[Rhodes22-list] speaking of lightning,

[stan]

The plant was surrounded by sailboats - several with masts up - the record still stands - not a single Rhodes hit, only the plant:   The computer mother board fried, one of three 400 amp fuses blown and the plant floor main circuit breaker melted - still no power on the floor but the computer back on line this AM.  Next time we put  a mast on the roof and put the whole plant on a trailer.

When power goes off, baby production goes up.  So with idle labor, we broke water at the ramp to launch our new 20 year old baby (who weighed in at 26'-7") to test the notion that newborns sail instinctively.   A small old outboard got the christened Hampton Rhoads out of the tight ramp harbor - and immediately stopped.  The crew had a reasonable explanation:  They forgot to put gas in the tank.

Actually I was touched by their faith in their captain.  Adrift at sea with an old Tanzer tiller at hand, a discarded set of spars, rigging and sails from a discarded Rhodes 22, a motley crew of non swimmers and non sailors, non English speaking at that, all in a leaking hull with no foam flotation or bilge pump or even a pail.   In addition to a useless motor there were no paddles, flares or cell phone.  It looked like the opportunity to initiate the GB lone job benefit:  Free burial at sea - liberally offered since employees would not have to wait until death to be eligible..  

I was not going to throw in the towel (Oops, there was no towel) without at least seeing how she jibed, came about and pointed before trying to sail into our small harbor maize with its prevailing unfavorable wind direction.  The good news: I could forget this still birth and get back to the RCR project.   The bad news: I found my self uncharacteristically ecstatic.  Under canvassed we flew through the water without leaving a wake (or sitting shiver), we turned on a dime (OK, would you believe a quarter) in either direction.  I could discern no slippage.  The performance was flawless as we sailed into the narrow harbor opening, made a sharp starboard move around the end of the breakwater pilings coming about into a wind from behind destined-smash-into-the-dock course, only to make a perfect turn for a gentle dockside landing.  I was going to have to build this dam boat.  All we have to do now is find the money.   A curse on your lightning fears - now that you see what real trouble it has caused.

stan/gbi