[Rhodes22-list] Rhodes 22 Evaluation

[Chris Crispel]

Dear Rhodes:

Last Saturday, Chris Geankoplis (commonly referred to as Da Greek), picked 
my wife and I up at our home (sold our car in anticipation of the sale of 
our home as the first step to our relocation to Panama) and drove us to his 
home in Medford (about 13 miles from Ashland) to where his wife, Alice, and 
The Boat resides.

We had plenty of opportunity to see the great cockpit, the comfortable 
coamings and storage built into it.  The area below was as clever and 
unbelievable goodies found aboard a 22 ft boat.

However, it was abundantly clear that the vessel is just to small for my 
frame 6'7" and girth (these numbers will remain undisclosed).  The bedding 
in the main cabin could me made larger to accommodate me and the pop top 
could be raised another 3 inches and the seatback in the saloon could be 
moved forward so that my head is not angled forward due to the ceiling and 
the head enclosure could be modified for my long knees, the hatch would have 
to open whenever I would need to use it, etc, etc.

In the final analysis, although a cork floats, (as does the foamed Rhodes) 
if you were in it at sea, it may not be the most comfortable environment in 
which to experience an even short ocean passage.  The cockpit although large 
and comfortable is potentially dangerous on an ocean going boat if the bow 
is lifted out of the water by the weight of the water in the cockpit.  (yes, 
I know that there are three drains and the foam will not let the boat sink) 
As we know all boats are a compromise and it appears that we are not 
prepared to make the number and types of compromises on a boat and trailer 
that will sell for close to $50,000.

Chris, independent of my evaluation, seeing me in the boat and attempting to 
move around in it, feels that the vessel is just not sized for me and, 
further, it's intended use would put it out of the picture as well.

So, there you have it.  I would like to stick aroud on the website for 
awhile and enjoy all the political commentary and all the nautical talk that 
warms the cockels of my heart.

Mucho Gracias


Chris C