[Rhodes22-list] Tom Trenkle and Joe SINNETT

[Tootle]

Captains:
            Both of you guys are considering moving down from big boats to
the Rhodes 22.  I have an experience to relate that both of you should
consider.  A couple of years ago I took a couple for a test sail with my
wife.  They had recently sold their bigger boat, about 30 foot because they
could not get to the coast to sail it often enough.  The husband wanted a
sailboat and liked the R22.  It turned out that the wife wanted certain
conveniences of a bigger boat.  It really involved the marine head.  The
head room on a R22 just was not what the wife wanted.  She wanted stand up,
turn around and an enclosed shower.  Well that just was not yet available
for the R22.  I understand they bought another 30 footer.  Both of you guys
need to take the wife on a R22.  This should be not only for a sail but for
her to evaluate the powder room which is only available on newer boats.  The
boats with the porta potty are not layed out the same in the cabin.  In
order to accommodate a marine head Stan has made physical changes.  So an
older boat with the porta potty would have to have major renovations to
accommodate a marine head.  Stan suggests that older hulls are usually not
worth the cost of the change, although he has done a couple.  That is, he
does what the customers want done.

Tom, 
	You may have a couple of Rhodes 22 owners within driving range.  You might
put your location in big print so that they will notice your interest. 
Also, look at:
    http://www.frappr.com/rhodes22

	Both of you guys need to keep in mind that the Rhodes 22 is not a big boat,
but a very good and safe sailboat.  With Stan’s devices it is easily
trailerable.  Compared to the other 22’s on the used market it is expensive,
but us owners believe worth it.  It is not a production boat but a semi
custom made boat.  After the new hull and deck come out of the molds it is
modified for a specific person.  Stan reacquires a few hulls and recycles
them.  However, there has never been a large number of R22’s made.  He has
been making the R22 since the late 1960’s.  The first 20 years were
contracted out.  Because of inconsistent quality he began controlling
production.  He makes some new boats each year, but you would have to ask
him for the lead time.  It easily could be one year.  If you were to want a
new boat, this is the time to commit.  Stan's facility is not a new high
tech place.  This is the time of the year to create fiberglass hulls, decks
and accessories.  Temperature is a big factor.
                As to recycled boats, the oldest ones that I have heard him
recycle lately are post 1984.  He may use 20 years as guide line.  What I am
telling you is there are not that many good R22’s available on the market.  
                If you want to race, then save a bundle and get a standard
rig.  But if you want to just enjoy sailing, try the IMF.  As to the recent
comments on vertical battens, Stan designed and had built the new IMF. 
Rummy is the resident guru on the design.  Stan connived him into being the
test boat.  There was another vertical battened mainsail around a few years
ago.  It was said to have worked very well.  That one was designed by a
Rhodes owner and another loft, but it was a one of a kind.  So Joe if you
ever got a R22 and wanted an IMF with vertical battens, it can be done. 
Understand that Stan has probably considered all the issues 20 years ago.   
                Tom, in the meantime you may want to see other information. 
Look here:
http://www.geocities.com/blew_skies/
http://astro.temple.edu/~bstavis/pr/rhodes.htm

Ed K
Greenville, SC USA







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