It's not enough to say,
"A G5RV is a terrible antenna".
A G5RV is a terrible antenna if it did not do well the last time you used
it. HF antennas and propagation being what they are, it is difficult to label
any antenna as terrible.
A G5RV type antenna in its many configurations ought to work as advertised.
And as you have proved Cecil, it can be tweaked.

73 Gary N4AST