Local Yacht Club chooses Rhodes 19

[rbgarr]

My local yacht club has chosen the Rhodes 19 for a one-design class. The club has budgeted a sum to buy six used boats with outboards, a trailer, a crane and allotted dock space. Interested members can join the 'fleet' for $800 per year and race (by some yet-to-be determined rotation of crews and boats) on Saturdays and Sundays year-round.

The class was chosen because most of the members are older, vary in sailing experience, don't care to struggle with capsizes, may need to use outboard power to get home against a moderate current when wind dies, etc.

Does anyone else have experience with a program set up like this and have any suggestions?

[Raven 271]

My local yacht club started a fleet of Rhodes 19 a few years ago,all keel models, no centerboards and no motors!
They were all older boats that were picked up for approx.$1500.00.They are individually owned,but just about anyone with any interest and experience is encouraged borrow one.
Some of them have been refurbished and look like new.
It's a very active fleet,they sail year round,right through the winter.In the winter they dry sail them along with 40 or 50 Lasers and Interclubs.It's a fun group without the cut throat tactics of the Star Class.
Contact:Cottage Park Yacht Club
1 Baker Square
Winthrop MA 02152

[ahp]

I belonged to Sandy Bay Yacht Club in Rockport, Massachusetts. The Club had a fleet of Rhodes 19's, the fin keel version, as well as some other classes. We liked them. It was an active class. I sailed one a few times. They sailed well, although I would not call them exciting.

[rbgarr]

My brother lives in Rockport overlooking the harbor (the octagonal house?) and owned one of those Rhodes 19's.