[Rhodes22-list] Another 1/2 century Rhodie

[Jim White]

Greetings Jerry
(From one Half Century sailor to another)
Congratulations. Loved the narrative. Hope to accomplish a weekend sail 
this coming one, WX permitting
Cheers,
jw


At 08:55 PM 4/27/2005, you wrote:
>About the same time Jim White was turning 50, so was I. The weekend 
>before,I packed up the wife,dog(overweight,spoiled rotted, Dalmatian) and 
>the Rhodes, and headed south 500 mi. to Lake Norman. The 2003 Toyota 
>Fore-runner pulled the new Triad trailer much,much better than the old 
>single axel. I never towed the single axle more than 60 mi. at a time, so 
>it was a wake-up call when my normal 20 mpg got cut in half on the way to 
>Lake Norman, 10.5 MPG is the best I got on the trip.
>  Got to L.N. on Saturday the 16th ,too tired to set up the boat, parked 
> it in my brother in laws driveway for the night. Sunday morning , Paul 
> (B.I.L.) and I launched and set-up the boat.Paul's boss offered us free 
> use of his dock and ramp,of coarse the ramp was surrounded by overhanging 
> trees. Which is why we launched and then set -up the boat,takes a little 
> more time to raise the mast on the water. Sunday's sail went well with 5 
> people and one dog aboard,5-10 kts. wind, and more open water to sail on 
> than I've ever had.
>  Monday, it was just Carol (my wife) and Duke (spoiled rotten dog) and 
> I,we're about 1/2 mi from the dock and inquires what is that in the water 
> behind us? Long story short,it's the dock owners American bulldog wanting 
> a sailboat ride.Ultimate dog lover and first mate implies that life will 
> not be worth living until that dog is in this boat or on shore(1/4 mi. 
> away).I stand up and yell  GO TO SHORE. Dog is deft. Grab line out of 
> lazz.,tie off on swim ladder,lower ladder just past 90 degrees,dog 
> clambers up like it's not even close to his first trip up a swim 
> ladder.Four good shakes pretty well coats the cockpit and occupants with 
> water and dog hair.Carol pats the seat beside her in invitation, but Bud 
> (the newest canine conniver) doesn't want a wet cockpit seat,he drips his 
> way across the settee to his throne on the v-berth.Bud has found his mark.
>   Tuesday,THEE big day,Carol greets me with a box from my brothers and 
> sisters,a garman gps map 76 s. Now ,I not only know how fast I'm going,I 
> have an inkling of where I'm going.
>   Wednesday,each day gets a little warmer and a little more windy. The 
> topper of the week had to be when,with 5 people and 2 dogs aboard , we 
> caught up and passed a Mac 26. As we quickly over took him the skipper 
> said "ok where are you hiding the other motor". Thanks Stan.
>   Thursday is warmer and windy,85 degrees and 10-15 kts.Get ready to drop 
> the hook for lunch,then decide to get the wind on the stern,it's pushing 
> us at 1-2 kts,(sails furled),good enough,latch the tiller extension in 
> Stan's auto pilot,and slowly cruise for a 45 min. lunch.
>   Friday the wind picks up to15-20 kts,whitecaps abound.I have my niece 
> and her friend out for the day,their more into napping and catching the 
> sun than risking their well being,showing off the canvas.Slowly cut the 
> sails back all day long,by the time we headed in I was down to about 1/2 
> the main and no jib.
>    Saturday,storms from the north were heading south. Winds were 20-30 
> kts. gusting 30+. Time to tear down and pull the boat.the wind was 
> directly on the beam , when tied to the dock.Not wanting the wind working 
> on the side of the mast as I lowered it, I tied the bow off on the end 
> of  the dock facing the wind,lowering went well. UNTILL the water-skiers 
> came by with the mast half way down, sure ups the incentive to crank faster.
>   Sunday was a day of much needed rest.
>Monday the cold weather arrived,frost on the deck as I gave last 
>inspection for the road.the trip home was long,but uneventful ,traffic was 
>lighter than normal both ways,a blessing.
>Sorry Ed, but family ,free dock and room and board won out,but I will make 
>it to Hartwell one of these days.If you arrange a sail-in at Hartwell next 
>year for the Rhodies,I'll come for sure.
>Jerry Lowe
>S/V Country Rhodes
>__________________________________________________
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Jim White
Le Menagerie
www.lemenagerie.blogspot.com