RHODES BANTAM - 14' Sloop Photo Gallery by nfacb at pbase.com

RHODES BANTAM - 14' Sloop

-------------- PRESENTLY UNDER RESTORATION --------------

RHODES BANTAM CLASS SLOOP #212
Built by SKANEATELES BOATS CO., INC.
Skaneateles, New York
______________________________________________________________
----The following is from a copy of the original invoice----

original invoice dated May 26, 1947
+$565.00 1 Rhodes Bantam Class Sloop, racing no. 212
-$ 45.00 allowance, standard sails
_______
+$520.00
+$ 95.00 Skaneateles racing grade main and jib (nylon)
+$ 38.00 Skaneateles racing grade spinnaker (nylon)
+$ 30.00 Spinnaker gear
_______
+$683.55

Boat Launched May 24, 1947

Specifications:
Designer:....Philip L. Rhodes (1947), 2,000 built
LOA:....14' 0"
LWL:....13'1"
Beam:....5'6"
Displacement:....325 lbs.
Draft:....CB board up/dn....6"/4'2"
SA(sq.ft.):....Main & Jib..130
Spinnaker:....155 ------------------------------------------------

If you own a 14' Rhodes Bantam, please contact me.
A website, catering to the Bantam, might be available in the near future. I'm particularly interested in any information regarding the Skaneateles Boat Co.

A private message may be left at the bottom of any of these pages by clicking on private comment prior to clicking on “add comment”.
--- Lawrence Fortunato


			RHODES BANTAM - 14' Sloop	RB212 "Boiling Point "
	Looking at the stern	Centerboard Trunk - starboard side			Tiller & Rudder
MAIN SAIL	RACING JIB
Central New York Yacht Racing Association regatta	Central New York Yacht Racing Association regatta	Central New York Yacht Racing Association regatta	Central New York Yacht Racing Association regatta

comment |

Donn		12-Jan-2012 15:55
I just recently found some photos of Rhodes Bantam #565 I owned back in the mid-70's and was curious whatever happened to it. I bought it from a guy in Coldwater, MI and sailed it for a couples years in MI before moving to SW Florida. I didn't want to trailor it down here so I sold it to a guy who belonged to a RB group saiing on Goguac Lake in Battle Creek, MI. If anyone has any info I would appreciate hearing from you. ...Donn donn@sailingnamaste.com

Alan Glos		23-Oct-2011 18:45
This past summer, I organized a Rhodes Bantam reunion regatta in conjunction with the Central New York Yacht Racing Association regatta held here on Cazenovia Lake in Cazenovia NY the weekend of July 9 & 10, 2011. Four boats showed up to include Jim Burlitch, Alan Glos, Butch Weir and Todd Sampsel. We had two great days of racing in clear skies and heavy air. Next summer, this same regatta will be held on Skaneateles Lake the weekend after July 4. Bantam sailors who might like to participate should contact me at: aglos@mail.colgatre.edu. One or two competitive loaner boats maybe available including a former International champion custom build wood boat. Alan Glos R-B 1775 Cazenovia, NY

Rebecca		08-Aug-2011 10:11
Launched my Bantam #1058 on the Rhode River in Maryland yesterday after 2 years in the garage and the centerboard is stuck, any advice please? Thanks for the beautiful website.

Guest		06-Aug-2011 23:40
Just refurbishe RB #456 here in Toledo Ohio area. Hope to sail it soon! L.Armstrong

crazygreek		21-Jul-2011 14:47
I presently have two (2) Bantams. Both are wooden. H/N 597, the other , unknown. I am currious about the age of 597. Have owned 597 since 1959 sailed on lake Erie and now in Barnegate Bay, N.J. Both boats are in excllent condition. Thinking about selling . Bob Charles

D. Doncoes		11-Jul-2011 20:36
Is there any knowledge of Rhodes Bantam #460. It was sold to David Lewis in Lyon, N.Y.

Aiona		29-Jun-2011 08:18
I own a Rhodes Bantam which was rebuilt from marine plywood, using the hardware and spars from a former boat. I can't remember the hull number offhand, but it was built by James Broten in Minnesota. Its sails carry a different hull number than the original hull did. Original spinnaker was lost during one of its journeys. I also had a new mainsail made. Currently, it is located in Texas.

Troy Rheinfrank		21-Jan-2011 21:20
Thought you might be interested, I've had a RB for about 20 years, the sail says 1347, not sure what the hull number is. It was built in 1966 and is a fiberglass hull with wood gunwales, seats, and other trim. It came with 2 mainsails, a jib, a genoa, and a spinnaker, and 2 different spinnaker poles. While I don't get it out nearly as much as I used to, it's one of my pride and joys, and I've had it all over Ohio and Lake Erie. Also when I got it, it came with a big packet of paperwork on the history of this particular boat, including magazine clippings from the '60's with pictures of it, it apparently was raced with success.

Steve		24-Nov-2010 18:43
Lawrence, I just purchased RB541 in Asheville, NC. The plywood is in poor condition so I haven't decided whether to restore this hull or build a new one. I wanted to send you a photo. I enjoy this web site. Steve Mason grdgator@yahoo.com

Steve Mason		06-Nov-2010 01:16
I just purchase RB541, a wooden boat. The hull is in very poor shape and the mast is warped. I will probably have to glass the hull. I don't think the frames would hold their shape if I tried to reskin it. Steve

cathy smith		10-Oct-2010 13:02
Hi, I sailed RB's at the RED Jacket yachet club on Cayuga Lake as a child and young adult. I now have a fiber glass RB which is lovely to sail. Our orginal wooden RB rotted while I was busy raising a family but I still own the mast and center board from it, and I am interested in selling these left over parts. Hi to Jim Burlitch ! Cathy Smith Depasquale

Stuart Spencer		07-Jul-2010 00:08
I have #826 built by Gibbs in 1961. According to the original class measurement certifictate that I have, she was originally sold to J. Gerken of Norwalk, Ohio. I would like to sell her as we race an Interlake and the kids are not interested in the Bantam. We are in Northern Michgan. Great to see a site for a great design!

ell1339		24-Jun-2010 23:03
By the way, my intention is to get her sailing and sell her. But I will sell at anypoint. She's on a nice trailer with boards which secure her to the trailer. Just needs new tires which I will be buying soon.

ell1339		24-Jun-2010 22:57
I just got done putting varnish on the interior of my RB # 1313. I would say it's almost in perfect original condition. Only about two spots on the floor where the finish lifted and there are some fine black lines, but nothing through the hull. Anyway, the person before me took all fittings off the boat. Now I have to put them back on. 3 wooden pulleys and everything else. I'm used to the rigging for lightning sailboats but would appreciate rigging diagrams and/or info. Also I have no sails and would be interested in buying some.

Elliott Smith		24-Jun-2010 22:54
I just got done putting varnish on the interior of my RB # 1313. I would say it's almost in perfect original condition. Only about two spots on the floor where the finish lifted and there are some fine black lines, but nothing through the hull. Anyway, the person before me took all fittings off the boat. Now I have to put them back on. 3 wooden pulleys and everything else. I'm used to the rigging for lightning sailboats but would appreciate rigging diagrams and/or info. Also I have no sails and would be interested in buying some.

Dr. Jim McCluskey		17-Feb-2010 08:53
Ahoy there fellow RB sailors! Here's a post script to the previous answers, for RB 1201: good advice so far, but clenching the forestay in my teeth doesn't give me quite the same support as a good hand controlling that mast as it goes up or down when I'm stepping it alone. If it starts to get away from you, the only one happy might be my dentist! I prefer to take the end of my main halyard (jib halyard would be fine) and run it through the shackle where the tack of my jib attaches. You could also put a temporary block (pulley) there, but I haven't found it to be necessary. I can then lift the mast with one hand and both pull and safely control the ascent and decent by controlling the line with my other hand. It sounds complicated, but it isn't. I've done it many times. For RB 1692, if you're going to invest a lot of effort in restoring your boat (as we have with both our fiberglass and wooden RBs, you might as well do it right. We are also good friends with West Marine. With wooden boats, if you want them to last, we would encourage use of the West System and a product called Cetol. Of course, we prefer the "natural" bright finish on our wood. If you have bare or rotted wood in places on your boat, we suggest "westing" the areas first to help strengthen and protect the area. The West System is well known in boating circles, and is estimated to help protect wood for up to 20 years. We have used this system on many of our 70-boat museum exhibits, from our small day sailors up to our big 38 foot class A wooden racing scows. We then coat the Wested area with a product called Cetol for UV protection. You can then paint over it,, skip the Cetol and paint over the west system application after it dries, or just leave it wested, if it's interior work. For more info, visit our museum's website at www.freewebs.com/greatlakessmallboatsailingmuseum or email me (Jim) at greatlakessmallboatsailingmuseum@hotmail.com and good luck to all RB sailors! I'd like to help coordinate a stronger RB class organization and/or a reunion regatta in Ohio this Summer. Drop me an email if you're interested in either or both! Fair winds & following seas to all! Dr. Jim McCluskey, Curator, Great Lakes Small Boat Sailing Museum, as well as the National Museum of One Design Sailboats (cell: 325-203-2525) with locations in Xenia, OH, Brownwood, TX and Big Rapids, MI

Guest		02-Feb-2010 06:06
RB 1673 Dear RB 1692, My RB does not have a Hull ID as required by the U.S. Coast Guard for all boats manufactured on or after November 1, 1972. I estimate my boat is around 1970. West Marine is my friend. For interior painting, deck (floor) only I recommend Interlux Pre-Kote Primer and then Interlux Interdeck Non-skid Finish. If the hull is ok I recommend going to Lowes or Home Depot and get a quart of Flood Penetrol. It is in the paint section. You can clean all fiberglass surfaces with the Penetrol. Directions are even on the can. I did the outer hull, gunwales and seats. Then finish with 3M Marine Restorer & Wax. Sails stained? I washed my only set of old sails with Oxyclean by hand. Strung a clothes line in the back yard and rinsed them with a garden hose. Not exactly white but better than before. If you are interested in new sails contact The Sailors' Tailor. They have a web site. For RB 1201 - The only way I would attempt to step the mast single-handed is to start with the S & P shrouds attached. Walk the mast up with the forestay clenched in your teeth. At near vertical you can lift the mast into the seat and lean towards the bow. Work your way into the bow and somehow hold the mast forward. Maintain tension on the forestay and secure the pin in the tang. My boat was rigged to race and I have made some upgrades. If there is interest I will check this forum for any questions anyone may have on hardware, etc. Rob M

JB		30-Nov-2009 02:37
I have just purchased a Rhodes Bantam fiberglass sloop (sail # 1692), and plan to restore. Can anyone provide any information as to how old my boat is? Also any suggestions for hull and interior painting? Boat is in very good shape. Paid $700 for boat and trailer. Will have to invest in new sails ... old ones too stained for my tastes. Please include me in any future communications. Thanks, JB

RB1201		28-Oct-2009 12:27
I just purchased RB 1201..Does anyone have tried and true method for stepping the mast single-handed..Thanks Jim Sherrils Ford, NC

Geo		30-Aug-2009 14:15
Greetings, I have RB 1013, Harbinger, looking for some history on her. Regards Geo

Katherine Gardner		26-Jul-2009 16:23
My brother and I purchase a fiberglass RB in 1967. It is in need of refurbishing but the hull and the spars and sails are still in good condition. We would like to sell it. Any suggestions on where to advertise? It was a great boat for us - we sailed inPennsylvania on Conneaut Lake.

Guest		22-Jun-2009 15:20
I just bought a RB #1543 in Sisters Lake, Mich. I trailered it to Crawfordsville, IN where I live. This sails like a dream!!! Mark Ward-Bopp markwardbopp1@gmail.com

Thomas Dangerfield		18-Jul-2008 20:25
I purchased a fiberglass Rhodes Bantam by Lofland Sailcraft in Kansas. It has a slightly unusual kick-up rudder. I am wondering how it works. I may have it wrong, or it is missing a piece. Anyway, thought I would join the forum. I would love a rigging diagram if anyone has one. Thank you for this forum. I will contribute photos when I get her home and safe.

melissa powell		19-Oct-2007 13:52
I am looking at buying a Rhodes Bantam - don't know what year it was built. The gentleman is asking $2K. He says it is 30 years old, he is the second owner, it is in good shape-has been in a barn when not sailing. Any advice?

bill rutland		09-Aug-2007 22:34
I have a rhodes bantam that was part of the fleet at olcott yacht club on lake ontario i believe i t is number 1216 my boat needs new plywood hulls i am looking for someone to help me or to restore it for me

Guest		10-Jul-2007 21:32
I was happy to see your website and the information about the RB. My two uncles owned RB 12, purchased from Skaneateles in 1946. They sailed it on Lake St. Clair from their summer cottage in Belle River, Ontario. Their children and the nephews and nieces all learned to sail on it. Thanks for bringing back so many happy memories with your website. I may be able to add some information.

Guest		10-Jul-2007 21:27
I really enjoyed seeing your website and the information about the RB. My two uncles bought RB 12 from Skaneateles in 1946 or 1947. They sailed it for many years in Lake St. Clair, from their summer cottage in Belle River, Ontario. All of the nephews and nieces learned to sail on that boat. I had lost track of that class of boat after the early 1980's and was so happy to see your information...it brought back many happy memories.

Ed Simpson		19-Jun-2007 00:09
Sailed a Bantam for many years with my Dad, RB 676...may able to help with some information...or try Jim Burlitch in Ithica NY...he is the archivist for the RB Association. I am also looking to purchase an old wooden Bantam...thanks

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