenience of having a. cabin cannot bo flcnied, it is yet quite possible to cruiso for considerable periods without minecesfarily "roughing it" in an open or halfRecked boat. Wliero a boat is inUmded for sleeping, fc fixed keel is in, some respects jnore convenient than a |ioat with a centreboard, as the case of the latter divides the already limited aoaoraniodation into two parts.. Tlio drop keel, however, possesses many advantages to set off against this, and while some owners will choose Ilio roominess of a fixed keel yacht, others will prefer to put up with the nb Hruction of a plate and centrecase because t>i its convenience when actually cruising.

When an open and a Jialf decked boat is used for cruising a really good waterproof awning should always be carried. JSome hardy yachtsmen are known to tpend the night with no more shelter than is afforded by spreading the mainsail over tho boom. However, such an arrangement is never very satisfactory, .'Hid tho penetration of draughts, to say jiothing of water, shouHl it rain, is apt 1o make conditions too bracing for the average taste. How to Makfl Awnings. Awnings are best made of waterproof canvas, but where expenas is a consideration here is a cheaper method: —Make up <he awning from a good quality unbleached calico. Then preparo a mixture consisting of two parts cf copal yacht varnish and one part o| paraffin. Mix the ingredients very thoroughly and then Jay out the awning on a, flat surface and apply a thin, even c<J>a.t of tho mixture >vith a large paint brash. Allow three ur four days for it to bocomo quite dry, und then give it a second coat. Iu a few tlays it will be ready for use. An awning made in Jthis way will bo found absolutely waterproof. It will be reasonably supple and , will possess the ndvantagp over ordinary waterproof canvas of admitting more light With care it will last for four or five seasons, and should it develop leaks these can easily bo cured by a fresh coat of the varnish mid paraffin mixture, incidentally, very serviceable oilskin coats can bo made in a similar manner

Blankets and rugs should be stored in n tin-trunk ' Some vua'htsmen nso sleep-ing-bags, which are :more comfortable than blankets, but thijy cost moro and take up more room, liOnco they are not as popular as blankets.

In setting out on a cruise the great thing at which to aiim is to arrange cto's passage so as to have the benefit of a fair tide. Remember that tides aire a certain fotve and that their incidence can be accurately ascertained beforehand. lCarly cruises in small boats should be planned in sheltered 'waters, as fur as possible. Many successful cruises up t'ho coast have been made i« cpiite small boats, lmt they ca.l for exjpert handling and skill such as the begininer cannot hope to possess at the outset. Then again, the limitations ot the boat must bo borne in mind md the fact thj,;it a large craft is making a passage in hfavy weather should jiot tempt the novice in his smaller boat to attempt tho same float. Hules of ffoe Koad. Tho Rules of the 13'.oad for preventing collisions at sea sh<fu:lcl be thoroughly understood by tho skippers and owners of small as well a.s larjje boats and, notwithstanding all tha rules with regard to power clearing svtil, it is best in narrow waters to keep clear of the course of steamers, even to the extent of losing some of the favour of the current. In anchoring for tho night tho spot where it is intended to round up should be sheltered asi far as possible from the wind, well in out of the tide, 3nd, of course, clear of otiher craft. After a long sail, especially in heavy weather, the average yachtsman looks forward to having a goad night's rest. But how often is that pleasure not forthcoming through not leaning everything shipshape before "turning - in." ITavinp stowed the snils t both the main and jib halliards and tho topping lift should be secured by a few turns of one of them round tho others ivnd the mast. This iWill prevent them Ji - om disturbing one's sleep by tapping dur.ing the night. This tapping against tho rrnast, too, wears out Iho rope, so tho halliards should ahvavs bo left "flapped" op pulled out from tho mast toward the shjrouds bv small pieces of lino tied to the halliards and to the shrouds. Tt is witc to tak<* a look round before going to bed to rriiiko sure the anchor is holding and thai nothing is likely to fall overboard or cOmo adrift if the wind rises or tho bop.t Should roll. A ridinglight should always, bo carried and made fast to one of tho shrouds nfter nightfall.