[Rhodes22-list] Stan's Go Fund Me page

[Chris Geankoplis]

Yes this is Stan, concentrated, distilled, and dare I say aged like if not
fine wine, maybe more like cheese.  Yes, Stan the big cheese.  I so wish I
could be there.

Chris G.
Xenos

On Tue, Sep 20, 2022 at 8:49 AM david sempek via Rhodes22-list <
rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org> wrote:

> It is posts like this that makes me want to keep my Rhodes. My 1976 Rhodes
> 22 was found in an Iowa field. The interior was a pool complete with frogs
> and a few toads. One blown tire on the way home and many hours of
> fiberglassing, carpentry and refitting the little Rhodes is now a club
> favorite. Carry on General Boats.
>
> Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android
>
>   On Mon, Sep 19, 2022 at 4:09 PM, stan<stan at generalboats.com> wrote:
>  Dear Rhodies all,
>
> I am deeply touched by the concerns and offers but let me clear up a bit
> where general boats, now pushing 65, and founder stan, pushing 97, stand
> and need to keep standing.
>
> What the company and its combination chief cook and bottle washer do NOT
> need are more sales.  As many of you know and point out, the Rhodes
> sells itself.  But alas, it can't build itself and deliveries have
> fallen to zero, everything that could manage to be sailed, now having
> been sold.  We go to the show so as not to lose our largest intangible
> asset; the best land exhibit location at the # 1 sailboat show in the
> nation, earned the hard way: By being at its very first show (where I
> believe Chris (G) became intrigued with our take on what a writer of
> books, who is no fan of the Rhodes because it does not look to his
> conventional eye like a good old sailboat should, but nevertheless had
> to write: "From the deep blue ocean to the shallow coves, the Rhodes
> covers it all". So thanks but please, no need for monetary
> contributions.  With my mind and body having started parting company in
> my nineties what we need is physical help. (there was the time I would
> drive a Rhodes to the Chicago Show, set it up and then dash back to NY
> to pick up a Catalina 22 for that company  and turn right around and get
> it set up in our Chi space before calling it a day.  And think nothing
> of it.  Hate to face it but the body tells me I am no longer up to that.
>
> Thoughtful email from Mike just hit my inbox so I will go with it to
> complete this email of mine:
>
>   * /"//Find a boat to exhibit at the show."/
>
> While we usually have 3 boats in our land space and one in the water for
> demo sails, I would be delighted to settle for 2 boats on land and just
> as delighted to settle for only one. I don't think an owners boat should
> be subject to that traffic plus it might accidentally get sold.  We have
> a used Rhodes at the plant that was donated to us by a USN submarine
> commander who when he had enough of underwater boating elected to buy
> one that can't sink so bought a Rhodes at a show and years later
> returned it to us saying it owed him nothing his having had such
> pleasure from it.  It needs a day or two of in cabin carpentry.  Selling
> that one at the show has the great advantage of having one less Rhodes
> wannabe haunting me daily since the last show.  In addition to, or in
> place of, we do have a couple wanting to go larger (which we encourage,
> our experience being they will miss the Rhodes and buy another when
> downsizing). Their boat is said to be in nice shape and not far from the
> show but they have no trailer and we have a new one at the plant and
> they will be thrilled if we accidentally sell their Rhodes which has an
> electric out board.
>
> .///"Arrange transportation for you to and from the show.
> /
>
> If we did manage to take the boat at the plant to the show I am skinny
> enough to go with that one.  Or, if we are taking the new trailer to
> pick up Jose's boat I can be strapped to the trailer if no room in car.
> Getting home is a decision I can put off 'til after show.
> //
>
>   * / "F//ind convenient accommodations for you—sleeping on the boat is
>     probably not the best option"/
>
> Not needed. Living on board at show is normal for me.
>
> /. //"Organize support from Rhodies at the show to talk with visitors
> about the Rhodes 22."/
>
> One of my quips has been I did not start talking 'til my thirties; In my
> nineties I can't stop.  I can handle this, plus Phil and Dawn are coming
> from Canada.  Phil has been coming for so many years he can't break the
> habit.  Plus I look forward to meeting Dawn.  But anyone who wants to
> come to a 'Rhodes Class' reunion, meet each other, sell boats and put up
> with all my stories, that is great with me.
>
>
> Now I would like to do a brief bit of networking.  I am still (even more
> so) in the market for partnering, not investors, no financial investment
> is wanted. The stream of candidates has been impressive, Bill Wickman
> ventured the problem is me.  And I think he may be right.  Like Groucho,
> I am nervous in going with anyone who would have me as a partner.
>
> thanks again for all your interests in keeping the Rhodes from joining
> the giants of this misguided industry like the O'Days and Hunters and
> Gulfstars whose banks had to tell them when it was time to throw in the
> towel.  You haven't seen anything 'til you see what is brewing in the
> wings at general boats.
>
> stan
>
>
>
>