[Rhodes22-list] New Member

[Todd &#38 Julie Zumach]

Hello Rhodies,

My name is Todd Zumach.  I live in northern Wisconsin in a small town called
Phillips.  I just purchased a 1986 Rhodes22 last week from Ron Finelli (from Eden
Prairie, MN). Ron and the previous owner, Bill Sparhawk took great care of this
fine boat.  I hope that I am up to the challenge of maintaining and sailing her.
 I have the boat moored at a 900 acre lake just 10 minutes from my house.  My
wife and daughters are looking forward to many day sails as well as a trip or two
each summer up north 80 miles to the Apostle Islands.

The Rhodes is my second sailboat.  I purchased a 1975 South Coast 22, three years
ago.  It was (and still is) a project boat that was fun to sail.  However, I
found that the 4'9" of draft was just a little too deep for a few spots on the
local lake.  After I made that first (impulsive) boat purchase I started
researching would would be my next boat.  I had stumbled across the Rhodes 22 a
couple of years ago and thought of it as the Mercedes Benz of 22 foot trailer
sailors.  I continued looking for potential new boat and pretty much settled on a
Catalina 25 swing keel.  Then, the keel cable on the South Coast broke and I got
a leak that resulted in the boat sinking (fortunately in only two feet of
water)on Father's Day this summer. I got the boat off the lake and will repair it
and put it up for sail.  Now, my search for the perfect boat began in earnest.  I
rediscovered the Rhodes 22, sent for information from Stan, with the idea being I
would buy a recycled boat.  I also searched the internet for any boats for sale
(there are not many). In mid-July I found a boat in Michigan and was trying to
set up a time to see her when the owner emailed me to say he had accepted an
offer from another party.  Then, just several days ago, I found Ron's boat (The
Katy Doyle) and it was only four hours away.  I left him a message on Friday
night, talked to him on Saturday and my wife and I took a test sail on Sunday
8/8.  I knew as soon as I saw her that this was the boat!  We had a great sail
with Ron and his wife and agreed to pick up the boat last Thursday.  I wanted to
get her out this weekend, but the Admiral (my wife) had other plans in mind for
me, so I spent part of the weekend going over the boat and getting to know her.  

Tonight, I took my daughters to the lake.  They helped me set up the boat and as
we were ready to put her in the water, the winds died!  So, I have my first
"sail" in. Hey, we used the IMF to raise the main, even though we were under
motor power.   I suspect I will get a chance to sail her more in the next few days.

Well, I have taken up enough of your time.  I will probably lurk out here and ask
the occasional questions.  There is so much to learn about this wonderful boat!

Todd Zumach
Phillips, WI
715-339-4486