YACHTING. 



789 



ballast, as it is called). Advocates of the cen- 

 ter-board and light draught have derisively 

 termed the English model '' a plank on edge," 

 while the English have retorted by calling the 

 American boats unseaworthy " skimming-dish- 

 es." Between these two extreme types, 1 and 

 4 in diagram of midship sections, Fig. 1, are 

 compromise boats, comparatively deep-draught 

 center-boards (3), and comparatively shallow- 

 draught keels (4). 



The controversy between the advocates of 

 the two different types has waxed very bit- 

 ter of late years, and, as usual in such cases, 

 neither side is disposed to make any conces- 

 sions. Without taking sides in the contro- 

 versy, we may state some of the advantages 

 and disadvantages of the two extreme types. 

 Among the advantages of wide, shallow boats, 

 is their comparatively small first cost. Their 

 initial stability under sail is far greater; hence 

 life on board is more comfortable to such as 

 prefer a reasonably level deck to one inclined 

 at a steep angle. The light draught of such a 

 boat enables her to make harbor easily, or run 

 in close to the beach when no harbor is con- 

 venient. When "close-hauled," her center- 

 board enables her to go very close to the wind, 

 and when running free it can be entirely 

 " housed," thereby insuring considerably great- 



center-board trunk is sadly in the way in the 

 cabin. Such boats, unless very strongly built, 

 which of course adds to their first cost, are not 

 long-lived, and are sure to entail a heavy an- 

 nual outlay for repairs. 



The disadvantages of the deep, narrow boat 

 are in general the opposites of those specified 

 in the case of her light-draught cousin. Her an- 

 gle of inclination in a moderate wind renders 

 her uncomfortable to live and move in. Her 

 great draught limits her to comparatively deep 

 harbors, and it' it is desired to land without 

 making port she must often come to anchor 

 far off shore. In Leavy weather she dives into 

 the sea like a log, while the down ward momen- 

 tum of her heavy lead keel tends to overcome 

 the scant buoyancy of her fore-section, so that 

 the forward decks are constantly awash. The 

 cabin is necessarily narrow, as is also the sky- 

 light, in all save the largest boats. Lastly, 

 their first cost is great, owing to the heavy 

 framing and rigging necessary to meet the 

 severe strain to which everything is constantly 

 subjected. Their advantages are unquestiona- 

 ble seaworthiness and consequent safety. The 

 absence of a deck-house renders it possible to 

 shut everything up tight in case of need, so 

 that water can not possibly find its way below. 

 Stability increases with the angle of inclina- 



er speed. When proper- 

 ly rigged and well ban- 

 died, such boats have 

 no superiors for speed 

 in smooth water. Their 

 main disadvantage is 

 their unseaworthiness. 

 If struck by a heavy 

 squall, or carelessly han- 

 dled, they are likely to capsize, and 

 when once over can not be righted, 

 and must inevitably sink if they car- 

 ry a reasonable amount of ballast. 

 In order to provide head-room in 

 the cabin, it is necessary, in boats 

 less than fifty feet long, to have a 

 deck-house, which interferes serious- 

 ly, with ship-shape appearance, and 

 with convenience in moving about on deck, 

 where most of the yachtsman's waking hours 

 are spent; moreover, the large area exposed 

 to the sun renders the cabin very warm. The 



tion, and practically 

 becomes constant at 

 30. Such a boat, even 

 if driven over with 

 her sails in the water, 

 is righted by her lead 

 keel the instant the 

 wind slackens. The 

 deep boat is fast in 

 very light winds, and, while rela- 

 tively slower in a moderate breeze, 

 becomes fast again when it freshens 

 to half a gale. She steers and stays 

 easily, is ordinarily dry abaft the 

 beam, and can carry sail to any rea- 

 sonable extent. The absence of all 

 FIG 1. conspicuous deck-houses gives her a 



ship-shape look inboard, and leaves 

 ample room for working ship and getting about 

 generally. The overhang stern extends this 

 deck-room, and, it is claimed, helps her when 

 running before the sea. Below decks the cab- 



