[Rhodes22-list] First few sails

[KUHN, LELAND]

Geoff,

 

Great pictures!

 

Your story reminds me of how exciting and scary it was the first times
out with my Rhodes.

 

I too tried to go as far as I could and return before sunset which
usually meant me docking the boat in the dark.  It took me awhile to
figure out that the outbound destination resulted from making the boat
go as fast as I could get it going.  Getting back required skills on
multiple points-of-sail.  

 

Or maybe the boat just wasn't ready to go home.

 

Good luck!

 

Lee

1986 Rhodes22  AT EASE

Kent Island, MD 

 

 

-----Original Message-----
From: rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org
[mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of Geoff Farrell
Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2011 10:14 AM
To: The Rhodes 22 Email List
Subject: [Rhodes22-list] First few sails

 

Okay Rummy. I should be sailing right now but I have been worn down by
your

appeals for sailing conversation. But, I am going to keep this short
because

I really do want to go out for a sail soon.

 

It took me three days to prep the boat for launching because people kept

coming over to see the boat, crawl through it, admire it, etc. I felt
like I

was displaying her at a boat show.

 

The launch went smoothly; we didn't even need the extension. It was a
bit

unnerving as somehow just about everyone in our condo development got
wind

of the launch and either showed up at the ramp or lined the sides of the

marina as I motored to the slip. I thought I was a float (afloat?) in a

parade.

 

We stepped the mast on the water and it came up without a hitch,
although I

won't admit how long it took me to complete the rigging process. One
very

encouraging thing- after we were done I had a long time sailor, captain,
and

racer come to check out the rigging and he said he wouldn't adjust

anything we did without first going for a sail and observing the
rigging.

That made me feel good.

 

First sail I was a bit sloppy but the boat sailed like a dream despite
my

ineptitude. My wife and I could handle the tiller with just one finger.
I

completely forgot to lower the CB until we had been out a couple of
hours.

So much fun.

 

We've been sailing at every opportunity. I was hesitant (afraid) to let
the

full 175 out during the first three or so sails. But, then I finally got
up

the nerve, and, wow. It is exhilarating! I can't believe how well this
boat

sails. It seems so well balanced. During our last sail (Sunday) I used
the

captain's seats for the first time. Now that's living.

 

All our sailing thus far has been in Mobile Bay. It's a very large bay.
My

short term goal is to start sailing early enough in the day so that I
can go

far enough to see the other shore and still return by sunset. So far I

haven't been able to see the western shore but the chart shows it so I'm

assuming it's there.

 

My wife Joyce has really taken to sailing and is enjoying it very much.
I

think she had a worse case scenario in her mind but has been pleasantly

surprised by the stability and comfort of the boat and the pure fun of

sailing.

 

I've added pics to my album at:

 

https://picasaweb.google.com/geoffreylfarrell/Rhodes22?authkey=Gv1sRgCKL
8sbTOlv-LPg&feat=directlink

 

 

Geoff

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