[Rhodes22-list] It was a beautiful day in the ....

[elle]

B.,

Thanks for your good wishes & for thinking things
through for me...you've given me food for
thought....without these pointers I wouldn't know
there's a better way to do something until it kicks me
in the  *&%# ....these are on the list to walk through
when MW arrives.

The wheel has a brake, so securing the rudder for a
few moments while I move around will not be a huge
problem....

The addition of a clam cleat, though, for the outhaul
is a good idea ...tying the excess line around the
horn cleats was a pain in the
neck...literally.....hard to reach w/ the boom in the
upper position. I'll go back & reread the discussion &
print out at Peter's diagram... I was trying to
remember just which line y'all had been discussing
lately but couldn't remember...discussions of the like
will be much easier once I have the actual thing here
& don't have to try to remember.

After reading your suggestions, I think
walking-through a sail before even leaving the dock
willhelp me answer the questions you have raised.

I am looking forward to experimenting with the balance
as you have described. I remember doing something
similar as a kid with my bicycle (downhill, no hands,
of course!) and later, on my motorcycle...(that didn't
balance as well as the bike! let's hope any mishaps
are not as spectacular as my earlier ones!

thanks again...

 elle



--- Bill Effros <bill at effros.com> wrote:

> L.
> 
> I'm glad you love your boat.
> 
> Following a recent thread, how will you secure
> excess outhaul line?  
> Initially this issue will come up primarily at the
> beginning and end of 
> each day only, while the boat has little pressure on
> the mainsail.  I 
> imagine you will have to walk around the pedestal,
> and that you will be 
> able to control the wheel while standing in front of
> it.  Still, I find 
> it takes one hand to steady myself (I like to hold
> onto the boom) while 
> securing the excess line with the other hand; tiller
> between my legs.
> 
> That would leave you one hand short, standing on the
> wrong side of the 
> pedestal.  This is no big problem when everything is
> calm.  But when the 
> wind picks up suddenly, and you need to perform this
> maneuver under more 
> trying circumstances made worse by the fact that you
> may decide to reef 
> too late, it could be a problem, and you should know
> how you intend to 
> deal with it.
> 
> It seems to me you want to be on the wrong side of
> the pedestal for the 
> shortest possible amount of time if you are single
> handing.  I think 
> that Peter's suggestion of a clam cleat, rather than
> the horn cleat 
> standard on most boats, is something you should
> consider.
> 
> Also, think about the hole in the boom where the
> mainsail retracting 
> line exits.  The edges of the hole are sharp.  You
> are short.  Ideally, 
> you would like that line led back on the outside of
> the boom behind the 
> pedestal.
> 
> The Rhodes 22 is an extremely finely balanced boat. 
> By that I do not 
> mean "tender".  When properly balanced, it will sail
> faster and better 
> under any conditions.  The balance of your boat is
> different from almost 
> everyone else's.  Keep moving things around to find
> the best balance.  
> Most of the rest of us move from side to side to
> counterbalance the 
> "dynamic equilibrium".  You plan to stay in the
> middle.  That will make 
> your initial balance far more critical.
> 
> The balancing process is a lot of fun.  You will be
> able to see 
> measurable changes simply by moving relatively small
> weights around.  
> When properly balanced, the boat can be steered for
> hours on end simply 
> by shifting your weight in the cockpit.  You may
> develop a technique of 
> locking your tiller whenever you move forward of the
> tabernacle, and 
> learning to steer simply by shifting your weight
> while you use both 
> hands for other tasks.
> 
> The most difficult thing to do while sailing
> single-handed on the R-22 
> is going to the head.  With all of your weight on
> the starboard side, 
> and the inability to quickly adjust to port, things
> always happen.  I 
> always heave to.  Also be aware when you have people
> on board that when 
> they go to the head they will throw off the balance
> of the boat, first 
> in one direction then in the other.
> 
> I'm sure you will have a great time, and we are all
> interested to know 
> what you must do to tame your slightly different
> beast.
> 
> Congratulations!
> 
> B.
> 
> 
> 
> elle wrote:
> > Albemarle!!....great sailing on the shakedown
> cruise
> > today before Watermusic comes truckin' to her new
> > home. We did find out that the boat doesn't leak
> so I
> > don't have to get the burial-at-sea option...;^)
> >
> > Rummy, you'll be glad to know that we lowered the
> helm
> > seat considerably...the boat sits differently when
> in
> > the water than on the trailer & it was apparent
> > immediately that the seat was 'way too high. We
> used
> > the orange CG approved PFD's to determine the
> > height...one PFD? Two? Here...sit on this....we
> did
> > have fun with this....one PFD is just the right
> amt. &
> > Dido fixed the seat before I left Edenton.
> >
> > Bill E., you were commenting on the accessibility
> of
> > the sheets. You'll be glad to know that all lines
> were
> > accessible w/o any Rosemary woods -type 
> maneuvers.
> > Rather than being an impediment to moving, the
> > pedestal gave me something to brace against or
> hold
> > onto when moving about the cockpit (and when
> > boarding!). I can also drape lines over the
> binnacle
> > to keep them with in reach. There is room on both
> > sides of the pedestal to move by & it doesn't
> intrude
> > into the cockpit any more than the tiller does. 
> >
> > So I thank you both for your comments as these
> gave me
> > specific items to check out today.
> >
> > The wind was fairly brisk & gusty today & seas
> were
> > lumpy, giving me a chance to experiment with
> various
> > amts of sail & combinations thereof...the boys
> > (Jonathan & Tino) were a bit wide eyed when we
> heeled
> > a bit more than they liked....;^) But at least
> this
> > time they were out in the cockpit rather than down
> > below like last time!
> >
> > We stiffened up nicely even tho' we were a bit
> > overcanvassed ...was easy to shorten the jib
> alone.
> > Just will take coordination to get my skills back
> > after so long...I have to think about my moves but
> it
> > will soon become second nature again...I hope....
> >
> > We had the genoa out all the way & when I unfurled
> the
> > main. I was amazed at how we accelerated when I
> pulled
> > the main out only about 50%. We really were
> flying!
> >
> > Standing behind the wheel, I was able to brace my
> feet
> > on either side of the cockpit ..easy to shift
> weight
> > as needed...so that is a good fit & comfortable
> for
> > control.
> >
> > One thing I'm very pleased with is the engine
> rigging.
> > The other time we went out I could not take the
> boat
> > out of the launching area nor bring it back in as
> the
> > engine controls were out of my reach. Now, with
> > throttle & gear shift on the pedestal, it was a
> piece
> > of cake to get it in & out of that launching
> > area...even while another boat was also in the
> > launching space.
> >
> > So I am anxiously awaiting the call that will set
> the
> > delivery date...hopefully by the end of the month.
> >
> > ;^)     ;^)    ;^)
> >
> > elle
> >
> > We can't change the angle of the wind....but we
> can adjust our sails.
> >
> >
> >  
> >
>
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> >
> >   
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> 


We can't change the angle of the wind....but we can adjust our sails.


 
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