[Rhodes22-list] advice needed on buying an R22

Todd Zumach zoomerzx at gmail.com
Sun Dec 4 14:38:47 EST 2005


Irv,

I can relay my experience from this summer.  On Father's Day I planned to
sail my 1975 SC22 that I had taken out to the dock the weekend before.  I
discovered that "little leak" at the keel pin was worse than I thought.  The
boat was sitting on the bottom of the (not too deep) lake.  After pumping it
out, I sailed if off the lake and on to it's trailer.

Thus began my search for the perfect trailer sailor.  After I had purchased
the SC22, I had started looking for a future "next boat" and came across the
R22 on the web.  I subsequently forgot about it and started focusing on a
Catalina 25 with a swing keel.  At 6'4", I thought the C25 was the only boat
that I could ever think of spending a long weekend on. After the sinking, I
had to re-evaluate how much draft I could get away with on the stump filled
lake that I spend most of my time on.  I began my search with renewed
interest (I was a little depressed about not being able to sail!). Then I
started searching trailerable boats and crossed paths with the R22 again.  I
checked Stan's website and decided this was the boat for me.  I then found
this site and started to lurk in the darkness of ignorance. I called Stan
and asked about used vs recycled.  I told him time wasn't critical, but my
budget was a little too low for recycled boats.   In the mean time, I
checked every "sailboat for sale" website I could find.  In the course of 30
days (mid summer) I only came across three.  One in Ohio, I missed by about
three weeks.  The second in Michigan, sounded perfect and I was the second
potential buyer on the seller's list.  Unfortunately, the guy sold the boat
to somebody else (my depression deepened).  Then late on Friday night, July
31, I was casually checking out the typical websites and found my dream boat
in central Minnesota (It had been listed only three days prior and over 200
people had looked at the listing already).  I left a message with the owner
that night, talked to him at length on Saturday and he agreed to a test sail
the next day.  I loaded up the truck with the intent to purchase the boat
unless it turned out to have a serious problem.  The sail went great (my
wife compared this R22 to our old SC22 as a Mercedes versus a rusty Ford
Fiesta) but the guy didn't have all the gear put together and wanted one
more sail with the boat (he didn't really want to sell).  I went home
(3.5hour drive) empty handed but with a handshake deal. Fortunately,
we agreed
to meet half way between our ports, and I was able to bring the boat home on
Thursday, August 11th.  Have you ever seen Snoopy when he does his happy
dance?  That was me!

Get to the point you say?  Well, my advice is decide if a recycled is what
you really want (I think I got an exceptional deal, but I can't believe all
R22's are as well maintained as mine was).  I have read the advice of others
on this site and can't disagree with them, a recycled is a safer approach.
If recycled isn't feasible, then research all the websites on a regular
basis.  Be patient, but don't hesitate too long if you find a used boat for
sale.  I don't think it will be around for very long.

Good Luck,

Todd Z.
Phillips, WI

On 12/3/05, Chris Geankoplis <napoli68 at charter.net> wrote:
>
> Irv,
>     Apprentace out your 2nd son to a plumber, that will take care of the
> cash flow, then get a recycled Rhodes from Stan. One must maintain proper
> priorities.   For the price, it is agreat deal.
>
> Chris G
> Medfore, Or
> S/C Enosis
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Irv Kooris" <kooris at verizon.net>
> To: "The Rhodes 22 mail list" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2005 7:29 PM
> Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] advice needed
>
>
> > Hello
> > I am new to the group I have been an admirer of the Rhodes 22. I have
> owned
> > a sailboats from 17 to 27 feet. My last boat was a Montgomery 17 a great
> > boat but too small. I live in Boston and sail coastal New England. What
> is
> > the best way to find a used Rhodes. I'd love a new one but a son in
> college
> > and another on the way limits my discretionary income. I look forward to
> > hearing from the group.
> > Irv
> >
> > __________________________________________________
> > Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
> __________________________________________________
> Use Rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org, Help? www.rhodes22.org/list
>


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