[Rhodes22-list] Lee, perspective

Robert Skinner robert at squirrelhaven.com
Wed Feb 6 11:07:31 EST 2008


Tootle wrote:
> ...
> Also, I believe that Bob Skinner in no smaller sailier.  Maybe Bob should
> comment on big guys and small boats.  Especially since his cabin is even
> smaller that the R 22.

Note that I don't take my Potter 19 far away 
from land, sticking to the Gulf of Maine.  I 
chose and use her as a pocket coastal cruiser 
that can be launched anywhere, even from a  
beach.  She can be sailed in as little as 12" 
of water (in good weather) and carry 2 for 3 
days or 1 for two weeks afloat.

I have had to add a dodger and pipe-and-canvas 
pilot house to make my 19' boat good for 2 weeks 
on the water.  I also tore out and rebuilt the 
interior to allow me to sit on a head with my 
back straight.  

My needs are quite simple, but I insist on being 
able to defecate in comfort, brew tea, heat soup, 
read a book, and put on my pants without a great 
deal of contortion.

Based on what I have read of the discussion so 
far, an R22 with a pop-top enclosure connected 
to a dodger would be workable, if screens could 
be added to control insects when mooring near 
shore.  

If I have properly understood other posts, a 
boom room would work when not sailing.  An 
extended period of bad weather would try your 
patience, however, if the winds precluded a 
watertight canvas enclosure around the cockpit.  
I believe the same could be said of other boats 
I have been in under 25', and even then cabin 
fever would be a factor.

> ...
> In my flying days, I used to know an A&P mechanic who was probably even
> bigger.  After he worked on a Cessna 150 and had to check ride it, only he
> could fit into the plane.  And we never could figure out how he got in and
> out.  But he flew in winds that the rest of us avoided.  Something about
> 400+ pounds keeping the plane stable.  The same would apply to small
> boats...

As I remember, a 150 is pretty close to maxed 
out with 400 lbs aboard.  In a 152 with my 
flight instructor aboard we had to fly in 
cool weather, so he said.

And yes - on my little 540 lb Potter 15, my 300
lbs has a pronounced effect.  I tend to reef 
later than most when we sail together.

/Robert


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