Sailing out of sight of help in any small open boat is to be deprecated, and no exception to this rule is to be made with Water Wags, as they unquestionably run a risk of filling in unskilful hands; but, in that event, the absence of ballast is an advantage, for they do not go to the bottom as a ballasted boat will, but will actually support their crew if no attempt is made to climb up on them.
A lug of 60 sq. ft. is ample to begin with; and for most days when not racing, and for single-handed sailing, a reef should be taken in, or two kegs of water-ballast carried, unless on a very fine day.
The following sailing regulations are carefully enforced during racing:--
Only the boats of members shall compete in the races, and as it is one of the fundamental principles of the Water Wags that the boats shall be similar in every respect save sail-plan, it shall be in the power of the officer of the day to disqualify any boat that, in his opinion, is trying to gain an unfair advantage by infringing the above principle.
Each boat shall not carry more than three or less than two persons during a race, all of whom shall be amateurs, and shall be steered by either a member or a lady. And no money shall be awarded to a boat for a walk-over, but she may fly a flag therefor. Each boat shall carry on all proceedings of the Water Wags, all her platforms, floorings, thwarts, and stern sheets, also a pair of oars not less than 9 ft. long, with spurs or rowlocks for same; also, either one solid cork ring-shaped life-buoy, not less than 30 in. in external diameter, and capable of floating for three hours 21 lbs. of iron suspended therefrom, or two smaller ones of the same material and shape, which shall each float for the same time 14 lbs. of iron; or they may substitute a cork life-belt that will float 10 lbs. for three hours for each of the small life-buoys, providing each life-belt is worn the entire time the boat is afloat. Before taking a prize the owner of the boat shall declare to the party awarding it that the spirit of this rule has been carried out. And it shall also be the duty of every other competitor to protest against a boat without a life-buoy. The life-buoys shall rest unattached to anything in the boat, with nothing over or resting on them, so that they will immediately float out in the event of a capsize.