Welcome to sailing, and the Rhodes 22, George.    Be warned, once the sailing
bug is caught escape is all but impossible.    Fortunately you will have no
desire to cure this disease.   Until we get past the worst of the summer
heat you might consider a Bimini (if not so equipped).   Once you get
comfortable with the boat you may add evening / night sailing to dodge the
worst of it.  I share Stephen’s thought that you will use the boat more the
easier it is.  You made a good start by figuring out dry storage, mast up.
at the ramp.   

It sounds like you have the prior owner for lessons?   Part of the thrill of
sailing to me is the ongoing growth.    I just picked up a solo docking
trick in a crosswind after a night sail with another boat.   After decades I
finally taught myself to splice a chain into a three strand anchor line this
spring.    There is always a new skill to learn.   There are always people
that know more to share them.   I hang out in another more hardcore forum
because the hardcore sailors take stuff for granted I didn’t know existed,
and I chose to live in a sailing backwater.   I’d  improve little and make
many expensive mistakes if left to my own devices.    

Alex Cole
SV Lark



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Alex Cole
S/V Lark
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Sent from: http://rhodes-22.1065344.n5.nabble.com/