BOAT SAILING 76
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being taken out to the weather gunwale, and consequently under those
conditions it is the more efficient sail of the two. When the wind is
aft, the side opposite to that on which the sheet is earned may be
considered the weather side
For turning to windward I prefer the standing lug. It has an advant-
age over the dipping lug every time the boat goes about as the yard
remains at the masthead all the time, no dipping of the yard and sail
being required. For this reason, time and leeway are saved specially
when beating in narrow waters where frequent tacking is necessary.
Under a standing lug a boat should go from one tack to the other without
losing her way, and would consequently be more weatherly than if
fitted with a dipping lug.
These remarks apply to the conditions under which a ship's boat is
likely to be sailed, when she might be manned largely by firemen, cooks,
or stewards. With an expert crew the difference is not so marked.
13. Are the yard and sail always to leeward of the mast when a boat is
under way?
No. "With a standing lug the yard and sail are to windward of the
mast on one tack, and to leeward on the other.
With a dipping lug they are always carried to leeward, being dipped
round the mast each xtime the boat goes about.
14. Are life-boats required to carry a jib in addition to their lugsail?
Life-boats of 25 feet in length or more are required to carry
a jib. The carrying of a jib by smaller boats is not compulsory.
15. What use can be made of a jib when the wind is aft, also when
"going about"?
When the wind is aft, the clew of the jib may be boomed out on
the opposite side to the lugsail, thereby giving a larger effective sail
area and more way to the boat. It is not necessary in a strong breeze,
but makes all the difference when the wind is light.
The jib halyards being well set up, the lufi rope makes a good
forestay. This may be very useful when the boat is diving into a
head sea.
When going about, the jib sheet is eased off at the same instant that
the helm is put down. If the boat is "slack in stays" and hangs up in
the wind, hauling the jib sheet to windward will help her to pay o5 on
the other tack.