Running gear:
The ends of all halyards, sheets and lifts should be made fast, if you are going to sail at night, or in rough weather, as they are liable to get adrift and cause a lot of trouble before being recovered. Frequently, when letting the sail run in a hurry, the halyards will bunch and go aloft; if the end is fast you can easily recover them. The readiest way to make the end fast is to open the strands and pass the pin or cleat through the rope.