Side lights should be carried well up the rigging, so as to make them visible as far as possible. On launches they should be put on top of the cabin house. Six feet above deck on a small yacht is about the best height. This is high enough to keep them from being washed out.
Stern light:
A lantern should always be kept handy just inside the cuddy doors to be shown for a stern light if a vessel comes up from aft. If a steamer is coming down on you from anywhere astern pull back the companion slide and let the cabin light shine on the sail; they will be sure to see the reflection and know what it is ahead of them.
Water tanks:
Water tanks, no matter how small, should be fitted with splash plates, and plenty of them. Else when half full they will be the worst nuisance possible in a seaway. If the tank is large it should not only have athwartship plates, but plates fore-and-aft. In power boats especially they should be fitted in this way, as such craft are generally bad and persistent rollers.
Water:
Drinking water causes more sickness than all other foods combined, and yachtsmen cannot be too careful where they get their supply. If you are not certain sure of the fluid, boil it before using. Also keep your tanks clean, and don’t put new water in on top of old that has been in the tanks for weeks, or perhaps months. One time I was going on a cruise and ordered the crew to fill the tanks, but cautioned them not to take the supply from a pipe that led to the dock, but to go to the clubhouse for it. When my back was turned they decided that the pipe water was good enough, and filled up with it. Consequently we got a dose of iron rust that laid the whole crowd out for three days with an attack that would have turned Mr. Beacham green with envy. If the water gets riley from shaking up in a seaway you can instantly clear it for drinking by putting in the glass a few drops of lime juice.
Medicine chest:
When off cruising, a yacht should have in her locker some simple remedies. Much suffering has been entailed by neglect of this precaution. A roll of bandage, and some absorbent cotton, some Pond’s Extract, salve, a few pills, and a diarrhæa medicine, are good things to have. I have known of a man being badly burned, and having to suffer for hours before a port could be made, because there was nothing on board to ease the pain.