[Rhodes22-list] My new Rhodes 22. It's great!!

[Mark Skapinker]

Last year I started a quest for the perfect sailing boat. I live in Toronto, Canada and was looking for something special. The city is on lake Ontario which is a huge lake with sailing boats of every size, but every summer I spend as much time as I can on one of the beautiful smaller lakes about 2 hours north of here in an are known as Muskoka.
I was looking for a sailing boat big enough to sail well on lake Ontario, but small enough to trailer and not too big for Lake Muskoka.
I did my homework and searched everywhere until I came across the Rhodes 22 on its own web site. It seemed ideal, and a month later I was fortunate to be able to visit the factory and meet Stan and see what he was up to and see my first Rhodes 22 in person.
I ended out buying an almost new Rhodes 22 and took delivery of it three weeks ago.
Even though I have been out of town quite a bit recently, I have taken every opportunity I can to sail the boat and it has been fantastic.
Elton delivered the boat to Canada and he was really helpful. He was so proud of the boat that I almost felt that he didn't want to let me take it away from him. He helped set it up after its trip up North and spent a few days here in Canada.
Dealing with Stan, Elton and the folks at GB was a really positive experience. Their pride, caring and knowledge shone through in all my dealings with them and I really felt like they went the extra mile and really cared.
Now, I am launched. I am still a novice but I am learning a huge amount every time I take my Rhodes 22 out. I have no idea whether mine is the only one in Ontario or Canada - does anyone know? Now, I am starting to build up many questions as I learn more and enjoy more. This weekend, we had sunny skies and great winds (very rare for late May in Toronto) and I was out all weekend - lots of stares and inquisitive looks from other boats.
This site seems great, and I am working my way through past postings to learn from questions others have asked.
If anyone is up in Ontario Canada - there is now a Rhodes 22 here ready to go out!
Fair winds-
Mark Skapinker