[Rhodes22-list] Was lift, Now Big Boat Fever

[Leland]

Caesar,

I definitely agree with Rummy on this one.  Bigger boats certainly have
advantages over our Rhodes, but the most significant one to me would be
overnight comfort and ability for lengthy voyages.  It just doesn't seem
like many people have the time for cruises that last more than a weekend. 
Even the retirees down at my marina don't take their yachts out much.

Sailing small boats is just so much simpler and so much more fun.

I just posted some pictures of Art, Allison, and I sailing that were taken
by a friend of mine.  While he was photographing us, we were photographing
him:

http://old.nabble.com/file/p26307105/At%2BEase%2B10-5-09%2B003.jpg
At+Ease+10-5-09+003.jpg 

http://old.nabble.com/file/p26307105/At%2BEase%2B10-5-09%2B009.jpg
At+Ease+10-5-09+009.jpg 

Dan has a Freedom30 and I love his boat.  30' foot is not that big and it is
designed for easy singlehandling.  Self-tacking jib.  It sails well with
just the mainsail.  Lazy jacks.  All lines lead to easy reach of the helm. 
No stays or shrouds supporting the mast.  Yet with all these conveniences it
still takes a significant amount of time and energy to uncover the main,
untie it, and try to keep the boat pointed into the wind to raise the
mainsail.  Taking the sail back in and putting it away takes longer.  Try
reefing a big mainsail in high winds.  Sailing his boat singlehanded if far
easier than getting it in and out of his slip without help.  He can do it
but it's a tremendous amount of effort compared to our small boats.  It's
just as easy to manhandle our boats in and out of slips as it is to motor in
and out.

Smaller boats than a Rhodes22 are more fun to sail; but then the sailing can
wear you out, get you wet, and cause you to spill your beer.  Can't have
that.

As Goldilocks would say, "Ahhh, this boat is just right!"

Lee
1986 Rhodes22  At Ease
Kent Island, MD
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