[Rhodes22-list] Old new owner of an 86 Rhodes 22

[Shawn Boles]

Hi Everybody:

My name is Shawn Boles and, along with my wife Melva, I have sailed my
Montgomery 17, *grey mist*,  on Fern Ridge Lake near Eugene, Oregon for the
past decade. Although she is a fine sailboat, I found her harder to handle
in my early dotage and too small for comfort.

Having lusted after a Rhodes 22 ever since I saw one at the 1990 Annapolis
Boat Show, I got  Stan to put me in touch with Chis Geankoplis, who kindly
took us out on *Enosis. *Needless to say, the boat was everything I
remembered and more.

I ordered a 'recycled' 86 and my brother Pat took her on a 3 day trial in
Albemarle Sound before she was professionally transported to Eugene. The
trip was almost a disaster as GB sold me a trailer with a rusted through
axle  which broke about a 100 miles from Edenton. - Fortunately the driver
heard it give and stopped before it gave way completely. He found a new
axle, repaired the trailer ($$$) and safely delivered the boat last Friday.
Her working name is *Sweet Babu* and we will christen her sometime in the
next week or so.

Pat flew out and we got her rigged and in the water on Saturday. The Mast
Hoist system worked like a dream. I have only had her out twice (once in
4-6 winds and once in 10-12) and am just beginning to learn her ways.  As I
fumble my way towards competence I hope that I can rely on the patience of
the group in providing answers to my many questions.

Cheers,
Shawn

PS I got a Torqeedo 1003 long shaft electric outboard. It can drive the
boat at 5 knots and Pat was able to use the motor to keep her headed into
30 knot winds while adjusting sail on his trial run. It is a beautifully
designed piece of equipment.
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