224 



MODERN SEA FISHING 



generally be seen coming, by the darkening of the water to 

 windward. Even when the sheet is made fast, as may be done 

 with a certain amount of safety in summer weather away from 

 the high lands, the rope should be secured in such a way that 

 a mere pull will release it, as, for instance, according to one of 

 the methods shown in the accompanying diagram. 



It is not easy to say which kind of rig is best for a small 



fishing boat. On 

 the whole, I am 

 inclined to favour 

 a balance lug with 

 a small foresail and 

 a small mizzen. A 

 mizzen is certainly 

 in the way when 

 whiffing, but in 

 the event of bad 

 weather coming 

 on, or when it is 

 desirable to sail 

 slowly for fishing 

 purposes, it is very 

 convenient to lower 

 the lug, and saU 

 under the mizzen 

 and the small fore- 

 sail only. Spritsails I do not much like, as the sprit has a 

 nasty way of slipping out of position and suddenly plunging 

 through the bottom of the boat. A cutter rig is certainly not 

 suitable for very small boats, for the boom is in the way. The 

 Tenby boats, fitted with a shifting lug, sail closer to the wind 

 than any vessels I ever handled, except a Norfolk wherry ; but 

 the lowering of the big lug when putting about is a great 



TWO METHODS OF MAKING THE SHEET FAST 



