[Rhodes22-list] First Sail and Thanks

[Lowe, Rob]

Jay,
Congratulations on your new boat and your first sail!  You will find there is a lot to learn about your new boat.  I had a standard rig for years and moved to the IMF last year and I'm still learning new things about my new boat, and I know the Rhodes pretty well already.

To me the trailer is just a device to move the boat around.  While I don't trailer near as much as you did/do, I do have to pull and launch each year.  But at only 20 miles, it's not a big deal.  Spend more time on the boat and forget about the trailer!  And do tell us more about your sailing experiences. - rob


-----Original Message-----
From: rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org [mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of Jay Curry
Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2012 10:29 PM
To: rhodes List
Subject: [Rhodes22-list] First Sail and Thanks

Thanks to everyone who responded to my questions regarding trailer positioning. I now know what I need to do. Much of what was suggested, I tried or did on the way from Edenton back to Port Angeles. The effort to correct one situation usually caused others. I ended up settling for the least of the evils and got the boat home fine. I will be moving it backward to a more weight centered position on the bunks. and considering a bow bunk of some kind later that provides support but is shock absorbing as well. It was clear that resting weight on the keel or resting the bow on a roller or rigid bunk were not good ideas. Thanks again.

We got Dragonfly out for her first sail today. We did not get a chance to sail her when we picked her up or before we got her home. I was considering a Compac before settling in on the Rhodes. Boy am I glad I did not get the Compac. Our first boat was a Hunter 260. The last was a Hunter 33. Both sailed great when the winds were up above 8 knots and even up to 30 knots in the 33 with no real problems. But, both boats, like the Compac were fat and slow. When I saw the Rhodes hull design and sail configuration with the cruising features it had, I thought I had found both a light cruiser and one that would sail fast and easy.

Today the winds were light and variable. I did not want to go out in stiff winds for the first sail. All I can say is WOW. The boat was quick to accelerate in winds my other boats would have laughed at. She maneuvered easily in almost no wind at all. The balance was excellent. I expected to be sitting some on the water just checking things out. Instead we had a wonderful, easy and pleasant sail.

I now understand the comments I have seen on the list about 15 to 25 knot winds I previously thought were of little concern. It is clear she will be a handful in stiff winds, but the reefing sails and quick power release features make that something I am looking forward to. I think it is going to be some great fun and that the boat will be very fast even under heavily reefed sails. Know the weather, know the water conditions and then Reef often, reef early and stay safe.

I could not be happier so far about having the Rhodes. I am still not sure I like the trailer, but the boat is everything we thought it would be and more.

Happy to be Rhodies.

Jay & Kathy.




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