FO WLING-P UNTS. 447 



the floor, just beyond the gunstock, that comes up 

 through, and level with, the ceiling boards. This 

 rope will easily secure the gun from running 

 too far forward after firing, and does not hinder 

 a flying shot as would one placed athwart-ships. 

 To hinge up and hook together fore washboards 

 in a sea not bad enough to take the gun inboard, 

 run the barrel a few inches out towards the bow ; 

 this will slacken the breeching. The stock can 

 then be strapped down to a ring on the floor or a 

 stick put over it, the ends of the latter propped 

 under the coaming on either side. Now hook the 

 boards together and lead the ropes over them. 

 Should the gun be brought inboard, the back recoil- 

 rope can be fastened to the eyes of the breeching, 

 and its other end to the floor ring-bolt. In this 

 position the breeching will always be kept its 

 proper length when not in use. The portions of 

 a punt's coaming that hinge down for the fowler's 

 arms to go through when sculling, paddling, or 

 using the set-pole, should be made to hinge inside 

 the cockpit, or lift out bodily. I have shown them 

 in the plans falling outwards in order that their 

 position may be clear. But if they hinge down 

 the other way, that is inside, they are far less in 

 the way of the arm, and much more convenient 

 as well. When a single-handed over each side- 

 paddled punt is long and narrow, she will be very 

 apt to run off her course, should the wind be hard 

 abeam, when setting to fowl. To obviate this, 

 place a little upright copper pin 2-|in. high and 

 fin. diameter on the extreme edge of her gunwale, 

 either side in a line with the rowing spur. Nail 



