I just got a used Aqua Cat 12.5, after sailing a Sunfish for many years.

I went out in fairly strong wind and the one daggerboard I had snapped and the tiller was almost impossible to control. It wanted to head upwind and took all my strength to hold back. I didn't notice the pull until later in the sail - think it got bad *after* I felt something go that I presume was the daggerboard snapping, but it is also possible the wind increased and/or I was getting tired. When I headed a bit downwind to go home, I almost needed two hands to hold it.

I thought the missing daggerboard might be the problem so I made two out of plywood. The problem did not go away, though I haven't been out in as strong a wind. The man who sold me the boat said you barely need a daggerboard on it.

The next thought is that the rudders are not being held down
sufficiently by their springs (being pushed back by flowing water) and that is giving them too much leverage on me.

Should I fiddle around bending the springs in some way? Has anyone else experienced this? I don't think sailing should be this much work - I've steered that sunfish and a 22' yacht many times and it is not very hard. With all this strain, I'm afraid the plastic rudders are going to snap next.

I find the location of the tillers awkward - has anyone improved on this?

Thanks for any help!

Tina