Considering a Rhodes22

[lkuhn]

I''m ready to buy my first boat. I''ve taken the basic keelboat course and have sailed on a large variety of friends'' boats over the last 30 years, but I definitely consider myself a novice sailor. I primarily plan on day-sailing but might do an occasional overnight. I''d like something small and simple enough to single-handle. Most of my single-handling experience has been on 24'' Rainbows that I rent from the Annapolis Naval Station. I live on the Chesapeake.

Anyone know anything about a Rhodes22? I like the large cockpit and the reefing ability of the furling main and headsails. The foam floatation is a nice safety factor. I don''t plan on trailering the boat, but it is trailerable. I''ve sailed the boat in 5 to 15 knot winds, but nothing where you really need to reef (although at 15kts we reefed the genoa to reduce heel). Owner feedback on the manufacturer has been positive.

I''ve looked at most other boats in the 20'' to 26'', but haven''t sailed many of them. Any advice would be appreciated.

[Jeff_H]

I never have been much a fan of the Rhodes 22. I know that these boats have a cult following but there are a whole range of boats that are better built, better sailers for the same costs or less.

Having sailed on the Chesapeake for the past 23 years, I find it a wonderful sailing ground but it is also a sailing venue that really rewards boats that are sail well across a wide range of windspeeds. The mid-Chespeake has a nearly year round sailing season but the prevellent summer winds are on the very light side, while spring and fall days can often include winds into the low 20 knot range.

Boats like the Rhodes 22, which do not do well at either the low end or the higher end of the wind range, will lose a lot of otherwise good sailing days.

I would suggest that you look for a newer design, finned keel boat.

Jeff

[dman]

I never have been much a fan of the Rhodes 22. really? I would never of guessed.

[Highlander22]

I''ve owned and sailed a Rhodes22 in the Annapolis area for 20 years. I guess I''m one of the cult members Jeff refers to since I just love the boat. Although I mainly day or overnight sail, I usually spend a week+ each summer taking an extended trip. I average about 250 - 375 miles a summer on her. The boat works great for me. I highly recommend the Rhodes. All sailboats are compromises, so anyone can find both good and bad points about any particular model.

[miyagi]

In the northeast the Tanzer 22 is very popular. It is an older design (out of Quebec?)but has a strong owners group and parts are still available. It is flush deck, a bit dated looking but has almost 8 ft of cockpit, sails well in all conditions and is strongly built for a 22 footer. You can get fin keeled or centerboard versions. Fin keel sails better. Look to spend 3-6 G

Have fun

[sailingfool]

Ikuhn,

If trailering isn;''t a requirement I''d suggest you don''t take the limitions on all-round use that trailerability often brings. Boats like a Cal,Catalina,or Ericson in 25 feet won''t cost much more but will provide much more all-around performance and useability. They''re boats you may still like after you''ve had a year of experience under your belt and can bette rjudge what makes a better boats versus a lesser boat. If you need to trailer, consider a trailerable, if you don''t, you very lucky as there are far more boats available...

Good luck.

Tom