or the night when the
sail is damp, tie a few stops around it at intervals, and allow it to
hang loosely between them, just using a sufficient number to prevent the
sail from thrashing about in case of a strong wind during the night. As
soon as possible after a rain hoist the sail and let it dry. The
quickest way to dry a sail is to hoist it to the full extent along the
mast and drop the peak, and raise the boom quite high with the toppen
lift. This will cause the sail to bag greatly, and the wind shaking it
will soon dry the moisture out.

[Illustration: METHOD OF SCRAPING BOTTOM.]

Your boat has been in the water for some time, and you have entered it
for a race. The first thing to do in this case is to examine its bottom.
This may be effected by selecting a shelving beach, and running your
boat as far up as possible at high water, having previously removed all
extra weights. Secure two guy-ropes to the mast-head, and drive stakes
on each side of the boat about twenty feet off. Fasten the ropes to
these stakes, so when the tide goes out they will hold the boat on an
even keel, and on the receding of the tide it will be an easy matter to
examine the under body of the boat.

If the bottom is so foul as to require repainting, construct ways and
haul out, scraping and painting as in the beginning of the season. If
the bottom should need only a slight cleaning and polishing slacken one
of the guy-ropes so that the boat will rest on its side, and scrub clean
with water and a stiff brush, polishing with cloths. After this side is
finished pull the boat up to an even keel and slack away the other rope
so it will rest on the other side, thus permitting you to get at the
rest of the under-water body. If you are so fortunate as to possess a
racing-sail and spars, unship the old ones and ship the racing-spars and
sail. If you have not, your boat is about ready. Remove all extra
weights (excepting ballast), and if movable ballast is permitted take it
aboard. Examine all your rigging carefully, and do not omit to go over
it again just before starting in the race. All this should be finished
the day before the race.

Ranking almost equal in importance to the condition of the boat is the
training of the crew. The length of time required before the race to get
the crew in condition will, of course, depend upon the knowledge of the
individuals. If the members have a fair idea of their business a few
hours before the race will be su