[Rhodes22-list] shopping list

[AndrewCo]

Hi Cowie,

I purchased my recycle Rhodes last year, and I’ll share my thoughts.

The first question is how is the boat being delivered?  If Elton is going to
do the delivery, then I would say wait on the gas tank, anchor, etc.  When
Elton delivered my boat we went to the local candy story (read West Marine)
to get those things.  The real advantage was his boat builder discount, and
I bought what we really needed based on how and where I sail.  For example,
the families summer home is by the beach in a protected bay.  I needed a
second anchor that can be launched from the stern for overnight anchoring;
otherwise the boat would be aground as the tide went out.  Another example
was Elton made me get 2 of the 2.5 gallon gas containers instead of the 5
gallon because they are much easier to carry and I’m extremely grateful to
him for that. 

Other things on your list I would get now and have Stan install them.  

1.)  VHF Radio:  I also got the Icom 422 with the remote command mic.   I
really recommend the radio and remote mic. I’ve sailed to Block Island
before and want to do it with my Rhodes in 2009.  Stan, in his wisdom,
upgraded my Rhodes to have an antenna on the mast, because, while Block
Island is not far into the Atlantic Ocean, it is the Atlantic Ocean. 
Second, I did a fractional lease on a Beneteau 373 for 3 years in NY Harbor. 
It’s a great place to sail, but lots of ferry and commercial traffic.  They
are all great captains, but you don’t have time to leave the helm to get to
a radio when you need it.  Having a remote mic or a hand-held VHF at the
helm is safety issue.  I always have both the 422 (25 Watts output) and a
hand-held (5 Watts) when I sail.  Stan installed mine and did a great job. 
The remote mic plugs in and clips right under the seat by the lazarette.   
If you only need 5 watts of VHF (1 mile or so), then a cheaper option is the
Uniden Mystic (~$300, has simple charts in it) or the Standard Horizon H850S
(no charts, but Digital Selective Calling-DSC).  There are cheaper VHF
radios, but I know these have DSC built in (see point #2)

2) GPS: I would also have Stan install the GPS.  I have the Garmin 478
because I use it in the car and boat.  If you can, have Stan wire the GPS to
the Icom, I strongly recommend it.  Then register the MMSI number with US
Boating.  I sail more than 3 miles from land at times with my daughter,
nephews and brother.  If I ever have to call Mayday – I want to be able to
press the ‘Red’ Distress button on the Icom and have it send my GPS
coordinates out.  I’m in NY harbor so all the commercial traffic has DSC.

The 545 GPS gets XM weather as does mine.  It is great to see on weather
radar if a thunderstorm is going to hit you or miss you.  I have had several
sailing days extended when others were heading in because of marine
warnings.  I just pay for the months I’m sailing for the service.

On the transducer, unless you are fisherman, I would skip it.  Between the
charts and center-board, you’re all set with a depth sounder.   I would get
the GXM 31 instead of the transducer.  And besides weather, you also get XM
radio (see point #3)

3) Radio: I also had Stan install a AM/FM/CD/MP3 player in the cabin with
water proof speakers by the helm.  I sail with my daughter and a nephew so
keeping them entertained was a priority.  But now I use it every time I go
solo sailing.  I also plug the XM radio from my GPS into the player to hear
music with a lot less commercials.

4)Life jacket – I love my inflatable PFDs.  I have one for my wife, daughter
and myself.  I always wear it when solo or with kids on board.  When I have
kids under 12 onboard, everyone wears one.  I find the non-sailor ones are
much more comfortable to wear.  The non-sailor ones don’t have the built in
harness.  If you are always sailing in-sight of land, then you will probably
never use a tether, and thus you’ll not need a built in harness.  I would
also get myself a manual one now.  We all have automatic ones, but I would
buy myself a manual one now (but still get the automatic for my wife and
daughter).  The automatic ones go off when you don’t want them to.  The real
trick with inflatable PDFs is to find the ones with the cheapest cartridges. 
Kids pull the tab, they get wet, they have to be tested every 2 years, I
take out the cartridge if I fly somewhere with my PFD.   Save money, get a
manual and be more comfortable without the harness.  

5) And you have the last item you have already purchased: using this list. 
Before making any major purchase, I run it by this list.  They have saved me
hundreds of dollars.

Good luck – you’ll have a great time.

Andrew

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