[Rhodes22-list] Delayed Gratification

[Sling]

     I fell in love with the Rhodes 22 at the Annapolis boat show 16 years
ago.  It rested on a trailer surrounded by an admiring crowd.   Many in the
crowd were most likely awed owners still mesmerized by the gleaming hull and
the promise of adventure at the sight of a new Rhodes.   
     This Friday Elton delivers my “new to me” dream boat to Big Water
Marina on Lake Hartwell GA/SC.  I have enjoyed the process of this boat
coming to own me.  I have met a great group of people, on-line and in
person, who have helped make the delivery of S/V Second Wind a reality.    I
sailed on my first Rhodes with  Peter Thorn.  He had somewhat reluctantly
put his boat up for sale a number of years ago.  I called him and he
informed me that he already had a bid on it pending a survey.  If things did
not work out I would be the next in line.    He invited me to join him on a
sail from New Bern down to Orient NC where he would sail in a single hand
race later in the week.    It was a confirmatory sail for me.  This boat
felt as great in the water as it looked on the trailer.    I was “next in
line” on a number of Rhodes over the next few years.  Always the bride’s
maid and never the bride brought me to Edenton to see if Stan could fix me
up.  Stan invited me out for a different kind of confirmatory sail.  I had
some personal nagging ageist thoughts that I might be too old for this
dance.   I retired seven years ago.  Stan proved to me by example that I had
at least 20 something more years of sailing ahead.    I “listened” and
learned from all of you over the “lurking” years so I could make informed
decisions when the time came.    Thanks for the debates over what is needed
on a Rhodes 22 and why, thanks for the written sailing accounts and
accompanying pictures and art work that kept the dream alive on cold winter
nights and when the economy tanked.   I will take pictures of what you
helped launch.   I have invited Rummy to the launch and he has kindly
accepted.  I wish you could all come but I could not afford that amount of
Mt Gay.   Best Wishes,  Joe Riley, almost on Second Wind.       

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