[24] To turn her head in the most advantageous direction. Send a hand to the helm.[25] [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. BEFORE THE WIND.[34] _With the Main Boom over to Starboard._[35] [34] That is, going the same way the wind blows. Her course is then sixteen points from the wind. (See Compass.) [35] Starboard is the right, and larboard the left hand side, when looking toward the head of the vessel. In managing the helm, be careful not to jibe the mainsail. When a vessel is going large[36], the helmsman should always place himself on the weather side of the tiller, or the side opposite to that which the main boom is over, as his view of the vessel’s head will then be unobstructed by the sails. The boat now running before the wind, haul the tack of mainsail up. If the wind come dead aft, you may flatten aft the jib and foresail sheets[37], or haul the foresail down to prevent chafing. If the wind come at all round on the starboard quarter[38], slack off the boom guy[39]; haul in the main-sheet till you get the boom a-midships[40], or nearly so; port[41] the helm, and jibe the mainsail; slack off the main-sheet again, and hook the guy on the larboard side; haul taut the starboard runner and tackle, and overhaul the larboard one; the same with the topping-lift[42]; hoist the head sails[43], and shift the sheets over. [36] Or free, not close-hauled. Generally understood as having the wind abaft the beam, or that her course is then eight points from the wind.