[Rhodes22-list] For those who have yet to launch

[cjlowe]

Remember to have your centerboard up and the pendent secured, before backing the trailer in the water.Don't ask me how I've come to know this is a good thing.Just let me assure you, not heeding this advice will possibly have you :
1-testing the foam flotation
2- testing the capacity of the bilge pump,or at least, seeing the need for one
3-Learning much more about how your boat is put together(and taken apart)
4-And,of coarse,Brushing up on your fiberglass repair skills.

OK,OK, the only reason I'm admitting this is because I don't want anybody else to have to go through this.

In the middle of June I hauled the boat 100 Mi. for a long weekend,the day we had to pull out to go home,the winds were 25+ mph.So I  put the center board down to assist retrieval.When I went to put it back in the home port,I didn't have the pendent in the cleat. As the boat started coming off the trailer, the unrestrained CB caught on the bottom of the lake and was driven up by the weight of the boat coming off the trailer hard enough to crack the centerboard cap.Luckily that day we were tired,and didn't set up the rigging.Instead,we went under the bridge that we can't go under with the mast up,and checked out the rest of the lake for an hour and a half under motor.When we got back to the slip,I went to put in the hatch board and noticed something not so funny.2 inches of water covering the cabin sole. Well at least I didn't have to tear down the mast,and I just happened to have the trailer near by.Loaded her back up on the trailer and dripped all the way home. At home , I pumped over 50 gallons of water out of the bilge.
Well, off to the lake for a short sail,then pack the boat up for a weeks vacation at Lake Erie.
Happy 4th of July,
Jerry