CHAPTER III 



SOME GENERAL NOTES 



Above all, the smaller details of gunning-punt management are 

 of incomparable value and assistance to the wildfowler. Things 

 apparently of no great importance must still be known. What 

 we would endeavour to instil is the importance of being equally 

 acquainted with the minor matters of the subject, as with those 

 of greater importance. Although small matters do not gener- 

 ally stop progress altogether, they often cause much inconveni- 

 ence and loss of time. 



In the general working, the mooring, and the hauling and 

 launching of the punt, every care should be exercised, so that 

 the work is done expediently and well, without injury to, or 

 undue wear upon, the boat. No part in the working of a punt 

 causes greater wear than launching and hauling. She then 

 often has to stand uneven and undue strains. Care should be 

 taken to avoid pulling on the side decks. A careful eye should 

 be kept upon voluntary assistants, and instructions given them 

 how and where to "lay hold " for a pull or shove at the punt. 

 Large double punts are not light articles, and with their flat 

 bottoms often suck the mud very tightly. Always contrive to 

 move a punt forwards and backwards ; sideways as little as 

 possible. The proper places to "lay hold" of a punt for 

 hauling by hand are under the stern, the main deck rafter aft, 

 at the stern of the cockpit, under the gun beam, and the rowing 

 spurs. The cockpit coaming and side decks should never be 

 pulled at. When hauling with blocks, fasten to the shackle, 

 which should be fixed for towing purposes in the stern chock. 



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