[Rhodes22-list] coming clean

[Ben Schultz]

Since the cat’s out of the bag, I’ll go ahead and share with the list — I’ve decided to trade in my Rhodes 22.

I’ve been pretty quiet around here the last couple of years, so for those who are new or don’t remember, I joined the list on Sailnet back in the late 90’s.  We bought a show demo boat from GB in 1998 and have sailed in the lakes around New Orleans ever since.  We’ve had some great trips, exploring the Mississippi Gulf Coast as well as all of the little towns around Lake Pontchartrain.  

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina passed almost directly over our slip.  It filled Velvet Elvis with water, and she rolled on her side for several months, but of course, didn’t sink.  I drove her out to Edenton where Stan helped me stretch insurance money.  A friend of mine drove out with me to pick her up after an amazing recycle.  We checked into the GB Hilton after business hours and spent the first part of the night sitting in the like-new cockpit, laying waste to a bottle of Mount Gay.  That night is definitely one of my favorite memories.

The last couple of years, we’ve found ourselves with two additional crew members, each of whom is growing like a weed.  We also found ourselves looking to cover more ground and stay aboard for longer periods of time.  So we’ve bought a new Beneteau Oceanis 41.  It’s currently undergoing commissioning in New Orleans.  I’ve not seen it in person, but I have a couple of pictures that were sent to me (attached).  This will probably be confusing, but the new boat will also be named Velvet Elvis.

I’m quite certain that once the boys grow up and leave the nest, I’ll be shopping for another Rhodes 22, so keep the fleet in good shape for me!

Our broker has given us decent value on the boat as a trade.  I know they’re planning to do some overdue maintenance, but they have the boat listed.  I’ll look for a link in a little bit, but it’s Murray Yacht Sales in New Orleans, if you want to give it a search.  I glanced at their listing, and I know that I can list lots of features that they don’t have up there.  We’ll see how good they treat me before I let them know what they really have.

I’m hoping at least some of you will make your way through Louisiana and go sailing with me.  I’ve got a good friend who recently moved to somewhere mid-South Carolina.  I don’t know when I’ll be out that way, but I will be sooner or later, and when I do, I’m planning to invite myself sailing on Lake Hartwell.

Happy Sails,
Ben S