G UERNSE V SPRITSAIL-BOA 7. 



255 



mainsail closely, which has still too much power for your pur- 

 pose. In squally weather it is sometimes requisite to take in 

 the mainsail altogether, when your boat is still under command 

 if rigged with a mizen, whereas without it you would drive con- 

 siderably from your course, or perhaps be compelled to anchor. 

 I therefore think that the small amount of additional spars and 

 gear involved in its use, is more than compensated by the ac- 

 companying advantages. 



These observations on mizens are equally applicable to both 

 the sprit and other rigs. (See the cuts.) 



FIG. 80. Guernsey Spritsail-Boat. 



Guernsey Spritsail-Boat (fig. 80). This is a very useful rig 

 up to a certain size, beyond which the sprits become heavy and 

 troublesome. The dimension of a useful boat of this class are 

 1 2 ft. keel, 6 ft. 5 in. beam, 1 7 ft. 3 in. over all, draught of water 

 2 ft. 10 in. The foremast being stepped well forward, one 

 triangular sail alone is required. She is represented under full 

 sail, but is easily handled also when the canvas is reduced as 

 follows : first, without the mizen, in this case a 'Mudian cut or 

 shoulder of mutton sail ; secondly, with a smaller jib and one- 

 reefed mainsail ; thirdly, with the same jib, two-reefed mainsail, 

 and one-reefed foresail ; fourthly, with three-reefed mainsail 

 and two-reefed foresail ; fifthly, with two-reefed foresail, no 

 mainsail, and the mizen and small jib (very handy for Mackerel- 

 fishing or railing in a fresh breeze, when, if considered desirable 



