[25] This term includes both the tiller and the wheel; but, as the
yawing motion of a small light vessel is correspondingly light and
feeble, though much quicker than that of a large vessel, she is best
without a wheel, which is meant to gain power at the expense of time.
Overhaul the main-sheet[26], and the lee[27] runner and tackle[28];
lower the throat, and hoist the peak of the mainsail taut[29] up.
[26] A rope or tackle for regulating the horizontal position of the
main boom.
[27] The leeward or lee-side is the opposite to windward.
[28] A compound tackle, used in cutter-rigged vessels, instead of a
backstay to the lower mast, on account of its easy removal allowing
the main boom to go forward, in going large.
[29] The nautical way of pronouncing and writing _tight_.
Hoist the gaff topsail[30], keeping the tack[31] to windward[32] of the
peak halyards[33], and hauling the slack of the sheet out before you
hoist the sail taut up.
[30] The sail above the mainsail. The sheet hauls out to a small
block on the outer end of the gaff.
[31] Tack is the lowermost corner opposite to the sheet, in all
fore-and-aft sails and studding sails.
[32] The windward or weather side, is that side on which the wind
blows.
[33] The rope by which the peak of the gaff or boom, to which the
head of the mainsail is fastened, is hoisted. Halyards always
signifies a rope by which a sail is hoisted.
Set the tack, and heave the sheet well taut.