[Rhodes22-list] Rhodes 22 list status?

[Todd Zumach]

Hi Guys,

Since it is slow and the boat is put away I thought I would let you know
that some of us "northern" sailors have not crawled into the cave to
hibernate quite yet.

As some of you may recall, I am a new owner. I had a South Coast 22 that
sank at the dock on Father's Day, so I went without a boat for most of the
summer. On August 11, I got my "new" 1986 R22 on the water for the first
time. I can now say, after getting about 15 short sails in that I have found
my dream boat (well, OK maybe a brand new R22 is really my dream boat). My
wife has compared the SC22 to the R22 like a Ford Fiesta and Mercedes Benz.
I tend to think of it more as a Model T compared to a BMW.

The first few sails were a little dicey. I had gusty winds and (not having
any furling capability on the SC22) didn't crasp how important it is to reef
early. On the third trip out I thought about two things. First, maybe I was
not really cut out to be a sailor and that the R22 was not the right boat
for me! Then I got a couple of more experienced sailors out on the boat. I
sat back (you know, that cabin wall is really comfortable) and let them take
the helm. I paid attention to what they were doing and learned a lot in a
few short hours. Then in early September, I went on my first solo sail. I
had a blast! From that point on I was in love with this boat. It was a sad
day on the first weekend of October when we had to put her away for the
season.

Since that point I have dreamed of the trips we will have next season. I
definately will get her up to the Apostle Islands and perhaps to Lake Pepin
on the MN-WI border.

I may sit back and lurk here most of the time. I have enjoyed (and cringed a
bit) at the political discussions, but it is the boating messages I enjoy
the most.

I managed to get answers to a lot of my newbie questions about sailing on
the South Coast site. So, I have enoyed reading the comments from other new
owners.

I still have two questions that were never answered when I posted them
several weeks ago. First, the "old pros" have mentioned searching the
archives for answers to questions. I have read through some of the archives,
but I don't know what method (software?) is used to actually "search" the
archives. Any help?

Second, I asked a question a while back about about how to inspect the chain
plates. At the time, it was just idle curiousity, then after I pulled the
boat, I decided to reseat some of the deck fittings and removed the guard
plates around the chain plates. I was surprized that some of the chain
plates had a little play in them (fore/aft). I figured the fastners used to
secure the plate inside the cabin wall may have worked loose. So, the
question is, how do you inspect them to make sure they are secure and the
wood is in good shape. Again, any help would be appreciated.

Dreaming of Sailing,
Todd Zumach
Phillips, WI

On 11/3/05, Robert Skinner <robert at squirrelhaven.com> wrote:
>
> R22RumRunner at aol.com wrote:
> >
> > Ed,
> > Quit inviting people down here. They might actually like it and stay. We
> > have just enough people on the lake the way it is.
>
> Now Rummy, don't be like that. It's the PWCs and
> stinkpots that really get in your face, not us
> peaceful easy sailors.
>
> Besides, I enjoy the fog, the 20-foot tides, granite
> ledges, many islands and fjords, and other generally
> challenging conditions of the Maine Coast. Having
> enjoyed sailing in the Chesapeake Bay region almost
> year-round, I moved up here to escape the heat.
>
> The summers in Maine may be short, but the sailing
> is intense.
> --
> Robert Skinner
>
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