[Rhodes22-list] New Member

[LELAND KUHN]

Hello group!

My name is Lee Kuhn and this is my first post.  I live on Kent Island which is just across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge from Annapolis, MD.  I've been happily married for over 25 years and have a 14-year old son.  Hopefully I'll remain happily married after I buy this boat.  I work in administration at a children's hospital in Washington, DC and just retired from the army reserves after 28 years.  Although I've sailed on a variety of boats over the last 30 years, I definitely consider myself a novice sailor and this will be the first boat I've ever owned.  I've taken the US Sailing basic keelboat course and I rent 24' Rainbow daysailers from the Annapolis Naval Station.  I've read everything on Rhodes22.com and Rhodes22.org.  Twice.  I sailed on a 22 at this year's Annapolis Boat Show (thank you Jay, Elton & Stan) in a mild breeze and had a wonderful afternoon sailing last Sunday with a local Rhodes owner in slightly higher winds (sorry about burying the rail Alice).

Stan has invited me to visit his factory this upcoming Veterans Day weekend.  I have a deposit down on a 1986 recycled boat.  This is my first boat and I don't want to spend a lot of money.  If I can get my family hooked on sailing, I'd like to trade the boat in for a new or higher-end recycled per Stan's buy-back policy.

Question #1:  I don't have any problem paying someone else to work on a used boat to get it in good condition, but I'm not that interested in paying for the peace-of-mind for a two year warranty.  From what I can tell, a recycled 1986 may be about twice the price of a used one in "good" condition.  Do you think most of that cost is justified in labor and parts, or justified by the two year warranty?  I'm sure I'll get a better idea of recycling costs during the factory tour.

Question #2:  Any recommendations for owner upgrades?  Stan knows I'm cheap and has advised me accordingly.  The Rhodes22.org FAQ has been a tremendous help.  I'm considering the following:
--Used 9.9 Merc outboard (I told Stan I wanted something strong enough for the Kent Narrows current.  After reading today's posts, I think this might be overkill.  The used is about half the price of new, but I'm also interested in reliability.  Would new and smaller be a better value?)
--2nd coat of bottom paint (Cheap and I can tell when it's time to repaint if it's in a different color than the 1st coat.)
--Replace front opening ports with fixed ports (To minimize the chance for leaks.) 
--One solar panel (Two would look better, but I assume the increase in charging capability normally wouldn't be worth it.)
--Cockpit cushions (Hopefully Stan can find me some used ones that are acceptable.)
--Replace interior cushions (The only thing my wife insisted upon after viewing the photos of the boat.  I have no clue how much it'll cost.)
--Bimini (I think I will hate it when I don't need it and love it when I do.)
--Upgrade electrical system (It comes with a 12V/3 circuit system and one battery.  I primarily plan on using the boat as a daysailer but have no idea how much juice is typically used for an overnighter.  Two batteries worth it?  Shore power?  Don't they make something that converts 12V to 110 if I need it?)

Question #3:  Do you have any advice in general that's not found on either website, or that's so important it's worth repeating?  Anything really important that you know now and didn't know then?

Thanks for your help!

Lee

And one last stupid question.  I assume S/V is followed by the name of your boats.  What does S/V stand for?

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