[Rhodes22-list] Re: Rhodes22-list Digest, Vol 580, Issue 1

[Roger Pihlaja]

Lou,

In the spring of 1987 when we brought Dynamic Equilibrium home, Daniel was 4
years old and Gary was 1 year old.  My two sons grew up sailing on blue
water (the Great Lakes) on our Rhodes 22.  It sounds like Jay was trying to
give you a thrilling test sail.  If the rig is properly reefed down, there
is no reason to be burying the rail in 15-20 knot winds.  In fact, like a
sailing dingy, the boat sails fastest if it is sailed as level as possible.
Also like a sailing dingy, the boat sails fastest if you leave up a little
more sail area than would be prudent for the highest wind gusts.  Then, you
manage heeling by dumping the genoa sheet and mainsheet traveller during the
strongest gusts - in other words by actively sailing the boat.  The Rhodes
22 has a lot of sail area for a 22 foot LOA trailerable sailboat.  This
results in good light air performance.  But, as the wind speed picks up,
this large sail area also means the boat must reef down a little sooner than
some other boats.  My wife, Deb, never did get used to the heeling.  When we
sail with her aboard Dynamic Equilibrium, we reef down so as not to scare
her.  My sons tend to regard the boat as their own personal untethered
roller coaster.  If they are not planning; then, they're not happy!  I keep
expecting them to install a pair of catamaran trapesees so they can really
hike out.  Personally, I like having the choice between high performance and
sedate stability.  You really can have it both ways on a Rhodes 22.  You
just have to be smart about how much sail area you fly under any given
conditions and point of sail.

Roger Pihlaja
S/V Dynamic Equilibrium

----- Original Message -----
From: <Loumoore at aol.com>
To: <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Sent: Friday, November 19, 2004 9:30 PM
Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Re: Rhodes22-list Digest, Vol 580, Issue 1


> I am seriously considering purchasing a Rhodes about 1 year from now.  I
have
> taken two test sails, one in light wind and one in 20 knot winds with Jay
F.
> on Barnegat Bay.  Great times!
>
> One concern: Since I have a family with small children, I wanted to ask
how
> you all think the boat handles in 15-20 knot winds.
>
> 1. Is it common to have the lee rail in the water under these conditions
> until she stiffens?
> 2. Is she overly tender in 15 + knots?
> 3. Do you think a boat with more ballast and a conventional keel would be
> better for a family with young kids, i.e. does the Rhodes sail too much
like a
> dingy?  (no insult here--a dingy is a lively, fun craft to be in!  And you
can't
> sail a ballasted tank like a Flicka in light winds.)
> 4. Would appreciate your thoughts.
>
> Thanks,
> Lou Moore
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