It is as well to say here that these hints are not intended for men owning and sailing large yachts. Such vessels are too costly to be trusted in the hands of any men except those who are thoroughly competent; and if an owner has not sufficient skill to handle a large yacht it is his business to hire somebody who has. These hints are intended for the small-boat owner and skipper.
HINTS TO YOUNG YACHT SKIPPERS
Buying a Boat:
If you are going to buy a boat, either the first or last one, make up your mind thoroughly as to what kind of a craft you want, and what you want her for. If you want to race, it is one thing; if you want to cruise, another. Combination cruising and racing boats are impossibilities, and are neither one thing or other. If you are going to build, get a good design from some man who knows his business, and have a boat built from it in the best manner possible. A poorly or cheaply-built boat is a losing proposition. If you are going to buy a second-hand craft, and don’t know much about boats, get a man who does to look over any that you think of purchasing. An honest builder is the best man for this. Most men buy a racer for her record, and a cruiser for her cabin. The record of a racing craft is not worth a pinch of salt, unless the boat is in such condition as will enable her to uphold it, and a cabin of a cruiser is of little value unless it is surrounded by a good, seaworthy and handy outside.
Buying a Racer:
Before buying a racer, find out if she is suitable for entering in any of the classes racing in the waters you frequent. Find out what boats are likely to sail against her, what her measurement is under the rule in vogue, and how and by whom she was handled when winning or losing. These are very necessary points, if you hope to helm a winner. Many a fast boat is condemned and sold after the first season, because the man who owned it did not know how to handle her to win. Such a boat can be bought and, if properly managed, be made a winner. Others are sold because they have no earthly chance of getting a prize, no matter how well-sailed. These latter are a very bad investment.
Buying a Cruiser:
If you want a cruising boat, her record is of no consequence, unless it is irretrievably bad. If she has a habit of capsizing, or won’t go to windward, you don’t want her. If she consistently leaks, you don’t want her. If she draws a lot of water for her length, and can’t get into your harbor except at high tide, you don’t want her. If she is in bad repair, or is very old, you don’t want her. If you haven’t sufficient personal knowledge to tell by looking at her how she will handle, ask some man who has sailed her, or who has seen her sail; better ask several, and take a general average of their testimony. Then go and have her thoroughly looked over. If she is hauled out, sound her bottom. Get the owner to let a builder bore her. If the chips come out clean, white and papery, she is sound in plank. Examine the rabbet at stem and stern and all along the keel; pierce that stick, both inside and out. Sound the mast. Go below and look at the heels and heads of the frames. Don’t forget the deck, cockpit floor and staving. An experienced man can tell from the appearance of the unpainted wood whether it is sound or not. Then examine her spars, gear, blocks and sails; last of all, her cabin fittings, etc.