Re: Launched Ozone Ouch!

butterchurn wrote:

Well we finally got Ozone launched this Sunday.  The weather up at Sandusky BAy on Lake Erie was very nice.  I got the mast up with the help of Stan's wonderful mast crane.  Quality equipment, BTW! I'm am not sure if I have the shrouds tightened correctly or not.  At least the mast is straight with no bends.

Motoring from the ramp to the marina took about 30 minutes.  The tiller felt like I was handling a semi-truck; took much effort to steer, not sure why.  It wasn't hanging up on anything.  Bilges dry. No problems there.

The really disappointing part was getting her into her slip.  She didn't respond to the tiller very well and I ended up on the rocks.  Fortunately, the bilges are still dry.  The rudder has portions of paint missing, but other than that I see no damage to it.  The diamond board hit the rocks, too, but still functions ok.  I was going very slow, BTW.  I guess I just need to get used to the boat and practice, practice and practice some more.  I had the marina move me to a slip away from the rocks and more room to maneuver.  I feel very foolish and could kick myself for blemishing my sweet girl.

Part of my problem was trying to move the motor and tiller in the same direction to make sharp turns.  The motor handle is blocked by the motor mount.  I tried making turns without moving the motor but the turns were not sharp enough to get into the slip with the space I had.  I don't know if you could give me suggestions.

If there are any Rhodies in the area of Sandusky Ohio, I would like to ask if someone could take a look at my mast rigging to see if I did it right.

I will learn, I just hope not to do it at the expense of my sweet girl.  I looked real foolish in the marina; not on the lake where I did just fine of course.

I agree with Stan in his owner's manual - his method and equipment is idiot proof, the boat that is not necessarily the person at the helm.