[Rhodes22-list] Chris, another thought

[Tootle]

Chris,

You have received a lot of information about the Rhodes 22.  You have not
received comments (at least not on the open forum) from the two guys that
Stan referred you to.  I would suggest that with all being said, and from
what you said that you are looking for, you wait to get comments from Chris
and Bill.  Chris teaches school and is planning his next summer trip to the
Middle East.  Bill is probably up to his elbows in work since his company
was divested from the parent conglomerate.

Those two other guys will probably respond to your direct email.  I would
ask you to have them reply by open list so that we all can see their point
of view.  Additionally, ask Stan if the California people still have their
R22 and for their name so that you might contact them.

As to the Gulf of Mexico, you have not only Jim White, but there are others
who have just not responded to the questions.  Remember that some people hop
on this forum and then disappear for a time, only to reappear again.  Many
of those can offer you accurate assessment of your questions.

Now for the ringer, Stan is in his 80’s.  There is no junior Stan at the
plant.  Elton is his brother and insist that he is retired, just going to
shows for the camaraderie.  If you ever go to Edenton and the famous plant,
you will find it has two main buildings.  The facilities are World War Two
vintage buildings.  Current work on the Rhodes 22 is primarily in the front
building that has Stan’s executive s suite and the famous Spitzer Hilton.

The back building was deserted until about three years ago.  Stan used it as
dead storage and its environs were an unmitigated disaster.  Calvin needs a
new boat painting studio.  So Stan has spent time and money trying to
rehabilitate the back building.  If you go in now, you would not have any
appreciation to the scene four years ago.

The point of the above is that resting in the back building is Stan’s dream. 
There is a unfinished hull which measures about 27 foot long.  Since Philip
Rhodes died in the 1970’s, Stan could not get him to design a boat when Stan
saw the market and wanted to fulfill his dreams.  Stan collaborated with a
member of the Gozzard family of Canada to design a bigger hull. 
 
It is one thing to prototype a one off hull, it quite another to put a hull
into production.  Stan is still looking for a backer to make more of his
prototypes.  Instead of moving to retire in Panama, move to Edenton and let
Stan show you how to build your own boat.

As to the Rhodes 22 sailboat, there is not an equal made.  There is a French
company that obviously has studied what Stan has done, but have not equaled.
  
Another aspect of this discussion that has not been brought up is ballast. 
There are several water ballast boats that are bigger than the R22.  I
belong to those who say, who know, that water ballast is not equal to real
ballast, even if in a stubby keel.

Ed K
Greenville, SC, USA
"Sailing and boats have been a great way of life, not easy and not very
remunerative, but very rewarding." George O'Day



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