There is considerable discrepancy of opinion as to what constitutes the difference between a sloop and a cutter. At any rate, the generally understood distinction among boating men in England is, rightly or wrongly, that whereas a sloop’s forestay is carried to the end of a fixed bowsprit or an iron bumpkin, the forestay of a cutter is carried to the stem of the vessel; and thus the sloop can only set one large foresail, instead of a foresail and a jib as a cutter does.
We will adopt this definition of a sloop, which is represented in [Fig. 32]. As the rig is in every other respect the same as that of a cutter, we will reserve an explanation of its different parts till the next chapter, wherein the cutter rig will be discussed.
Fig. 32.
The sloop rig is not one to be altogether recommended, except for racing purposes on a river. For cruising purposes, if the boat be a small one, one of the rigs above mentioned is preferable to the sloop rig. If the boat be a good-sized one, it is better to make a cutter or yawl yacht of her at once; for a sloop’s big foresail is an awkward sail to handle in rough weather.
The following important rules apply to the sailing of open boats, such as we have described in this chapter:—
Carefully coil your halyards after hoisting sail, so that they will not get entangled and jam if you have to let go in a hurry.
See that your mainsheet is coiled out of every one’s way. Many a boat has been capsized owing to a man’s leg getting entangled in a sheet.
Do not belay your mainsheet, but hold it in your hand; if the strain be great, take one turn with the sheet round a cleat or pin.