Stan:

Thanks for the update, oh happy curmudgeon! Have fun.

Cheers,

Shawn

s/v Sweet Baboo

On Mon, Sep 19, 2022, 7:03 PM Frank Goldsmith <goldsmith.cf at gmail.com>
wrote:

> Vintage Stan.  So good to hear.
>
> Frank
>
> > On Sep 19, 2022, at 5:34 PM, Graham Parker <gramille at tds.net> wrote:
> >
> > Yeah !
> >
> > That sounds like the Stan we all love.
> > Have a great Show.
> >
> > Graham Parker
> > sv “00Sailin”
> > Vermont
> >
> >> On Sep 19, 2022, at 17:08, 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
> >>
> >>
> >
>
>