[Rhodes22-list] New Rhodie in N.J.

[Steve Alm]

Hello Phyllis,

Congratulations and welcome to the Rhodes group.  I second Bill's idea to
practice your backing in a big parking lot.  It's a skill that takes some
work before you get accustom to the backwardsness of it. Here's a tip that
helped me:  Put your hand on the bottom of the steering wheel and then move
your hand in the same direction that you want the trailer to go.

Good luck,

Slim
S/V Fandango

On 8/29/04 12:50 PM, "Bill Effros" <bill at effros.com> wrote:

> Phyllis,
> 
> Congratulations.
> 
> Backing up trailers is fun once you get the hang of it.  Take the boat to a
> supermarket parking lot after the store has closed and practice when there are
> no cars around, and nothing to hit (and nobody to laugh at you while your mind
> figures it out.)  Decide if you are going to back up by turning around and
> looking backwards, or by looking in mirrors while facing forward.  There is a
> case to be made for either method, but your mind works differently depending
> on which you choose, and it can be very confusing to switch methods while you
> are in the middle of a maneuver.
> 
> Also, remember that the boat is balanced on the trailer so that there is only
> roughly 200 pounds on the jack wheel.  Sometimes the easiest way to move in
> tight quarters is to detach the trailer, rotate it into position by hand,
> (like the way they turn the cable cars in San Francisco--easier with single
> axle trailers) and then either move the trailer by hand (it's on wheels--this
> is easy on level driveways) or reconnect the tow vehicle so it can push the
> trailer into final position.
> 
> Lots of safety warnings here.  Make sure the trailer won't roll away when
> detached from the tow vehicle.  Make sure it won't kick up because of too much
> weight in back.  But once you know what you are doing (write it down--make a
> checklist--follow it and improve it every time) you will find you can put your
> boat exactly where you want it every time--even when people are watching.  In
> fact, once you get good at it, people will literally applaud when they see
> what you can do.
> 
> Bill Effros
> 
> 
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: P&M Beals 
> To: rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org
> Sent: Sunday, August 29, 2004 1:08 PM
> Subject: [Rhodes22-list] New Rhodie in N.J.
> 
> 
> Thanks to Joe Ware who introduced me to Whisper, formerly his Rhodes 22, and
> to the art of trailering (set up and all) I am pleased to say there is a
> BEAUTIFUL recycled Rhodes in our driveway in Central NJ.  I made the 6 hour
> 58 mph trip from Onancock, Va. solo with my 6 cyl. minivan.  I put Joe to
> work yesterday getting him to get Whisper out on the water, mast up and mast
> down in the heat, test-sail and all.  It will take some time to learn the
> art of sailing with the big Genoa jib, and I may still take Jay up on his
> offer to sail at LBI area-  My family is excited and we look forward to a
> lot of good sailing ahead.  Now if I can just teach myself how to back up
> the trailer into the yard.  Within a couple weeks I hope it will be in a
> different place for Sept, Oct. and maybe even Nov? sails.
> 
> The list has been very helpful, and I count on future expert advice from
> all.
> 
> and yes I will give Rummy the ID # though what was Joe's for Whisper is now
> mine.
> 
> Joe mentioned that a while back someone had info. on how to avoid the hex if
> you change a boat's name....I might keep the name but it's not certain.
> 
> Phyllis Beals 
> __________________________________________________
> Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
> __________________________________________________
> Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list