An improvised gauge may consist simply of a small square of hard wood, drilled, and set at the desired distance from the point on the bit. When driven from above, deck bolts should have a small grommet made of lamp wick, soaked in white lead, under their heads. If driven from below, the nut should have a similar grommet. Any attempt to lay down rules or instructions will invariably invite criticism. Briefly, in large-scale deck caulking, as on passenger vessels, the seams are first opened up with a reaming iron and, being properly clean and of sufficient depth, are partially filled with cotton spun yarn.
Most small craft use only cotton.
The upper decks of some passenger vessels, ferryboats, and cabin tops of some yachts, consist of tongue and groove planking covered by canvas decking. Some jobs call for a layer of roofing paper between the wood and canvas, and it is common to lay the canvas upon a thick coating of paint of marine glue. Three or more coats of paint may be applied to the exposed surface of the canvas. Hand rails of two types, as A and B are secured to the deck stanchions. The latter may be of pipe, as shown, so as to serve the added purpose as drain spouts, the lower end terminating in a bridge foot.