[Rhodes22-list] Wanna Be with questions

Thu Mar 26 09:33:06 EDT 2015

Alex:
I doubt that you will get any detractors for the Rhodes 22 on this list. If
there are detractors, they probably have gone elsewhere. As you said, every
boat is a compromise and involves a choice of features and characteristics
that only you can identify. I love the Rhodes because I want a boat the has
comfortable accommodation both inside, in the cockpit and on deck without
being one of those high freeboard floating bedrooms. I want a boat the sails
comfortably and well but I don't have any inclination to race unless someone
is coming up behind me in which case my wife says I turn into a frantic
animal - but what does she know. If racing is your thing and matters more
than accommodation and comfort some other boat might be your best choice but
that said the Rhodes is not a cow either and for normal cruising I think
most people would be quite happy with its performance. If, however, you want
to use the boat as a small cruiser for trips lasting  weekends or weeks at a
time, I doubt that you will ever regret having the Rhodes. The swing
keel/centreboard arrangement alone is wonderful.

One advantage of the Rhodes is this list. There is a community of people out
there who have run into every problem and fixed anything that can break. So
you always have a great source of help for any sailing issue or problem you
might face.

You asked about longevity, and given that my boat is now about 35 years old
perhaps I can give you some perspective on that. First, I should stress that
newer boats are built much better than the older boats so they should run
into fewer problems. That said, nothing lasts forever and in my case I have
been actively and exhaustively rebuilding my boat for about 4 years now and
still have two years to go. I am on lake Ontario so work is restricted to
summertime. Some think that is crazy. No, EVERYONE thinks that is crazy. The
loss of the use of the boat for so long, the expense involved and the time
taken up cannot be justified for a boat that was worth a few thousand
dollars when I began. That said I don't regret the decision because I have
thoroughly enjoyed doing the work - except maybe scraping 35 years of
antifouling off the bottom and buying a newer boat was not in the cards for
me. This is my second boat restoration - the first took 10 years - so either
that proves that rebuilding boats can be its own reward or I just can't
learn from experience.  I like the design of the Rhodes so much I just doubt
that any other boat would satisfy me now.

The point here is that while nothing lasts forever, there is also virtually
nothing on the Rhodes that cannot be restored to new condition either. The
only boat that I have seen the people on this list completely write off was
one that had sat in a field for years while the deck core completely
disintegrated. I did fairly extensive repair of the core on my deck but it
was not beyond salvage. Certainly, however, If I were looking at used Rhodes
22, or any other boat, the first thing I would check out thoroughly would be
the condition of the deck core. Newer Rhodes have closed cell foam core so
deck problems should be much less of a problem if they ever occur. I am not
sure when the switch from plywood to foam core occurred but I would
definitely give considerable weight to the deck core material if considering
a used boat.

I have the standard mast without mainsail furling and from what I have seen
in the threads on this list, I would be reluctant to spend the significant
sum involved in getting this option. It seems to me to be more trouble than
it is worth but on the other hand I have not had that gear to compare and I
am pretty sure that having expressed my doubts, others will be prompted to
express adamant disagreement.

In general, if you want  a beautifully designed, quality built, cruising
small sailboat I can't imagine that the Rhodes 22 will ever disappoint. If
you buy used make sure the boat is thoroughly and knowledgeably inspected or
get a boat that has been rebuilt by Stan in which case it seems entirely
unlikely that you will run into any serious problems.

Graham 

-----Original Message-----
From: rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org
[mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf Of The Rhodes 22 Email
List
Sent: March-26-15 12:39 AM
To: rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org
Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Wanna Be with questions

Hello Rhodies.   I've
been lurking on this list for a couple weeks and cyber shopping for months.
I get to meet Stan in June and
finally see the Rhodes 22   I hope to
fall in love despite her aged looks.   I
also wanted to query the fleet   I've  been sailing on a Buccaneer 18 for
over 30
years.  I started crewing on the same
boat as a kid.     The Bucc is a described
in Sailor Anarchy as "a fast boat.  
Initially very tender, but firms up just before she capsizes"   She lacks a
self bailing cockpit.   Mine is not set up for racing, I just play
around. 

 I'm looking for a couples cruiser I can dock at the local
reservoir (southern Ohio) and sail more frequently than my dingy.    I also
hope to take her to Lake KY or the
Great Lakes for a long weekend once or twice a year.   I tend to keep
equipment forever, and am looking
for a quality boat that will still be serviceable in 20 plus years when I
retire.    Therefore I'm avoiding plywood decks and iron
centerboards.    I'd like a stable boat I can take my dad out
on.   He taught me to sail the Bucc when
I was a kid, but is no longer agile.   

I wanted to give the group a chance to sell me on this boat    My experience
is almost entirely one design
on inland waters where few other sailboats play.     My Great Lakes
experience is mostly paddling a canoe down the shore (bits of 4 lakes).
I'm
looking at a few other trailer sailors.  

 Catalina 250 is reportedly very difficult to launch without
a full team and plenty of time.    It is
more boat then I want.

 Hunter 23.5   Day
sailor with accommodations suitable for a quickie after sunset, but not
necessarily designed for a full weekend.  
The lack of a real head is a negative.  
I did like the 23.5 when I saw it in a boatyard.   I haven't seen a 240 yet.
The 250 reportedly makes a lot of leeway.   Not many of these heavy boats
were made..  The 260 is too wide to legally trailer. 

 Macgregor 26 S (not the motor cruiser) is analogous
to a Chevy Impala.   Fast but poor
handling, they are inexpensive and plentiful.   
To misquote Dr. Who: "It's smaller on the inside".    Predictable necessary
upgrades include a
roller furler jib, new sails,  an ida
sailor rudder,  reseal the fittings and upgrade
the head door.    I'd likely also end up
rewiring it.     I've
rafted up with one.    She kept up with
my Buccaneer fairly well, being light and long.   The styling is a product
of the 80's but so
am I!   

 Percision 23:  I
haven't seen one.   The reputation is
unpredictable quality in a family cruiser.  
Not many built.     Good performance, but no head.   

 Rhodes 22.   Appears
to be an older Mercedes.    I haven't seen
one yet.     The reputation is well engineered
but expensive.      Refined
handling, but a slow boat.     Relatively good access to the foredeck may be
vital in Lake Erie chop.   Many parts custom to
'Mercedes' (GB) which is not a problem as long as Mercedes remains
healthy.     I will look at a recycled or
recently recycled boat out of the corral.   I doubt I will commission a new
sloop. 

 I'm not expecting an Ultimate 20, but hate to entirely sacrifice
performance.  The IMF seems very cool, at the cost of roach and battens. 
  Does anybody know how it affects Portsmouth
numbers, etc.?.    Perhaps Stan can invent
'in boom furling'.    Every boat is a compromise.   I
appreciate any insight or thoughts from the Rhodes fleet.    

Alex Cole

Urbana Ohio

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