[Rhodes22-list] Why is the R22 Not Reviewed?

[stan]

A few points for the record (but don't quote me).

1.    Re Media Recognition:  Julie and Bill have it right. The Media
recognize the boat's eminence - primarily because of its famous naval
architect - but simply cannot feature it.  When Soundings wanted to do an
article on the Rhodes I told the writer that the editor would not accept it
because we do not advertise and we understood that policy of not pushing a
Rhodes at the expense of say a Hunter who does advertise.  So the writer
said he would do the article on the characters behind the scenes and
anything about the boat would then sneak into Soundings print.  The same
when "Sail" wanted to do an article about trailing.  They used pictures of
the Rhodes to compliment the story but since we did not advertise they
played down the brand name.... and we understood that need.

2.    Re Practical Sailor Review:  I think someone has the notion that
Practical Sailor did their review without sailing the boat.  The PS review
is another story but for now let us touch one aspect:  Before Practical
Sailor wrote their unwanted review, they test sailed the Rhodes at the Miami
Boat Show with show boat prospects on board on a wild 18 to 20 knot day.
When the reviewer got off the boat the only thing he said to us was "maybe I
should buy one of these" and disappeared. The review was published about a
half year later.

3.    Re Contacting GB:  Most owners know they can call me at home in the
middle of the night (no other time of course) send e-mails and faxes or come
visit the plant and go for a demo sail and grand "tour" - even stay over in
the plant guest room at no charge. What we do ask is that everyone
understand why we cannot socialize at boat shows.  They cost us a fortune
and allow us a very limited time to get our story across to mobs of show
visitors.  So shows are not the venue for our going into owners own
questions or going out for a fun sail just because we are sitting there with
a boat ready to go..  Everyone is welcome to visit us at shows - but until
after show hours, bear in mind why we are there and pick up a brush to paint
rosy pictures for new prospects. .

stan/gbi

Original Message ----- 
From: "Julie Thorndycraft" <julie at circle7.net>
To: "The Rhodes 22 mail list" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2004 8:43 AM
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Why is the R22 Not Reviewed?


>
> Gary,
> There is a very simple reason for this. All of the boats below pay for
> advertising in those magazines. Stan does not pay for advertising and the
> magazines choose to exclude the Rhodes 22. At most they will give it a
> one-line blurb with contact information but more recently, I haven't even
> seen that.
>
> Personally, I think that is misleading to the consumer who may not realize
> that a money game is being played. However, this applies to any magazine
> that supplies information on 'product' and I don't care what industry it
is
> in. Practical Sailor is exception because they don't have advertising.
>
> If you want information on the Rhodes, you have to see it at a show,
stumble
> across it on the internet, find this email list, or know someone who has
> one. As an owner, I personally think that it is the best of breed and
> definitely a step above any of the boats listed below.
>
> Julie Thorndycraft
> Excelsior, MN
> s/v Blue Loon
> 1996 Rhodes 22 - recycled 2003
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Prof. Gary Lynn" <glynn at stevens.edu>
> To: "'The Rhodes 22 mail list'" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2004 7:27 AM
> Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Why is the R22 Not Reviewed?
>
>
> While I am intrigued by the Rhodes 22, I am confused that in the three
> small-cruising-sailing books and many magazines that I have read
(including
> the August 2004 issue of Sail that specially featured trailersailers), why
> the Rhodes 22 is not included when other trailerable sailboats such as the
> Precision 21, MacGregor 26, Hunter 260, Potter 19, Catalina 250, and
others
> are reviewed.  Can anyone explain this?
>
> I am aware that Practical Sailor reviewed the R22 by itself from the
General
> Boats website.
>
> Thank you.
>
> Regards,
> Gary Lynn
> A prospective trailer-sailboat owner
>
> __________________________________________________
> Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
>
>
> __________________________________________________
> Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
>