[Rhodes22-list] More Outboard Problems

[Christine Allison]

<So, I dropped
> sail & started the engine, intending to motor the last 3 - 4 nm rather
than
> having to tack back & forth numerous times across the rough Sandusky Bay.
> But, conditions for motoring were impossible.  Not only was the prop
> alternately lifting clear of the water & slamming back down, but the
> sloshing fuel in the mostly empty gas tank was causing the engine to be
> intermittently starved of fuel & stall out>

Roger and others have written that it's possible to make progress sailing
long after the possibility of motoring becomes non-viable.  This is
particuralry true with the Rhodes which motors poorly into a chop.

You should be able to work to windward under sail in a blow.  No, it's not
necessary to be able to beat into a steep sea close hauled. Just easing the
sheets a little and sailing a close reach may get you to a windward
destination more comfortably and quickly

It's really important to get your rig set up so that you can easily reef the
main and get your head sail area reduced to the point where the boat will
stay on it's feet during gusts.

This may mean buying a 125%/100% reefing gennie. Even better, installing a
foot attachment fitting,  second forestay, and halyard to allow hoisting of
a purpose bit storm jib.

Yes... hopefully you will seldom need to set such a sail but for a small
boat like the Rhodes they are not particuraly expensive and absolutly
indespensable in situations like the one Roger describes.

Richard Smith