[Rhodes22-list] racing rhodes

[Bill Effros]

Stan,

I assume the local club racer is winning because he has a high PHRF 
number.  Because so few of us race, and the boat does not select for 
racers, anyone good at racing who enters an R-22 in a fleet is likely to 
win for a while until the local fleet catches on to the abilities of the 
R-22 racer and adjusts the PHRF.

R-22s with 175 gennys are faster than R-22s with 150 gennys,  it's just 
that PHRF fleets penalize the 175s to discourage people from racing with 
them.

I can beat a J-22 under some conditions if the other skipper's sailing 
skills are not as good as mine, but almost every J-24 should beat me in 
every direction.  (Then I go take a leak with the tiller locked, and I 
wave with my free hand--I find that J-24 owners are very envious of that 
capability in an R-22.)

Heavy R-22s with IMF can fly a lot of sail, and can plane under certain 
circumstances.  Sailed upright, they can also sail in very light air.  
But I don't think any R-22 will ever point as well as J-Boats or others 
purpose built for sailing around buoys.

Standard R-22s float way above the water lines if you take out the extra 
batteries, 45 pound anchors, all chain rodes, automotive tool sets, 
extra gallons of drinking water, multiple 6 gallon fuel tanks, 
bar-b-ques with 10 pound propane tanks, biminis, 110 lb. 4-stroke 
outboards, porto-potties with 6 gallon reservoirs, etc.

I think any Rhodes will do well in a racing fleet if the owner is 
willing to learn how to sail the boat.  Someone could get very good at it.

Personally I would like to see Rhodes race against each other where you 
don't race your own boat, and your Rhodes PHRF rating comes from how 
well others can race your boat.  My guess is that Peter Thorn, or other 
accomplished racers would win on any boat.

If you want to sell a Rhodes without bells and whistles to lower the 
initial cost, I'm sure you'll find some buyers.  I'm not sure you want 
to change the weight of the boat or its strength.  I could make my 
MacGregor fly simply by blowing out the ballast tank, but it wasn't 
built like a Rhodes.  I'm not sure you want to have R-22s out there that 
are not built like a Rhodes, or that can't safely carry a 175 Genny.

JMO

Bill Effros











stan wrote:
> List members keep using shortcuts I do not know, so here is one that may or may not be in use (?)
>
> POI
>
> We are considering coming out with the RCR model (Rhodes Club Racer) and welcome your feedback.
>
> A local owner had purchased an older, lighter Rhodes and outfitted it with mast bending capabilities, conventional mast and sail, a forward traveler, etc. and says he is beating everything in sight or that enters his local club races.  He thinks we are nuts to be missing this market and has volunteered to guide us if we decide to bring out a club racer.
>
> We would be using the same new molds with our combination keel diamond/board (maybe a new designed diamond spade rudder blade) but with a much lighter (not as comfortable a ride) lay-up of hull and deck.  The mast would be a standard design but with a long top aft projection to move back stays further aft at top for clearing a standard mainsail with special battening, along with mast bending capabilities, traveler and boom vang.
>
> The inferior would have the"V" berth, semi-enclosed porta potti type head area and sail and beer and food stuff lockers for extra sails and portable ice chest storage to starboard instead of the galley and the "U" shaped dinette convertible to the 6'-6" double berth to port incase the crew had to nap while waiting for others to catch up.  It would have one battery and running lights for night racing or an accidental late crossing of the finish line.
>
> Tentative price tag:  $22,995 with cushions, head, sails, motor, trailer, stern rail, solar panels, hatches, etc optional so buyers could get a RCR outfitted strictly for racing or to whatever extend beyond that if also wanted to do some cruising.
>
> In earlier days with earlier boats I had been able to keep abreast of J 24s - downwind.  With the new RCR     model, J- 22s may have to look out - particularly if we can limit the competitions to races sponsored by clubs in shallow water communities.
>
> ss
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