Sailing

by E. F. Knight

The cabin of a small yacht generally has a bunk on either side, serving as sofas by day and beds by night, with lockers under them, useful for the stowage of such stores as will not be spoiled by water. Two or more cupboards are in the corners, and a table—one that can be folded up when not in use is best—stands in the centre of the floor.

Water is sure to find its way into the cabin sometimes, so every article of furniture must be chosen with a view to its getting wet. A carpet is not suitable for the floor of a small yacht; it is unpleasant when wet, and is difficult to dry. Oilcloth or linoleum is better, but these are cold to the feet. The best material with which to cover the floor is cocoanut matting of a good quality. It is made in every width, so a piece of the breadth of the cabin floor can be procured. Cocoanut matting looks well, is pleasant and warm to walk upon with bare feet, can be washed easily, and dries very quickly.

Horsehair is of course the best material with which to stuff the cushions of the bunks. These are often covered with American cloth, which dries quickly, but is cold and disagreeable, especially if one’s blanket slips off at night and one’s naked foot comes in contact with it. Cretonnes and other cotton stuffs are cold when damp, and are altogether unsuitable for the purpose. After having tried many materials, the author prefers dark blue flannel to any other for cushion covers. The flannel feels warm even when it is wet, and one will not catch cold while sleeping on it.

The panelling of the cabin should be, if possible, of some hard wood, polished. This is much more ornamental than painted wood, and though more costly at the outset, is more economical in the long-run, for in order to keep up a smart appearance paint must often be renewed.

If the cabin be painted, white panelling with a plain gilt moulding round the top looks very well; but white paint gets dirty quickly, and a fresh coat is required very frequently. Possibly the white enamel paints now largely manufactured would answer the purpose better, as they form a very hard coat which can be thoroughly washed without injury.

For cabin lights, spring candlestick lamps, swinging on gimbals, are the best; these can be obtained at any yachting warehouse; they are provided with globes, and with smoke shades to be screwed into the ceiling above to prevent its discoloration. They can be lit in a moment, and are much cleaner to handle than other lamps. But while on a cruise it will often be necessary to have a light burning all night in the cabin, so as to be able to refer to the chart, etc. A paraffin lamp swung over the table will then be more convenient and economical.

The interior of a small yacht’s cabin can be made to look very pretty and snug. The library shelf can be on the forward wall, with the aneroid on one side of it and the clock on the other. On the side walls above the bunks the charts, guns, and fishing-rods can be slung. A rack for glasses and another for pipes can be fitted where most convenient.

As the blankets that serve for the yachtsman’s bedding cannot well be stowed out of sight in a small cabin, it is well to have them as ornamental as possible. Red blankets neatly folded up at one end of the blue flannel bunk cushions give a bright appearance to the cabin. The windows and the skylight should have little blinds—red silk looks very well.

The forecastle of a yacht of the size we are speaking of is rarely large enough to afford sleeping accommodation, unless it be to a small boy. The chain-locker is here, and here too are stowed the spare sails, the mops, brooms, buckets, etc. The cooking-stove should also be in the forecastle. This, in our opinion, should invariably be a spirit stove, on a small craft where little cooking is done. A paraffin stove has an unpleasant smell, even if the wick be kept carefully trimmed, and it is the cause of a great deal of dirt.

Excellent galvanized cooking-stoves for burning methylated spirits are now manufactured. These produce no dirt. It may be of use to mention here that spirits of wine for burning purposes can be procured in every little continental town, and at a cost very far under that of methylated spirits in England.