[Rhodes22-list] New Rhodes Boat Owner

[Wally Buck]

Bill,

I don't have much desire to add captains seats. I  usually sail solo or with 
my wife and I like to sit forward. I think the R22 sails much better without 
a bunch of weight aft and you get a better view of genny sitting forward. If 
I had 4 or 5 in the cokcpit the seats would be nice but I don't see myself
springing for new stern rails and new seats.

Wally
>From: "Bill Effros" <bill at effros.com>
>Reply-To: The Rhodes 22 mail list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>To: "The Rhodes 22 mail list" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
>Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] New Rhodes Boat Owner
>Date: Mon, 2 Aug 2004 10:20:05 -0400
>
>Wally,
>
>Captain's seats will change your life.  You are always sailing with your 
>weight on the rail--effortlessly.  You feel and look like the king of the 
>universe.
>
>I sailed past a million dollar yacht here in Greenwich a few years ago and 
>heard the beautiful girl in the thong say to the fat old rich guy "That 
>seat is great!  Why don't we have something like that?"
>
>I get that comment all the time from friends with much more expensive boats 
>who want to sail on mine.  They want to figure out how to install rail 
>mounted seats as comfortable and useful as the ones I've got.  But when 
>push comes to shove, they can't.  You can.
>
>You should think about retro-fitting the captain's chairs on your boat.  
>Maybe Stan would create a retro-fit kit if you asked.  There is an exact 
>right spot to place the base, and Stan knows where it is.  There is a way 
>to safely mount the seats, and Stan knows what it is.
>
>Because people steal his intellectual property, he may not want to give out 
>that information, and I would understand that.  But if you can coax the 
>information out of him, or buy it from him, it will be worth your time and 
>effort.
>
>I always sail from the Captain's seat, and now feel lost without it.  It's 
>one of those great ideas you don't see coming.
>
>Bill
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: Wally Buck
>To: rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org
>Sent: Monday, August 02, 2004 9:06 AM
>Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] New Rhodes Boat Owner
>
>
>Bill,
>
>Nice post! My budget kept me from outfitting boat as you describe. I agree
>with most ....
>
>I would pass on self tending jib as well. The R22 is easy to sail.  Mast
>head rigs need a bigger genny.
>
>Captains seats - I don't have them but those that do seem to like them. I
>don't sail with full cockpit so I don't see need.
>
>Single axle trailers are easier to maintain. Unless you plan on a bunch of
>long distance towing stick with single axle.
>
>Motor lift - I do not have a GB lift of any type and wish I did. Mine is a
>piece of crap. I have heard many good thing about the non-electric GB lift.
>Not sure if I woudl go with electric but I have never seen it. Can motor be
>raised manually as well?
>
>Ice Box - I would keep it simple. We have no problem keeping things cold 
>for
>5 days. We could go longer if I liked hot beer.
>
>Cockpit cushions - get them, if budget allows get the fill in cushions as
>well.
>
>Boom Room - We only cruise with two. If it is stormy out we go in cabin. 
>Are
>you cruising with 4 or more; then consider the boom room. It looks like a
>pain to me. We have an awning that provides sun and rain protection
>
>Pop top enclosure - I don't have but I would order one. We use an old tent
>rain fly with tie downs to serve as pop top enclosure. It works great in
>rain but provides no bug protection. Bugs are not a problem on my lake but 
>I
>plan on ordering on of these one day ....
>
>Link 10 - they are nice. You should only need two batteries. Mine are $38
>Walmart (84 amp hou)r Deep Cycles. They are three plus years old and going
>strong. I have shore power so I use a marine charger. If I didn;t I would
>order solar panels. I like electric start as well. Most provide light
>charging ability. They do not require a dedicated starting battery. Mine
>hand starts as welll. We have never run out of power. We usually go out 
>from
>1 - 4 nights.
>
>I don't have an auto- tiller but they are nice. They do use up your battery
>power ......
>
>I have a good hand held marine radio. If I cruised in ocean I would 
>consider
>stern rail mounted antenna.
>
>IMF is awesome. I would go with a furler that allows sail changes without
>dropping mast.
>
>Good Luck,
>
>Wally
>
>
>
>
>
>
> >From: "Bill Effros" <bill at effros.com>
> >Reply-To: The Rhodes 22 mail list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> >To: "The Rhodes 22 mail list" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> >Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] New Rhodes Boat Owner
> >Date: Sun, 1 Aug 2004 12:14:43 -0400
> >
> >Nell,
> >
> >Congratulations!
> >
> >Naming is the hardest part.
> >
> >Forget the self tending jib.  It self tends, but it doesn't drive the 
>boat.
> >  The jib is the main driving sail.  Get the 175, and people on the list
> >will teach you to how to cross-sheet it so you never miss a tack, and can
> >operate it without ever leaving your captain's seat.
> >
> >Get the captain's seats for sure.
> >
> >I, also, bought my boat for the rest of my life.  Since the cost of 
>add-ons
> >is distributed over a lifetime, the yearly cost of something you want is
> >negligible.  Get anything you think you want now.  You will not get it 
>from
> >Stan later unless you live near him.
> >
> >On every matter, give Stan 2 votes to 1 for everyone else.  He is hand
> >building a boat for you, and in some cases he is trying to tell you that
> >the hands he has available will not build what you want as well as others
> >you may find later.
> >
> >The single axle trailer is fine.  It is much easier to maneuver in tight
> >spaces.  If you have a properly sized tow vehicle, and know how to 
>position
> >your boat properly on the trailer, you will have no trouble with it.  The
> >only reason for getting the dual axle rather than the single axle, in my
> >view, is that the single axle trailer can kick up, with the stern 
>crashing
> >to the ground, if the boat is not properly loaded on the trailer, and the
> >trailer receiver is removed from the tow vehicle ball without first 
>placing
> >a block under the rear rails of the trailer.  This will never happen if 
>you
> >always place blocks under the trailer rail before unhitching from the tow
> >vehicle.  The dual axle trailer will not do this.  Elton has a Ph.D. in
> >trailering Rhodes-22s.  Talk to him.  He gets 2 votes to 1 for everyone
> >else on this matter.
> >
> >If Stan likes the electric motor lift, so do I.  It wasn't available when 
>I
> >bought my boat, but I  have been considering it.  Motors are getting
> >heavier at the same time we get older.  It is elegant.  And even though I
> >don't need it, I like the thought of it.  My manual motor lift is almost
> >the only reason I ever have to get out of my captain's chair while 
>sailing.
> >  While this may sound like a matter of sloth, it greatly contributes to
> >the ease of passengers who don't have to move every time the Captain 
>needs
> >to make any adjustment.
> >
> >I single hand my boat at all times--even when there are 1/2 dozen people 
>on
> >board.  If someone wants to learn to sail I can teach just that person,
> >while the others can enjoy a simple pleasure uninterrupted by shouting 
>and
> >trying to learn under adversity tasks they think if performed improperly
> >could cost them their lives.  Presently, the only time I ever have to ask
> >someone to move is when I must manually lower or raise the motor.  So the
> >electric motor lift is appealing to me.
> >
> >Your refrigerator idea is interesting.  If Stan wants to do it, do it.  
>If
> >not, don't.  The equipment required to run a refrigerator is very heavy,
> >and will change the sailing characteristics of your boat.  There are many
> >virtues to removing all perishable food every time you leave your boat.
> >Modern insulating materials will allow you to bring cold food with you 
>from
> >shore that will remain cold for many days.  Roger has written exactly how
> >to do this.
> >
> >Get the cockpit cushions.  I think the fill-in cushions are great, too.  
>I
> >use them whenever sailing with others.  Not only do they provide a beach
> >blanket sized sunning and eating space, they also lock the cockpit bench
> >cushions so they won't slide when heeling.  I am a firm believer in 
>waxing
> >the entire boat, including the deck and cockpit surfaces, to maintain the
> >original look and condition of the boat.
> >
> >If you plan to sleep on board, get the pop-up enclosure.
> >
> >I am still toying with the boom room.  Stan is not wild about it.  I 
>think
> >he can figure out how to do it right if he thinks about it some more.  It
> >works just fine, the problem is that it costs a lot of money and you are
> >carrying around a lot of paraphernalia all the time for something you use
> >just once in a while.
> >
> >I like the Link-10 battery monitor.  It constantly monitors your 
>electrical
> >system so you can know where you stand all the time, and not tell people 
>to
> >turn off their reading lights when not using them because you are worried
> >they will run down the batteries.  It turns out a single properly charged
> >battery will run for days and days on the amount of electricity we use on
> >this boat.  I have 2 but I don't really need them.  Some people have 3 
>and
> >4--to be on the safe side.  This adds weight, cost, and unreliability.  
>Get
> >the Link-10 and learn to use it, and your battery anxieties will 
>disappear
> >forever.
> >
> >I don't like the bulkhead mounted compass.  I like to lean against the
> >bulkhead, and so do most of my passengers.  My boat has 6 extremely
> >comfortable sitting positions (2 Captain's chairs; 2 of "Elton's Seats"
> >that we lean against the bulkheads, and I 2 small beanbag chairs for the
> >center of the seat passengers)  The bulkhead mounted compass would reduce
> >that to 5.  People install the compasses because they look good.  Nobody
> >bothers to correct them any more, so they tend to become extremely
> >inaccurate.  The globes scratch and become clouded by the sun.  (Walk
> >around your marina and look at them.)  Nobody really uses them any more.
> >There is no reason for it if you install an auto-tiller.  I have mine
> >installed on a board that slides in the companionway.  I sometimes use it
> >to practice navigation when I am single handing (In that location it is a
> >pain to go in and out of the cabin-I don't use it with others on board.)
> >Years can go by without my ever thinking to use a steering compass.
> >
> >I don't like a fixed VHF.  The new small rechargeable battery hand held
> >units have all the power and range we need.  They recharge using on-board
> >power.  And they don't go down with the ship, or an electrical problem on
> >board, or too much water in the wrong place.  They can be handed to the
> >captain from their secure location, or used by inexperienced people.
> >
> >I almost never use winches.  I let the wind do the work.  If the wind is
> >making it difficult to set the lines, I change what I am doing.  I don't
> >try to overpower the wind.  Every now and again I need the power of a
> >winch, but I wouldn't spend a lot of money on something like this.  The
> >standard winches are just fine.  Have Stan install mainly the things that
> >only Stan can provide.
> >
> >Electric start motor is a must.  It will recharge your batteries, or 
>allow
> >you to run lights at night even when your batteries are dead.  You can
> >start it by hand if your batteries are dead--it is just as easy to start 
>as
> >a non-electric start motor.
> >
> >I love my solar cells.  They keep the batteries topped off all the time.
> >My boat never has shore power, but it always has all the electricity I
> >need.  My batteries lasted for twice the warranty period (6 years on 36
> >month batteries--never charged off the boat, always left in the cold all
> >winter, never a bit of trouble.)  I like the old wet cells better than 
>gel
> >or AGM.  They are cheap and forgiving.  You can charge them higher and 
>keep
> >them higher without fear of overcharging.
> >
> >I had planned to play with my auto tiller this year, but haven't gotten
> >around to it.  I believe they can be mounted in a far more convenient 
>way,
> >but haven't had the time to experiment.  They are bigger and heavier than
> >they appear in pictures, and intrude on cockpit space when in use.
> >
> >IMF for sure.
> >
> >I like the Spitzer Furler and have never had a day of trouble with it.  I
> >like the one piece foil construction, and never even dream of changing
> >sails on it.  If you have a 175 genny there is no reason to change
> >sails--learn to use the 175 properly.  This results in "untraditional" 
>sail
> >configurations, but your boat will go using the wind when others are 
>afraid
> >to deploy any sail at all.  Nobody seriously changes sails under 
>conditions
> >like these on boats like ours.
> >
> >I always toy with getting the most expensive Schaeffer roller furler
> >because it is reported to be the best. But I won't switch unless 
>something
> >happens to what I have.  And even then, I'll think twice.  I work with 
>the
> >wind, and I think you should too.  The wind unfurls my sail, and I point 
>my
> >boat to make it easy to furl it properly every time.  I had a lot of
> >trouble with the CDI I owned on a previous boat.
> >
> >I don't like a bimini--too much stuff where I don't want stuff.  Shade
> >loving people can be comfortable in the cabin, sailing with the pop-top 
>up,
> >sun loving people in the cockpit--if there is too much sun I sail in a
> >direction that allows my 175 genny to shade the entire cockpit.  When
> >sitting on anchor, some people go in the cabin, others in the cockpit.
> >
> >I have double opening cabin-top hatches and recommend them.  When up they
> >act as wind scoops for the cabin and keep it comfortable.  They also make
> >the head easier to use, and less confined.  Men can pee standing up--a
> >luxury not to be discounted.
> >
> >I don't like jacklines.  Too many sailors around here die while attached 
>to
> >them.  If you want to be able to clip-on, have Stan properly install
> >folding pad-eyes so you can clip on anywhere on the boat to something 
>that
> >will prevent you from falling overboard no matter what happens.  Figure
> >that if you hit the water, even clipped onto to a jackline, or with a too
> >long a harness line, you're dead.  That is the truth more often than not
> >under these circumstances.  Jacklines allow you to fall overboard.  Pad
> >eyes with short harness lines will keep you on board.
> >
> >I love remote control motor linkage.  I prefer one lever rail mounted so
> >you push forward to go forward.  I don't have linked motor and tiller, 
>and
> >have not felt the need to get it.
> >
> >As you may have gathered from the saga of Sheldon Green, heads are a
> >problem, mine included.  In my case, the intake gets clogged by 
>barnacles,
> >and the aptly named "joker valve" fails repeatedly.  Long Island Sound
> >water creates odor problems because of all the stuff living in the water
> >which dies in my holding tank.  Michael attempted a solution on his boat
> >that I consider to be overkill.  I like the fresh water flush, and have
> >used it for the past 2 years.  I have 3 Poland Springs water bottles in 
>the
> >rack beside the head.  Squirt some water in the bowl. Do your business.
> >Squirt more water to clean the bowl.  Pump it out into the holding tank.  
>I
> >refill bottles as needed from my fresh water system.  Easy to use for
> >people who have never used a marine head.  No levers to flip.  No 
>potential
> >to sink the boat.  The bottles ration the water to a reasonable quanta.
> >Being able to point the nozzle and squeeze the bottle cleans the bowl
> >better than any other method.  The fresh chlorinated water kills anything
> >in it.
> >
> >If you are going to trailer you will need the mast hoist system.
> >
> >I don't like the life rails.  No one has ever fallen off my boat or even
> >come close.  My 87 year old mother sails with me all the time in perfect
> >safety.  People stay in the cockpit where there's plenty to grab onto.
> >
> >I don't like built in instruments.  They always fail and you can never be
> >sure the information they are reporting is accurate.  Wiring constantly
> >fails.  Wireless instruments are becoming available, and I think they are
> >the wave of the future.  No wiring.  Solar powered. Throw them out if 
>they
> >aren't working right.
> >
> >Give Stan plenty of time to build your boat properly.  Your boat will be
> >built for you.  Think through what you want.  Don't constantly change the
> >specifications.  Don't nag.  Make sure Stan always has enough money to be
> >able to buy the things for your boat that it needs.  Don't make him front
> >money for you.  Pre-pay if you think it will help him.  The boat will be
> >late, but once you have it, it will be just what you wanted, and you will
> >appreciate it every day for the rest of your life.  Nice people get 
>better
> >boats.
> >
> >I went to Stan's web site while I was waiting for my boat, downloaded all
> >the pages, printed them all out, made a book for myself, and read that 
>book
> >over and over.  It was like waiting for my birthday when I was a kid and
> >anticipating how great the presents were going to be.  Only the boat 
>turned
> >out to be just as great as I thought it would be for all those months.
> >
> >I still have that book, and I still look at it from time to time because 
>it
> >can still make me have all those great feelings.
> >
> >If anyone has bothered to read this far, I'm sure you'll hear opposing
> >points of view.
> >
> >Bill Effros
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >----- Original Message -----
> >From: Nell
> >To: Rhodes 22 mail list
> >Sent: Saturday, July 31, 2004 7:47 PM
> >Subject: [Rhodes22-list] New Rhodes Boat Owner
> >
> >
> >Stan and I and my daughter went sailing on his boat today AFTER I put a
> >down
> >payment on my very own Rhodes.
> >The sail was fun and it was a clear, warm day, the last of July, and
> >strangely there were only 4 other boats on the water.
> >Go figure.
> >I thought beautiful, warm weather, and a weekend, should bring everybody
> >out
> >to play but not so.
> >They missed a real treat.
> >Stan is as much of a character to sail with as he is to talk to.
> >I must admit he seemed a little hesitant to take my money.
> >He kept saying "I want you to be sure".
> >All right already. I'm sure.
> >Now all I have to do is learn patience while he builds the boat.
> >
> >At his suggestion, I am opening myself up to lots of input to the 
>following
> >questions:
> >Which of the couple of dozen "add-ons" to the boat would you Rhodes 
>owners
> >recommend?
> >Stan talked me into a single axel trailer because I will be trailering on
> >flat land over about 25 miles.
> >He is trying to talk me out of an auto tiller. What do you all think?
> >
> >Seriously, I am planning on buying only this one boat in my lifetime and 
>I
> >want to be able to sail it when I am older and much less strong than I am
> >now. So I wanted the package with the electric motor lift, etc.
> >Stan says that he can do just fine with the manual lift at his age, a 
>spry
> >78.
> >I wanted the self-tending jib.
> >Stan says I don't want it. What's your opinion.
> >
> >By the way, I asked him how come we don't put a small refrigerator in 
>place
> >of the ice box that collects the water from the melting ice. I said the
> >refrigerator could be kept at cold temperature by being hooked up to the
> >electric dockside. Then when it's disconnected while out sailing, if we 
>put
> >a bag of ice in it, it would be like our home fridge during a power
> >failure.
> >The ice could keep the food inside cold. The temperature would rise like 
>it
> >would do at home without current. The melting ice just needs to be placed
> >in
> >the fridge so that when it melts, it could be collected for drinking 
>water
> >use just like it currently would be collected in the standard ice chest.
> >Any
> >thoughts from you inventive types?
> >
> >I'm also thinking about a name for this boat. I suggested Black Widow
> >because of an inside joke with Stan.
> >Also Shadow's Ebb. I want something distinctive but not trite. Also, any
> >suggestions?
> >
> >Thanks for the feedback in advance.
> >
> >nellwolfe
> >
> >
> >__________________________________________________
> >Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
> >__________________________________________________
> >Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
>
>_________________________________________________________________
>MSN Toolbar provides one-click access to Hotmail from any Web page – FREE
>download! http://toolbar.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200413ave/direct/01/
>
>__________________________________________________
>Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
>__________________________________________________
>Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list

_________________________________________________________________
Express yourself instantly with MSN Messenger! Download today - it's FREE! 
http://messenger.msn.click-url.com/go/onm00200471ave/direct/01/