[Rhodes22-list] Cockpit Waterproofing response to Rick

[Jay Curry]

Rick.

I understand the apparent effort to dispute my comments. They reflect
my experience with the boat, reports by other owners and are the reasons for
exploring the 2 things I mentioned. They are explanatory not critical.

I find your comment about the 175% jib being OK in all conditions to be
contrary to so many comments from other owners and my own experience. It is
a great sail. The 22 is a great boat. But the 175% has a very narrow purpose
and optimal operating range. Fully deployed in light winds it is great fun.
But in moderate winds, help is needed to use it safely. It overpowers the
boat, stresses the rigging and must be furled and unfurled when tacking to
prevent hanging it up on the shrouds or just to maintain complete control.
Reefing it leaves the boat severely unbalanced. In gusty winds or high wind
conditions, the only option is to furl it in and run on the main only. As a
last resort, you can always drop the main and use the excellent wind trap
provided by the flared hull alone.

The flared hull does indeed provide additional buoyancy in severe heeling
conditions. The boat will not capsize under normal or even severe
conditions. But, if the stern is lifted by a wave, the bow can dig in,
steering can be lost and allow the boat to be pushed over. If you are not
aware of these very rare occurrences, you have not looked. It was a common
point of discussion last time I was on the list

My 100% jib and self tailing sheet leaves the boat perfectly balanced in
even strong winds. With both the main and jib fully deployed or even reefed,
I can release the tiller, let boat speed keep the rudder centered, relax and
use small main sheet adjustments to change course. I can even get up and
move around the boat letting it make its own minor course corrections with
the shifting weight. Try that with a 175%.

Water on the top of the seats is of no concern. Any overflow from the seat
drains simply falls to the floor. The floor drain is completely inadequate
for anything more than rain or minor splashing. One wave over the stern
could put gallons of water on the floor and leave an easy path over the top
edges of the floor pan UNDER the seats.  Especially under any significant
heeling condition. It seems very reasonable to me to consider a way to
handle that kind of event.

Self bailing would require creating and opening under the rear seats to the
stern. It would be a simple and relatively easy fix sacrificing only a bit
of storage. Sealing the floor alone is useless.

I do not deliberately go into rough conditions. I am an experienced and
capable sailor. Much of it on Lake Superior in 27 to 36 foot boats. There
are few days there when there is no chance of storms. They can blow up in
minutes and hit you with 40 to 60 MPH gusts. Any extended trip is subject to
quickly changing conditions with even the best preparation and planning. In
my present location, tides, currents, narrow channels, mountain valley micro
climates add even more complexity and opportunities for quick condition
changes. The prudent motto has to be what can happen will happen. I am just
researching some ideas, not throwing shade at the boat.


--------------------------------------------------
From: "Rick" <sloopblueheron at gmail.com>
Sent: Saturday, February 18, 2017 1:36 PM
To: "The Rhodes 22 Email List" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Cockpit Waterproofing

> Jay,
>
> I take issue with a couple things you have said.
>
> With a furler, the 175 genny is safe, stable and easy to use single handed
> in all conditions.
>
> The flared hull not only helps to keep the cockpit dry, it contributes to
> the "no capsize guarantee" of the R22 while underway.  What are these
> stories of capsizing?
>
> Also, with the model you have, you should have  3 cockpit drain holes: one
> in the self-bailing well and one at the stern end of each bench.
>
> Enclosing the cockpit benches would reduce the volume of water the cockpit
> holds, sending the extra water into the cabin instead of under the
> benches.
>
> If you're surfing and getting swamped by waves over the stern, trail warps
> or a sea anchor to slow down and maintain steerage.  But the real problem
> here is you are sailing the boat in conditions too severe for its design.
> It is not intended for open ocean sailing in severe conditions.
>
> Rick
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