Chapter II: Introduction

The first thing necessary for non-nautical yachtsmen is to know the names of the different sails, parts of the vessel, &c., &c., and for this purpose the diagram forming the frontispiece will be useful; a glossary, also, is added at the end of the work.

The frontispiece is an exact outline drawing of a model self-acting yacht, of 3-feet water-line, and 39 in. over all; the diagram is drawn in the proportion of ⅔ in. to the foot, and if any reader desires to make a smaller boat, say 30 in., all that need be done is to make everything ⅙ smaller, and for a 2 ft. boat ⅓ smaller; as the keel, however, would have to be calculated by weight, and the above rule would not apply, I give the weight in lbs.; a 3 ft. boat requires 20 lbs., a 2 ft. 6 in. boat 10 or 11 lbs., and a 24 in. boat 6 lbs. or nearly.

I will note here that it is better to make a vessel scooped out, &c., from the solid block, than to build one of small planks; 1st, it is easier (it takes a good carpenter to make one of planks), it can be altered outside if not scooped out too thin at first, it never _leaks_, and it never comes to pieces; and, lastly, it does not take half the time to repaint, &c., &c.