[Rhodes22-list] Ballast report : picts of 2nd reef position in 8-12 mph winds (with gusts in the mid teens)

[Lowe, Rob]

John,
I've got the IMF so I'll skip on the furling main, but I've considered the idea of adding additional weight forward.  When coming about or in a stiff breeze, the bow tends to wander quite a bit and I wondered if the boat would handle better if the bow was down further in the water.  Especially since I've got the 9.9hp hanging off the stern.  I've got some lead bricks at home and might try putting them in the "hallway" next season.- rob

-----Original Message-----
From: rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org [mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of John Shulick
Sent: Friday, October 19, 2012 7:33 PM
To: rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Ballast report : picts of 2nd reef position in 8-12 mph winds (with gusts in the mid teens)

Hi Rob,

 The modifications for this year was the addition of 300 lbs of lead inside the hull. 100 lbs. port and starboard in what I call the "hallway" meaning the 2' or so between the sleeping platform in the bow and the bulkhead between the head and the galley. The remainder went under the floor in the galley. All was secured to prevent shifting while underway. ( VERY important ! ! ! )  The other mod was to replace the standard battens with full battens set parallel to the foot of the Main (for rolling the sail on the boom)  and the addition of the 2nd reef. Jerry at Sailcare referred to the 2nd reef point as geezerising the boat but I beg to differ. Eventually I would like to move up to a bigger boat and take on the Great Lakes but first I need to get the Admiral and myself used to being comfortable when the wind begins to whistle in the rigging. Standard main Rhodes (at least mine) have a rotating gooseneck and outhaul cap. I added a cleat to the outhaul cap so it can be used as an adjustable topping line. I also put a block at the top of the mast so the topping line doubles as a pennant line as well. (that's how the pirate flag got up there.) Using the topping line in conjunction with the Boom Vang allows me to control sail twist at all point of sail.
Enclosed is the link to Dwyer for the parts needed if someone else is interested in boom furling.
https://www.dwyermast.com/items.asp?cat1ID=30&cat1Name=Booms&familyID=5&familyName=DM-275+Boom
<https://www.dwyermast.com/items.asp?cat1ID=30&cat1Name=Booms&familyID=5&familyName=DM-275+Boom>  

 Conclusions : With the additional ballast and the use of boom furling my Rhodes has become a very well behaved boat in all conditions. I can single hand the boat in any weather up to 25 mph of wind and still lock the tiller to go below for a few moments to use the head or mix a beverage being confident a stray gust wont get me into trouble. Less heeling means more wind energy is transfered to driving the boat forward rather than pushing it over.  What I need next is a modern Rhodes with an IMF and the diamond keel for a friendly race around the barrels. 3 yrs ago Mike Chung showed up at Kinzua for a weekend when I had the original (37 yr old) sails no mods and he beat me like a stepchild in pointing ability.
A rematch would be fascinating, any Cleveland Rhodie's reading this ? ? ?