[Rhodes22-list] Curious About Your Rhodes Choice Stories

[Rick]

Lee,

For the past 11 years, I've been looking for a better boat than my R22.  So
far, no luck.

Rick

On Thu, Oct 20, 2011 at 4:13 PM, Leland <LKUHN at cnmc.org> wrote:

>
> I had sailed Sunfish and Hobies back in college and went out as a guest on
> a
> variety of cruisers over the next 30 years.  I had the bug but it didn't
> seem practical to buy a boat until I retired and had the time to use it.
>
> Some people think that looking for a boat is as much fun as owning a boat.
> I disagree but looking at boats unintentionally became a hobby for me.  My
> wife described it as an obsession but it kept me off the streets.  The more
> I researched boats the more I realized that selecting the right boat would
> be one of the most difficult decisions of my life.  Every boat is slightly
> different and I had no idea if I wanted a small daysailer or a big cruiser.
> I eventually realized that I should purchase something small and
> inexpensive
> as my first boat and then move up to the right boat for my preferred type
> of
> sailing.
>
> I had met Stan and seen the Rhodes22 at the Annapolis boat shows but my
> general impression was that the boat was overpriced.  It also seemed like
> it
> had too many bells and whistles that drove up the cost.  Over the years the
> Rhodes became my benchmark for comparing other boats.  Eventually the
> overpricing changed into a good value for the quality, and most of the
> bells
> and whistles changed into worthwhile options.
>
> I purchased a 1986 recycled Rhodes delivered in March of 2005.  One of the
> best things about buying from Stan was that I could pick and choose options
> (expensive) and put them on a used boat (cheap).  I got exactly what I
> wanted for a reasonable price.
>
> After six seasons of sailing I've discovered that I'm definitely a
> daysailor
> but like the idea that I could spend a night or two on the boat if I ever
> get adventuresome.  I find it interesting that two of the main features of
> the Rhodes are its cruising and trailering capabilities, yet I use neither.
> There are daysailers out there with deeper, heavier keels that probably
> sail
> better in most conditions and don't have money tied up in cruising options.
> Yet everytime I find one they don't have a lot of the features of the
> Rhodes
> that I just don't want to give up.  The Rhodes has ruined me on all other
> boats.
>
> Overall the Rhodes is more enjoyable to sail and what's more important than
> that?  It's easy to sail, fun to sail, and comfortable to sail.  With the
> poptop up the cabin becomes an extended, covered part of the already
> oversized cockpit.  Try to find a better sailing environment on any boat
> under 40 feet.
>
> No boat owner aside from a Rhodes owner should ever divide quality sailing
> time into boat costs.  Cost per hour of use, the Rhodes has to be the
> cheapest boat out there.
>
> Researching sailboats is still a major hobby for me.  Most first-sailboat
> owners move up to bigger boats.  So far I'm convinced that my next boat
> will
> just be a newer Rhodes22.
>
> Buying a sailboat before I retired was absolutely one of the best decisions
> of my life.
>
> Lee
> 1986 Rhodes22  AT EASE
> Kent Island, MD
>
>
>
>
> butterchurn wrote:
> >
> > I thought it might be fun to ask all of you what influenced your choice
> to
> > purchase the Rhodes 22 instead of another brand or even a larger boat.  I
> > am interested in your stories.  I love stories.  It might be great to
> have
> > an archive of them as well.
> >
> > Ron
> >
>
> --
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> Sent from the Rhodes 22 mailing list archive at Nabble.com.
>
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