In this rig the sail is laced to a yard which slides up or down the mast by means of two iron hooks or travellers ([Fig. 163]). No sail with a narrow-pointed top is very serviceable before the wind, and the sliding gunter is no exception to the rule. But it is useful on the wind, and can be reefed easily and quickly, qualities which make it many friends.
In the smooth, shallow waters along the coast of North Carolina may be seen the long, flat-bottomed
Sharpies
Without question they are to be ranked among the fastest boats we have. These boats are rigged with a modification of the leg-of-mutton sail. The ends of the sprit in the foresail project at the luff and leach. At the luff it is fastened to the mast by a line like a snotter at the leach. It is fastened to a stick sewed into the sail, called a club. The sheet is attached to the end of the sprit (Figs. 164-168).
Fig. 174.—Sprit sail jib and dandy.
The Sprit Leg-of-Mutton Sail
has this advantage, that the clew of the sail is much higher than the tack, thus avoiding the danger of dipping the clew in the water and tripping the boat.