[Rhodes22-list] HR 27

[Ronald Lipton]

Thanks for the status report.  I hope that the "manager" search works out. 

A meeting would be very useful, but it might be difficult to get all the 
interested parties
at one place at one time.  We could try an initial phone conference call 
for interested
parties.  I am not sure what people are able to implement, but a 
internet-based
call, using Skype, netmeeting, or Xmeeting would be an interesting 
experiment.
The advantage is that once a working solution is found there can be more 
meetings
scheduled without the travel constraints that most people have.

Ron

Wickman, William E wrote:
> I have been off the list for awhile, but have not been idle.  I have
> just returned from Edenton, NC where I spent the better part of a day
> with Stan discussing the prospects for the new 27 footer.  I even got to
> take a look at the prototype hull.  Here is what I took away from what
> was a wonderful visit with a very wise man:
>
>  
>
> 1)       There are a lot of us out there that are enamored with the idea
> of being involved in the boat building business.
>
> 2)       There are a lot of us out there that don't have the time, or
> are not willing to make the financial and lifestyle sacrifices to
> dedicate ourselves to the task of boatbuilding; especially the
> development of a brand new product.
>
> 3)       There are a lot of us out there that would like to see this
> boat built.
>
> 4)       Many of us out there have some money that we are willing to put
> up for seed capital.
>
> 5)       Stan's plate is full.  He is full of new innovative ideas, but
> his time is totally consumed with the Rhodes22.  And I do mean totally
> consumed.  Stan shared many new concepts with me, but taking them from
> an idea to a product takes time and effort.  Stan just does not have it
> in him to take them forward.  The Rhodes22 is his baby, and he is
> content with focusing all of his efforts on it.  In short, Stan has a
> wealth of institutional knowledge that he is willing to bestow on this
> project...just not the time to manage the project.
>
> 6)       That said, Stan is eager to see the HR27 off the ground, but is
> perplexed as to what the next steps should be.  He has a great deal of
> faith in the collective knowledge and experience of Rhodes22 owners and
> feels that combining this knowledge could create a wonderful new
> boat...but how?  
>
>  
>
> As we concluded our visit, it became clear that we, the owners group,
> must come together if we really want a new 27 foot boat built with the
> same innovative characteristics as the Rhodes22; a boat designed with
> the input of Stan and the collective knowledge and experience of
> Rhodes22 owners.  It also became clear that someone will need to step
> forward to manage the overall project; someone with time on their hands
> and the ability to spend a lot of time in Edenton, NC.  To that end,
> Stan is meeting with someone next week that might fill that role.  We
> will have to wait to hear from Stan on that one.
>
>  
>
> In the meantime, the obvious next step is for interested parties to
> meet, face to face, with the purpose of generating some momentum and
> formulating a plan of action on how to get this project off the ground
> (or in the water, so to speak).  Again, Stan doesn't have the time or
> inclination to coordinate this event.  So my homework assignment from
> Stan is to take a stab at scheduling such a meeting.
>
>  
>
> So....which of you is interested in attending this meeting?  Let me know
> who you are and where you are located, and if you are willing to make
> the commitment to get together.  Based on the response, we will set the
> location and date.  Please respond back to the list, or you can contact
> me directly at wewickman at spectraenergy.com .  
>
>  
>
>  
>
> On another entirely different note, Stan is too polite to mention this
> to most, but much of his time is spent taking phone calls from people
> seeking free advice.  It's not that he minds talking to people; it is
> just that many of these people don't bring their business to him.  So,
> if you need help from Stan (and he is always willing to give it) and you
> occupy a fair amount of his time, you might want to consider sending him
> a gratuity.  Also, to the extent that you need parts, etc., try Stan
> first.  He might have a used part for much less than new, or if you buy
> new then the sales will help keep him in business. 
>
>  
>
> And on a final note...the General Boat Hilton looks great!  Stan has
> bought some new furniture and fixed up the bathroom.
>
>  
>
>  
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Bill Wickman (aka Bahamas Bill)
>
>  
>
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