[Rhodes22-list] Stan's Go Fund Me page

[stan]

Dear Rhodies all,

I am deeply touched by the concerns and offers but let me clear up a bit 
where general boats, now pushing 65, and founder stan, pushing 97, stand 
and need to keep standing.

What the company and its combination chief cook and bottle washer do NOT 
need are more sales.  As many of you know and point out, the Rhodes 
sells itself.  But alas, it can't build itself and deliveries have 
fallen to zero, everything that could manage to be sailed, now having 
been sold.  We go to the show so as not to lose our largest intangible 
asset; the best land exhibit location at the # 1 sailboat show in the 
nation, earned the hard way: By being at its very first show (where I 
believe Chris (G) became intrigued with our take on what a writer of 
books, who is no fan of the Rhodes because it does not look to his 
conventional eye like a good old sailboat should, but nevertheless had 
to write: "From the deep blue ocean to the shallow coves, the Rhodes 
covers it all". So thanks but please, no need for monetary 
contributions.  With my mind and body having started parting company in 
my nineties what we need is physical help. (there was the time I would 
drive a Rhodes to the Chicago Show, set it up and then dash back to NY 
to pick up a Catalina 22 for that company  and turn right around and get 
it set up in our Chi space before calling it a day.  And think nothing 
of it.  Hate to face it but the body tells me I am no longer up to that.

Thoughtful email from Mike just hit my inbox so I will go with it to 
complete this email of mine:

  * /"//Find a boat to exhibit at the show."/

While we usually have 3 boats in our land space and one in the water for 
demo sails, I would be delighted to settle for 2 boats on land and just 
as delighted to settle for only one. I don't think an owners boat should 
be subject to that traffic plus it might accidentally get sold.  We have 
a used Rhodes at the plant that was donated to us by a USN submarine 
commander who when he had enough of underwater boating elected to buy 
one that can't sink so bought a Rhodes at a show and years later 
returned it to us saying it owed him nothing his having had such 
pleasure from it.  It needs a day or two of in cabin carpentry.  Selling 
that one at the show has the great advantage of having one less Rhodes 
wannabe haunting me daily since the last show.  In addition to, or in 
place of, we do have a couple wanting to go larger (which we encourage, 
our experience being they will miss the Rhodes and buy another when 
downsizing). Their boat is said to be in nice shape and not far from the 
show but they have no trailer and we have a new one at the plant and 
they will be thrilled if we accidentally sell their Rhodes which has an 
electric out board.

.///"Arrange transportation for you to and from the show.
/

If we did manage to take the boat at the plant to the show I am skinny 
enough to go with that one.  Or, if we are taking the new trailer to 
pick up Jose's boat I can be strapped to the trailer if no room in car.  
Getting home is a decision I can put off 'til after show.
//

  * / "F//ind convenient accommodations for you—sleeping on the boat is
    probably not the best option"/

Not needed. Living on board at show is normal for me.

/. //"Organize support from Rhodies at the show to talk with visitors 
about the Rhodes 22."/

One of my quips has been I did not start talking 'til my thirties; In my 
nineties I can't stop.  I can handle this, plus Phil and Dawn are coming 
from Canada.  Phil has been coming for so many years he can't break the 
habit.  Plus I look forward to meeting Dawn.  But anyone who wants to 
come to a 'Rhodes Class' reunion, meet each other, sell boats and put up 
with all my stories, that is great with me.


Now I would like to do a brief bit of networking.  I am still (even more 
so) in the market for partnering, not investors, no financial investment 
is wanted. The stream of candidates has been impressive, Bill Wickman 
ventured the problem is me.  And I think he may be right.  Like Groucho, 
I am nervous in going with anyone who would have me as a partner.

thanks again for all your interests in keeping the Rhodes from joining 
the giants of this misguided industry like the O'Days and Hunters and 
Gulfstars whose banks had to tell them when it was time to throw in the 
towel.  You haven't seen anything 'til you see what is brewing in the 
wings at general boats.

stan