Hi Tom, I think I would leave on the rudder for short trips if I had to
launch every time as well.  I hope you find a slip for next season since it
makes all the difference in being able to get out more often and on short
notice.  Your photo makes the captain's chair look quite comfy!

Jesse Shumaker
S/V Zephyr

On Sun, Sep 13, 2020 at 2:35 PM Tom Van Heule <
tom.vanheule at intrinsicprograms.com> wrote:

> Jesse, I have for the first season, left the rudder on for local ( under 10
> miles round) trips. It isn't something I wanted to wrestle with in the
> cabin up to twice a week.  I thought of maybe fabbing up a shelf up front
> on the trailer...   But as I usually have ' original' ideas, in this case I
> would think that would have been put in already if it worked....
>
> I am lucky to be able to get out on some Wednesdays and all weekends this
> fall.  So spending literally 15 minutes mounting and storing the rudder
> each dunk isn't attractive.
> If I had a truck bed I would reconsider, but tucking it up in the vberth
> and risking damage from the wisconsin roads, or myself...eek.
>
>    We will put her in a milwaukee slip for lake michigan asap.  Anyone know
> of a slip around milwaukee? Would be super cool to park next to another
> Rhodie.
>
> Cheers,
> Tvh
>
>
>
> On Sun, Sep 13, 2020, 12:40 PM Jesse Shumaker <
> jesse.laten.shumaker at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Tom, sorry to hear about the bunk issue.  Regarding the retrieval
> process,
> > I just winch tight while it's still floating and that has worked for me.
> > I've only retrieved on two ramps, one is very gradual and another with
> > medium steepness.  It worked well in both cases.
> >
> > I noticed the rudder is on in your photo.  Do you leave that on for
> > trailering?  I've always removed the rudder and stowed it in the v-berth
> > for towing.  It's not exactly easy to get it back there but it adds to
> > tongue weight and isn't putting pressure on the stern.  I also help
> secure
> > my motor by attaching extra straps that go over the stern rail and to the
> > aft cleats.
> >
> > Jesse Shumaker
> > S/V Zephyr
> >
> > On Sun, Sep 13, 2020 at 11:31 AM Tom Van Heule <
> > tom.vanheule at intrinsicprograms.com> wrote:
> >
> > > Today I went to the up a launch lane to practice retrieval and
> launching
> > > our boat Octopian. In the morning I had about negative 80lbs tounge
> > weight,
> > > the aft port window centered above the axle.  Rudder and 8hp 4 stroke
> on
> > > the back. Mast down on the crutch and attached to the bow pulpit.
> Single
> > > axle.
> > >
> > > Now see where the aft port is related to the axle.
> > > We have about 120lbs of tounge weight now! Pulled remarkedly better.
> > >
> > > You may ask yourself.... Why almost perfect then?
> > > We cracked one of the keel alignment bunks :(
> > >
> > > Let's share our tips for getting her just right in the bunks? I don't
> > see a
> > > lot of retrieval or launching threads on the archive.
> > >
> > > I found that winching her tight before de-floating, with the stem
> crotch
> > > full retracted worked perfect.
> > > Just make sure you give her time to settle in the bunk, it's not a
> > tractor
> > > pull...
> > >
> > > Hope everyone had a great weekend.
> > > Tom
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