[Rhodes22-list] Long details re: a trailering experience

[Claude Cox]

Rummy (and anyone else who wants to respond);

I pulled celtic Lass to L. Lanier a couple of days ago, in preparation for a re-launch.  The trip was unforgetable, for all the wrong reasons.  Trouble began at anything over 45 mph
--fish-tailing mainly.  I had the OB in the back of the tow vehicle (Ford Explorer), and after several scary miles, I stopped and mounted it on the back of the boat.  I thought that would solve the problem, as the tow vehicle was sitting level.  NOT!  Still had to stay at 45.  The harriest moment was when the boat began to fish tail, and was on the verge of going out of control.  I managed to slow down enough to correct the problem, and had no more scarry moments.  The friend with me, and I held our collective breaths until we   stopped at West Marine to get an item.  Before we left WM we stood around discussing the situation.  Standing at the stern, we were talking and looking at the rudder.  Then it hit me.  The rudder was cocked to stbd, allowing several inches of it to extend beyond the boat.  I  thought I knew what the problem was.  With the rudder hanging out, it was catching the wind, and insisted on tacking the boat to stbd, causing the fish-tailing.  Comments.......

Claude    

s/v celtic Lass, 1986 R22, Lake Lanier, GA

Life is too short to own an ugly boat.