From collection Maynard Bray Collection
LB2013.1.324.21
Bahama dinghy under sail The classic Bahamian Dinghies (documented by Chapelle and other historians) were often rigged as catboats-with the mast stepped far forward, and no jib. All the sloops had very simple and pragmatic methods of reefing. One was a "tricing line"-a continuous loop or bight of line which originates near the mast head, passes under the sail (but not the boom) returns aloft with a fall down to the deck. The mains'ls are noted for having a large, baggy foot, which hangs well below the boom so far as to drag on the deck in many instances. By hauling on the tricing line, this huge bag of sail is "scandalized" by pulling it up above the boom in a bundle. Hence the sail is reefed up-not down as are modern sails. Tricing lines can be traced to traditional fishermen and pilot boats of the British Isles. The other method of reefing involves the simple expedient of lowering the sail the desired amount, bundling a portion of it just forward of the clew, and tying it off to the boom.https://www.woodenboat.com/whiskey_plank/bahamian-sloops%E2%80%94part-ii This photo was taken on a shoot that Ben Mendlowitz arranged for his Calendar of Wooden Boats, and was taken at Lisbon Creek in Andros, Bahamas
