weight distribution

[dannyb9]

i guess most of you are aware the ds is sensitive to fore and aft trim. i had guests on my boat a couple of days ago for a relaxed afternoon sail. we had a lot of weight in the stern. i could barely tack and the helm was very sluggish and heavy. i thought i had picked up a raft of weeds. i saw that i was pulling a big mass of water, not weeds, behind the boat because the stern was partially sunk. i got the crew to move forward and get more 'friendly'- sit closer together- and my sweet handling ds regained her manners immediately