[Rhodes22-list] Lowering the Mast to the Stern

[Roger Pihlaja]

Phyllis,

We trailer our Rhodes 22 with a 1995 AWD Chevy Astro minivan.  It has
the middle of the three factory towing packages available in that model
year & is rated to tow 4500 lbs.  AWD makes a tremendous difference
in launching and retrieving as does the use of the trailer tongue
extension on a slimy launch ramp.  Prior to the AWD Astro, we trailered
our Rhodes 22 with a RWD Ford Aerostar minivan and a 4WD AMC
Eagle station wagon.  All had 6 cylinder engines.  The RWD Aerostar
was the only tow vehicle to ever have a problem with retrieval & that
was on a very steep launch ramp.

It takes me about an hour from the time the boat is on the trailer out of
the water until we are road ready.  We lower the mast to the stern.  Our
stays are secured with the pins & split rings.

We store our Rhodes 22 on its trailer at the Midland County Fairgrounds.
Midland County rents out the animal and vender display buildings as off
season winter storage for boats and RV's.  Six months of secure indoor
winter storage cost me $192 this year.

Roger Pihlaja
S/V Dynamic Equilibrium


----- Original Message -----
From: "P&M Beals" <beals at rci.rutgers.edu>
To: <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Sent: Sunday, November 07, 2004 5:33 PM
Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Lowering the Mast to the Stern


> Hi all.
>
> Back from our day (Sat.) of taking the boat out and lowering the mast.
>
> Our friend brought his jeep to trailer us out...Does anyone actually use a
> mini-van to trailer their Rhodes in and out of the water?  Maybe next
season
> we will attempt it...actually trailering it in wasn't a problem with the 6
> cyl minivan...but getting it out? Seems like a job for a standard
> transmission or 4 wheel drive vehicle...but if anyone on the list does it
> successfully would love to know about it.
>
> Lowering the mast was pretty uneventful, but I have one suggestion for the
> steps that Steve came up with in September, you know for us newbie
> types...and that is after # 3 or 4 to add that you need to lock the boom
> into the highest position.  We forgot to do that, and when the mast
couldn't
> rest easily on the cabin deck we had to raise again, raise the boom to top
> slots and take it from there.  Also for new owners it doesn't  hurt to add
a
> step of removing the mast plate bolt...
>
> Is it really necessary to loosen the turnbuckles since those shrouds
become
> slack when lowering the boom anyway?  That  process of loosening
turnbuckles
> etc. with our codder pins adds a good 30 minutes to the whole job...
>
> Who is it that can lower the mast in 35 minutes?  If you read this I would
> love to know if you use the codder pins and rings on the turnbuckles or if
> you have a more efficient system, please share it!
>
> We have to work on our winterizing work tomorrow.
>
> The going rate for winter storage outside at marinas in Staten Island is
> $1200 for a 22' boat without trailer, but with the trailer it is only
$850!!
>
> You gotta love the  cost of living and luxury in the
northeast...fortunately
> we found a pretty secure state park where we can store our boat for $115
for
> the winter-  which I prefer to our back yard.
>
> THANKS AGAIN RHODIES!
>
> Phyllis
> Whisper
> NJ
>
> > From: Steve Alm <salm at mn.rr.com>
> > Reply-To: The Rhodes 22 mail list <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> > Date: Fri, 17 Sep 2004 15:33:40 -0500
> > To: Rhodes <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> > Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Lowering the Mast To The Stern
> >
> > LOWERING THE MAST TO THE STERN:
> >
> > 1.  Disconnect the back stay tensioning line
> > 2.  Disconnect the boom from the traveler
> > 3.  Remove the traveler bar
> > 4.  Hoist the boom up with the topping lift and cleat it off on the mast
> > 5.  Disconnect the pop top slider and close the hatch
> > 6.  Disconnect the radio and steaming light
> > 7.  Wrap up jib sheets and jib reefing line
> > 8.  Disconnect forward lower shrouds and add extensions
> > 9.  Loosen all other shroud turnbuckles
> > 10. Deploy and secure mast crutch
> > 11. Deploy and secure hoist crane to cabin top block
> > 12. Attach aft lower shrouds to crane
> > 12a Alternate: Attach line from crane to mast bail if you're thus
equipped
> > 13. Tie hoist winch line to bow cleat with a bowline
> > 14. Snug the hoist to slack the bow stay
> > 15. Disconnect bow stay
> > 16. Crank the hoist "down" giving the mast a little shove to get it
started
> > 17. Check the shroud extensions as you lower to avoid entanglement.
> > 18. Tend the jib as you lower
> > 19. Lower the mast to the crutch
> > 20. Disconnect mast from tabernacle
> > 21. walk mast, boom and jib forward and secure the whole bundle on the
bow
> > pulpit.
> >
> > CAUTION:  Never let anyone stand under the mast while lowering
> >
> > __________________________________________________
> > Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
> >
>
> __________________________________________________
> Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
>
>