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

[Caesar Paul]

Claude,
 
It is amazing how fast you can travel with your boat and trailer if the tongue weight is just right.  The position of the boat on the trailer affects tongue weight.  The further forward the boat sits on the tongue trailer, the more tongue weight you have, the less  fishtailing you would get.  The further back the boat sits on the trailer, the less tongue you have and the fishtailing begins at slower speeds, and gets worse as you accelerate.
 
Mark the position of your boat as it sits on the trailer, and when hauling it out of the water next time, ensure that it sits about 6 to 12 inches further forward and your fishtailing will be reduced, if not eliminated.  I understand that a 10% of the weight you are hauling should be tongue weight ball park figure.  There are those on the list who can give you more precise information.  Bottom line: if you are fishtailing your tongue weight is too light, and moving the boat forward will increase tongue weight and decrease fishtailing.
 
When you find the "sweet spot" please tell us.
 
Caesar

--- On Sat, 5/2/09, Claude Cox <ccc974 at comcast.net> wrote:


From: Claude Cox <ccc974 at comcast.net>
Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Long details re: a trailering experience
To: "Rhodes22 list" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Date: Saturday, May 2, 2009, 2:18 PM


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.



     
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