boat. Of course, you can learn this for yourself, but the better way
is to serve an apprenticeship to some more experienced companion.

The first essential to a sail boat is that it should be well made and
properly balanced. The second, that it should be carefully rigged, and
the third that the man in charge should know just how to avail himself
of these advantages.

Sailing before the wind is easy enough. It is in tacking and beating
up against the wind that skill and care are required. Jibing, that is
changing the boom and sail when tacking, requires the greatest care,
particularly if the wind is stiff, and beginners should never be
permitted to attempt it.

Where the water is apt to be rough, the sail of every boat should be
provided with reefing points--that is little ropes. They are on both
sides of the sail. The sail is rolled up from the bottom and tied down
to the boom. This is called "reefing" or "shortening" sail.

At nights small boats and canoes should carry lights, as before
indicated. It is a difficult thing to make a sailor through books. The
best that can be done is to advise what to do, and still more, _what
not to do._

ADVICE

Don't overload the boat.

Don't carry too much sail.