[Rhodes22-list] Rhodes 22 vs. Precision 23

[Mary Lou Troy]

Nick,
I've never sailed aboard a P23 but we know some people who have one and 
we've been aboard their boat. I think the PHRF will tell you the absolute 
difference if all you are interested in is performance. The Rhodes 22 is 
not a slow boat but as generally equipped it is likely that it is slower 
than a P23. Precisions are well-built boats. I think they are still less 
expensive than a Rhodes 22.

Having said that, this is why we have a Rhodes 22 rather than a Precision 23:

1) Safety: A Rhodes 22 will sail well in extremely light air and yet, 
because of its redundant safety features (IMF, positive flotation, 9 stays, 
solid construction), we are confident in the heavy air we get in occasional 
Chesapeake t-storms. We don't particularly enjoy heavy air sailing and 
don't seek it out but if it finds us we are confident that we can weather 
the storm. A P23 feels lighter and does not have positive flotation.

2) Comfort: The Rhodes 22 has the most comfortable cockpit of any size boat 
I have ever been in. It is comfortable for sailing, sitting at anchor and 
for napping. The pop-top means that moving about the boat and into the 
cabin are easy at anchor or at the dock. It gives you more places to stand 
and stretch at anchor which translates in the ability to stay aboard longer 
without feeling cramped. P23 - no pop-top,  not many places to stand up and 
we don't like the wide open cabin in comparison to the R22 set-up.

3) "Cruisability" The R22 has a superior galley, good head facilities, and 
great storage. We've gone 9 days on ours and the only thing that kept us 
from going further was our time not the boat's limits. P23 - minimal 
galley, not as much storage.

Value all depends on how you intend to use the boat and why you want the 
boat in the first place. If you are after speed, there are faster boats. If 
you are looking for an ocean-going microcruiser, it's not a Rhodes 22. If 
on the other hand you value responsiveness (fun to sail), stability, 
comfort for daysailing or cruising and cruising capability, a Rhodes 22 may 
be the best boat, the best value or even the only boat for you. Having 
looked at and initially considered P23s I suspect they are great sailing 
boats, good for limited coastal conditions (like an R22 though perhaps 
without quite as wide a range) and good for occasional overnights. We spend 
every weekend on our boat from April to November. We daysail from the 
marina, we cruise, we anchor out overnight. We wouldn't be as comfortable 
doing that on a P23.

If you need bottom paint, you need bottom paint. If you are a racer who 
pulls your boat after every race you may not need bottom paint and you may 
get an extra 10th per mile. If you are going to leave your boat in the 
water for more than a couple of days at a time you'll probably want bottom 
paint and you won't notice any performance difference because everybody 
else has bottom paint.

I'll leave the barrier coat discussion to someone else.

Hope this helps.

Mary Lou
1991 R22 Fretless
Swan Creek, MD /  Ft. Washington, PA

At 09:14 PM 10/26/2005 +0000, you wrote:
>Hope somebody can help
>
>I am in the process of buying a Rhodes 22 and I am doing my homework. I 
>have read various articles & reviews and seen the boat at a boat show.
>
>Does anybody have experience of comparing the Rhodes vs. the Precision 23 
>in terms of performance, quality and value?
>The PHRF rating for the Rhodes 22 given by Practical Sailor was 258 and 
>from what I have seen the Precision 23 is about 230. ( I am not sure if 
>the Rhodes value is with the IMF main sail).
>
>Any advice/views in having barrier & antifouling paint? does this slow 
>performance significantly?
>
>
>Advice & comments would be welcome
>
>Nick
>__________________________________________________
>Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list