[Rhodes22-list] Advice on boat purchase

[Charles Henthorn]

Kathy:
      If you want to race --- the J24 is what you need.  However, if you just enjoy sailing with flexibility and style --- the Rhodes22 is the best overall.  Its fast but not a racer.
      I just purchased a recycled Rhodes22 from General Boats this past  Father's Day weekend, hauled it all the way from NC to Indiana into an area that had never seen one before.  I've had nothing but compliments and requests to come aboard from 30 plus boat owners (ranging from Catalina, O'Day, McGregor, Highlander, Melges, J boats, Hunter) most of whom comment its the best lookin boat in our area (even considering their own).  I'm prejudiced as you can tell---but I'd encourage you to continue to consider R22 as you shop.
  Rex H
  P.S.---It's as tender as you permit it to be but if, as in my case, you have a non-sailor for a spouse, who might decline to participate when it gets fun -- you can down-size the sail area the IMF and furling genoa easily letting you convert an otherwise great sail into a stoll in the park.
    
kathylong at comcast.net wrote:
  This is my first post to the Rhodes22 list so I hope I am sending this email to the correct address. 
I sailed and raced for about 10 years 'when I was young' spring, summer and fall every week on the Navesink River in NJ - blue jays and later lightnings. Now I am a middle-aged, wife and mother and I would like to get back into sailing. My husband (a non-sailor) and I have taken the first step by joining the Raritan Yacht Club. We now have to figure out what type of boat to purchase. The members of RYC day sail, race and cruise. (There was no 'crusing' at Monmouth that I remember.) 
If we race it would be mostly for fun. We have an active crusing program at RYC with neighboring clubs. 
We looked at the J24, but we think it would not be a good cruiser - or not as good as the Rhodes. 
Any feedback on the Rhodes for fun racing, day sailing and cruising (weekend trips)? The most people we would have on the boat would be four. More typically just 2.
Any one on this list from NJ?

thank you,
Kathy Long 

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