[Rhodes22-list] Several Questions about a New-to-Me Rhodes 22

[Thomas Polise]

Peter, do you know where to get replacement solar panels to match those provided by GB?

> On Oct 20, 2019, at 10:45 PM, Peter Nyberg <peter at sunnybeeches.com> wrote:
> 
> Allyn (or Baker),
> 
> Welcome to Rhodes 22 world.  That is a lot of questions.  I’ll take a poke at a few of them, but first…
> 
> Since you found this list, I’ll assume you found the home website (rhodes22.org).  There’s a FAQ section there that has a lot of nicely categorized information.  Also, the history of this email list going back to 2002 is browsable and searchable (rhodes22.org/pipermail/rhodes22-list/).
> 
> 1) The two small solar panels that I’m assuming came with your boat are enough for most people.  The simplest thing to do would be to try to replace your cracked units with similar ones.  I, for better or worse, am not ‘most people’ when it comes to my Rhodes 22, so while I have installed a 100 watt panel, I found that was not enough, so now I have 2 of them.  I make YouTube videos about my boat which you should be able to find by searching for ’s/v Silverheels’.  For solar installation info, look for episodes 29 and 60.
> 
> 3) Why do think you need a bilge pump?  I do a lot of cruising, and I don’t have a bilge pump.  I do get some water in the bilge.  I’m pretty sure that for the most part it comes in from the deck/hull joint when I bury the rail.  I try not to bury the rail, but when I do, a few minutes with a sponge and a bucket takes care of the problem.  I could go on, but… most people who do install bilge pumps do tie them in to the sink drain with a ’Tee’ fitting of some sort.  I’m not sure what you mean when you say that ’no floor panels lift out’. The entire interior of the Rhodes 22 cabin can be removed.   You  just need to keep removing screws.
> 
> 4) I’m not sure about the spreaders.  There’s a bolt that goes through the mast that holds the base of both spreaders in place.  I don’t see how one could be loose without the other.  In any event, tying the spreaders down when moving the boat is SOP, so the previous owner did nothing wrong or unusual in this regard.
> 
> 5) I don’t see why the water line to sink would be in any way inaccessible, but I’ll use this as an opportunity to point out that not all Rhodes 22’s are identical.  It would be helpful to know if your boat has a fully enclosed head (i.e. has a door), or a semi-enclosed head (i.e. does not have a door). 
> 
> 6) Most Rhodes sails have been made by Doyle Sails.  I can personally recommend Chris Howes as a contact (chowes at doylesails.com).
> 
> 7) There is no headliner in the usual sense.  General Boats prides itself on the number of molds used in the construction of the boat.  The entire visible interior surface is the product of one of those molds.  Nothing in the overhead or sides of the cabin is accessible. Fortunately, I doubt the anchor light wiring is in these inaccessible spaces.  Unfortunately, although you can probably get to the anchor light wires, you would probably have to disassemble most of the cabin to do so.  This is probably less work than you imagine. 
> 
> 8) Another list member has recently asked me for details about the Rhodes 22 mast raising and lowering gizmo.  He had wanted to buy one from Stan (General Boats), and Stan had said that he would bring one to the Annapolis show, but he didn’t.  So, I’m in the process of putting together that documentation, and I’d be happy to send you a copy as well.
> 
> 
> So, there’s that. But we tend to be a reasonably sociable group here on the Rhodes 22 list (that’s why there’s a list), and we’re all left wondering about you, and your boat.  And believe me, we care about both.  A little more background information would be appreciated.
> 
> Peter Nyberg
> Coventry, CT
> s/v Silverheels (1988/2016)
> 
> 
> 
>> On Oct 20, 2019, at 9:21 PM, Allyn Baskerville <allynb at adsne.com> wrote:
>> 
>> It's probably not good etiquette to ask several questions at once, but I'll see how far I get. I just brought home a 2001 Rhodes 22, and I purchased it as sight-unseen, but I figured for the price it was worth it. There were a few things misrepresented, but I'm pleased overall.
>> 
>> 1) The solar panels are no good. They are cracked, and I'd like more capacity. Has anyone upgraded to 100W solar?
>> 2) The water tank has been replaced with a blue storage container like what you'd get from Walmart. The lid is screwed on with 3 dozen or more screws, but I don't want to take it apart. That needs to go. What is an acceptable replacement?
>> 3) I'm going to be spending an extended time cruising next summer, and I need to install a bilge pump. The most logical place I can find is under the battery next to the head. I'm not sure how to get the water out, but the sink seems reasonable. I'm not able to see how to get the drain line to the sink since no floor panels life out.
>> 4) The previous owner tied a spreader down when he moved it. It doesn't look bent, but one side seems considerably looser than the other. I don't see how to tighten these down. Any suggestions?
>> 5) I'd like to replace the water line to the sink. Again, I don't see a way to access it to do this. Any help?
>> 6) I don't believe the boat has been sailed since 2011. The genoa has had the edge exposed to the sunlight since then, and it's faded. I'm expecting it to be weak. Are there suggestions for a source for Rhodes sails?
>> 7) I pull loose the power distribution panel, and the anchor light wires are cut about 5" from where they are screwed on. I don't see the cut end anywhere behind the panel. Any suggestions as to how to get access to the wires? Do I have to drop the headliner?
>> 
>> Thanks - Baker
>> 8) Is there a source for the mast stepper or plans for a DIY?
>> 
>