[Rhodes22-list] 1976 Rhodes

[Roger Pihlaja]

Hank,

Well, I took a look at your photos.  It's definitely a Rhodes 22 hull.  It
looks like there's a lot of boat left to work with; but, you certainly have
your work cut out for you!  It looks like you have a pretty nice tandem axle
galvanized trailer too.  With the boat in the condition it's in, I hope you
got a good deal on the purchase price.  How did the cabin interior get
ripped out?

Since you are starting pretty much from scratch on the interior, you have
some options for materials of construction (MOC) that did not exist in 1976.
Take a look in the 2004 West Marine Master Catalog on page 441.  Note the
TACO marine lumber plastic building material and TACO Lite structural foam
sheets.  These building materials are made from polyethylene and high
density polyethylene foam.  They can be cut, fastened, & sanded like wood;
but, will be completely impervious to moisture, rot, and everything else in
the marine environment.  Another similar product is sold under the tradename
of Starboard.  Look in the 2004 Defender Marine Buyer's Guide on page 120 to
see this MOC.  Use only 316 SS or 18/8 SS fasteners.

Most of the standard interior was originally fabricated from marine grade
plywood with a teak veneer.  If I were rebuilding my interior with wood, I
would go to the extra step of sealing any wood with epoxy or a good
polyurethane marine varnish, especially any end grain.

Building the interior on a boat involves some of the most demanding
cabinetry skills.  You are going to find there isn't a truly straight line,
right angle, or flat surface practically anywhere!  Everything is all angles
& curves and must be pretty much custom fit.  I hope your woodworking skills
are good and you have lots of patience.

Dynamic Equilibrium is a 1976 Rhodes 22.  I have a digital camera and I've
owned the boat since 1987.  I'm pretty familier with the way the boat is put
together.  If you have some specific questions regarding some detail of how
the boat was originally put together; then, ask away & I'll try to help you.
If I can get to some specific feature without massively dismantling my boat,
I will be glad to take a digital picture for you.

Keep in mind that GBI has a philosphy of continuous improvement.  There have
been many improvements made to the cabin and sailing systems on the boat
since 1976.  Most of these improvements can be retrofit to earlier boats.
For example, 1976 Rhodes 22's came equipped with a cable-style traveller
attached to the transom.  It was bad.  The boats have been equipped with a
newer bar-style traveller, which is suspended between the double backstays,
for some time now.  This is a much better system; but, you will have to
replace your double backstays in order to upgrade.  This is just one example
of literally dozens of small changes and upgrades made to the boat over the
years.  I recommend you look at the pictures on the photo web site and
various discussion topics on the FAQ web site.

http://www.rhodes22.org/rhodes/

http://www.geocities.com/blew_skies/topics.html

In addition, Stan at GBI will be able to give you lots of advice regarding
what's possible.  Remember, if you see something you like in the photos, the
chances are that Stan or someone on the list can help you to make it a
reality on your boat.

With the boat in the condition it's in, it's difficult to know what to tell
you to do 1st regarding the restoration.  If it were my boat, I'd get the
hull surveyed for moisture content & I'd do a thorough inspection for
osmotic blisters.  The damage to the topsides & rub rail would make me
concerned about possible water infiltration into the plywood core in the
deck.  If you find a significant amount of this sort of structural damage;
then, you may want to rethink whether this project is worth doing.  If the
boat is structurally in good shape; then the rest of the restoration just
requires time, patience, and money.

Good luck!

Roger Pihlaja
S/V Dynamic Equilibrium

>-----Original Message-----
> From: hank reiling <gnilier at msn.com>
> To: rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> Date: Tuesday, November 23, 2004 1:44 PM
> Subject: [Rhodes22-list] 1976 Rhodes
>
>
> Thanks for your responses, I have had it her for a couple of weeks and
have
> been checking out the websites, I have attached a link to pictures I have
> taken, I have my work cut out for me.  I have checked out the basic layout
> at General Boats, I do not even have the floor inside the cabin.  Pretty
> much I have my choice of what I want the inside to look like. My main
> problem is I need to know basically how it goes together, is the floor
> plywood, planks etc. I bought it the same weekend as the Boat show in St
> Pete.  I would have loved to check out the Rhodes there.
>
>
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/gniliernoj/my_photos<http://pg.photos.yahoocom
> /ph/gniliernoj/my_photos>
>
> Thanks
>
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