[Rhodes22-list] boat show recap

[mltroy@NetReach.Net]

Mike, 
I think we corresponded once off the TSBB list about your marina. We are now at 
Swan Creek outside of Rock Hall and have cruised the R22 for 5 or 6 days at a 
time stopping at a marina every 2nd or third night to clean up and empty the 
porta potti (We have a 1991 recycled). We are tent campers from a ways back and 
to us this seems the lap of luxury. Don't know if you saw the pop-top enclosure 
but check out some of the pictures on the owners site and some of Mark Kaynor's 
pictures from the Memorial Day Chesapeake Rhendezvous. The enclosure makes the 
interior seem a lot bigger. We've found that our work schedules limit our 
cruising time not the boat.

The recycled boats look new. You can get things like new sails and interior 
cushions which make the boat feel new. We really liked the fact that we could 
have a lot of the upgrades done as part of the initial purchase price. Of 
course we're still upgrading ;-).

Your point in another email about getting roped into the maintenance issues 
with a larger boat is exactly why we love out boat the size she is. We can 
afford the luxury items because they are small and we can trailer her home in 
the winter which makes working on her fun. We are one of the smallest boats in 
our marina. We've made friends with lots of folks on bigger boats but have no 
desire to go bigger ourselves. 

Good luck whatever you decide. If you have more questions about sailing, 
cruising or keeping an R22 just ask.

We meant to go aboard the CP 25 but got distracted and didn't make it back. One 
of the things that struck me was how much she rolled when someone stepped 
aboard. Fred and I were surprised. Don't know how she'd be under sail. I know 
the hull Hutchins uses for the CP25 is (or was)the same as a Watkins 25 so you 
might investigate those as well.

Best of luck (and fun) with your decision!
Mary Lou
1991 R22  Fretless
Swan Creek, MD / Ft. Washington, PA

> 
> At 07:46 AM 10/16/2002 -0400, you wrote:
> >My wife and I were at the show on Monday.  The day was beautiful and the
> >show was not crowded.  We had the pleasure of meeting Elton and going for a
> >test sail with Stan. Our main purpose of going to the show was to see the
> >Rhodes 22 and I was very impressed.  I loved the way the boat sailed.  The
> >control from the IMF and the roller furler genoa was wonderful.  We started
> >out with the boat flat and increased sail as we went.  My wife really liked
> >how easy it was to decrease the sail area to reduce heeling. She gets really
> >nervous when the boat leans. Stan and Elton were very helpful and a real joy
> >to talk with.  Since we currently own an Oday 22, the question becomes if we
> >buy a new boat shouldn't it be bigger than another 22 foot boat?  We also
> >liked the salty looks and the room inside the Compac 25.  The price to buy
> >either boat new is out of the question, so the used or recycled market is
> >more realistic.  We felt very safe and in control in the Rhodes, I just wish
> >it had the interior room of the Compac. We usually only day sail but would
> >like to make some longer trips on the bay with the right boat.  We are about
> >1 year away from buying our next boat and the Rhodes is still at the top of
> >my next boat list.  The support for the boat from this group and the feeling
> >of safety while sailing her make a strong case for owning a Rhodes.
> >
> >Sincerly
> >
> >Mike DeWald
> >Door and Window Company
> >Mt Wolf, PA
> >