[Rhodes22-list] Soliciting Practical Advice

[Robert Quinn]

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I changed computers awhile back and I have not restored some files that I
have on disk.  One is my response to questions like yours.  The R22 will do
everything you are looking for in an "easy and fun" way, plus a lot more.
We've had ours just over nine years and would not trade her for anything
short of a Tartan 40 something.  {:>)

We sail nearly every weekend weather permitting.  We were out today for
about three and a half hours.  Pure joy if not a bit nippy.

Like you we bareboat in the Caribbean for a lot of our vacations.  My advise
"own small, charter large."  Makes life a lot simpler and cheaper.

I'm attaching a story which goes beyond how we primarily use our boat but it
gives you a feel for what can be done.  (If the attachments do not come
through let me know and give me your e-mail address for a direct link.)
There is also a fellow I'm told who regularly sails his R22 to the Bahamas.

Good luck on your choice.

Bob on the "NoKaOi"

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SAILING TO THE DRY TORTUGAS
Ralph Rolland

Two boats set out together to sail to the Dry Tortugas.   Marilyn =
Rolland and I in our 1987 Rhodes 22 "Uff Da" from Marco Island, Florida =
and Harry Clark with friend Tom Collin in a 1981 Rhodes, "Gloria J" out =
of Naples, Florida.  Both boats are well equipped:  "Uff Da" has a 175% =
Genoa and a roller-furling main; "Gloria J" has a 165% Genoa and a =
traditional main.  Both have VHF radios, Autohelm 800 autopilots, and =
depth sounders, as well as Loran: a Ranger mounted on a bracket forward =
of the lazarette for "Uff Da"; and a Raytheon 570 loran mounted inside =
the jib box in the cockpit of Harry's boat. =20

The "Gloria J" sailed the 10 miles south to Marco Island the night =
before we left and anchored in a cove until morning.  On April 10, 1989, =
we started together through the pass into the Gulf of Mexico at 8:00 AM, =
turned on the Loran and read the bearing as 109 miles at 216 degrees.  =
The wind was from the southeast at 10-15 knots, which would be a good =
wind for the boats and the right direction.  We were heading for Pulaski =
Light at the northeast corner of the boundary for Fort Jefferson =
National Park. =20

Every two hours we checked and plotted our progress.  By noon we had =
slid to the west so we turned on the motor and motored back to the rhumb =
line.  From then on we were sailing just great until 8:00 PM when the =
wind dies.  So we turned on the motor and continued on until 2:00 AM =
when the wind came up again.  We sailed again until we arrived at =
Pulaski Light, motored first to the yellow boundary marker K, then =
continued westward to Marker J.  Now, instead of going further around to =
marker I and to the Northwest Passage into the Fort, we decided that, =
with centerboard up and a lookout at the bow, we could cut across the =
big shallow flat to the Fort.  The water was very clear, and with most =
of the depth at 3-4 feet we were able to make it, only having to dodge a =
few shoals which we were able to see clearly.  We arrived at the =
anchorage at 3:PM. =20

On the way down Marilyn made meals for us to eat in the cockpit.  During =
the night we changed watch every 4 hours.  It was very important to =
watch for the large shrimp boats out of Key West.  They were well =
lighted, looking like Christmas trees.  =20

On arrival at the Fort we immediately jumped into the Bay for a swim.  =
The next day we noticed a big barracuda under our boat - but we guessed =
he wouldn't hurt us if we didn't try to hurt him!  We went swimming on a =
beautiful sand beach by the Fort walls, toured the Fort, fished =
(catching Spanish mackerel and a small shark), sailed over to Loggerhead =
Key, and snorkeled around a submerged wreak where we saw some beautiful =
tropical fish.  Close to the anchorage is also Bush Key, a reserve for =
birds, particularly the Sooty Tern.  There are 100,000 pairs there, =
which start laying their eggs in March.  Otherwise the Sooty Tern lives =
and breeds on the wind.  For bird watchers this is a super place!

In addition to the large shrimp boats there are many smaller commercial =
fishing boats in this area.  The latter can make it into the anchorage =
for rest and protection from heavy weather.  We were told that if you =
bring along extra beer you can trade for some of their catch.  We'll =
remember that for next time. =20

After 3 days there we started back.  We motored out to the Park boundary =
and set our Loran for Naples, a bearing of 36 degrees and 110 miles.  =
The wind was still southeast at 10-15 knots, and once again died in the =
evening forcing us to motor for about 3 hours until it picked up again.  =
We sailed through the night with a full moon.  The next morning at 7:00 =
I called the "Gloria J" and told them I was changing course to 50 =
degrees, which would take us to Marco Island.  They continued on the =
Naples while we arrived at the pass at noon. =20

It was a great trip.  We had 24 gallons on gas along when we started and =
returned with 8 gallons.  And, the Dry Tortugas are dry!  No water no =
gas, no food either, so you have to carry everything.  But we had enough =
and had a great trip.


 					=09

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