BEFORE THE WIND UNDER SPINNAKER.
The crew ought to be able to rig and to have all the spinnaker gear ready in five minutes; thus in ordinary weather about that time should be allowed for getting the boom out and spinnaker halyards and outhaul bent, and shifting backstay aft, before bearing up round a mark. If it is to be a dead run, take care that the boom is on the right side, so that the vessel can be run for the next mark without gybing; allow for the tide, if any, scan the wind, and determine which side the spinnaker boom shall be on. If after bearing up it is found that a mistake has been made, and that the vessel will not run for the mark in consequence of the main boom being on the wrong quarter, do not try to make her and get by the lee. When running by the lee the mainsail will be doing but little or no good, and, further, the main boom may come over suddenly and pull down the topmast, or break itself on the runner. Haul up to windward a little, and fill the mainsail; but if it involves hauling up more than a point, and the "run" be a long one, gybe over at once and run straight for the mark.* If the boom has to go square off, ease up the topsail sheet a little if the topsail tack is to windward of the gaff, and ease the topsail lacing and tack too, if it strains badly across the peak-halyard blocks. If the peak
of the mainsail falls aboard, ease the peak purchase a trifle, but not until after the topsail sheet has been eased, as the sudden strain thrown on the after leech and sheet of the topsail might cause something to burst. Take in the slack of the weather topping lift before easing up the peak purchase, or the boom may come down on the rail. The weather topping lift should always carry the weight of the boom in running or reaching with the boom broad off. Be careful, if there be much weight in the wind, not to ease the boom off so far as to allow the gaff to press heavily on the lee rigging, as the jaws of the gaff might thereby be broken.
In heavy weather it will not be prudent to run with the boom square off, nor to run dead before the wind ; keep a little to windward of the course, and then gybe over and run for the mark on the other tack.
With the weight of the boom and spinnaker boom shifted forward the vessel will go down by the head, and if she does not like the trim the crew should be placed abaft the tiller lines or on the quarter deck.
If the run be a dead one, the helmsman will have two objects in view : 1. To run straight for the mark. 2. To be careful that the mainsail is not gybed.