Thanks for re-posting this, Josh. The Rhodes 22 website is still there, and their "list" forum/archive looks like it's pretty active. Anyone know if the business is still there, and if they are still recycling their boats?
Hello, this is TomLuQue. May I build a custom MastGate for your sailboats? I would require is a 8 to 12” mast section with the feed slot cut out. I enjoyed the history of your endeavors in Sailing Business.
FYI Those of us on the Rhodes 22 owners email list received this notice from Stan's daughter Cindy on June 19. She said
"Stanley Spitzer – the creator and relentless innovator of the Rhodes 22
sailboat; the inventor of the earlier Picnic 17; the love of Rose Spitzer’s
life for more than 70 years; father of Cindy, Scott, and Skip Spitzer; dear
brother of Elton Spitzer (also a legend in his time); the impossibly
precocious first born of Harold and Gertrude Spitzer; the Purdue University
trained electrical engineer, self-taught Madison Avenue copywriter,
management consultant, wire recorder salesman, and builder of mid-century
homes so unconventional he had to go to court to defend his roof lines; the
98-year-old World War II Navy veteran; the perpetually young risk-taker who
never saw a mountain too tall or a dream too distant; the skinny can-do kid
from Brooklyn who dragged a sunken sailboat out of Sheepshead Bay and
thought he would live forever – has died.
Every person is a universe. A solar system of friends, relatives, and
countless people we touch in countless way, often without fully knowing who
or how much.
And every death is a universe imploding. A world and all its stories
suddenly gone.
No words can capture a person’s life. Just know that if you are reading
this right now, that means you – the full, evolving universe of you –
intersected with Stan in some way and left your mark. As he certainly left
his on us."
On June 20 she added:
"Just a quick note to confirm that the GB Parts Department is still open and
functioning (via Charles Gabriel). General Boats has everything from sails
to hard to find replacement parts and many other items you may need to
repair or upgrade your boat. We also have some used Rhodes available in
Edenton, NC, if anyone has an interested.
Thank you again for all your kind words, great stories, and memories
through the years.
A memorial for Stan may be held at this fall's Annapolis Sailboat Show,
where he was an exhibitor for more than 50 years. I will send updates as I
know more."
Thanks for sharing.
Stan died last month but had a great inning and left us with an excellent boat!
Thanks, Graham. Great to learn that he and Roger MacGregor connected at one point, and maybe inspired Roger to design and produce the powersailers.
Thanks for the update. Sad to hear it, but you're sure right about his accomplishments.
Thanks for re-posting this, Josh. The Rhodes 22 website is still there, and their "list" forum/archive looks like it's pretty active. Anyone know if the business is still there, and if they are still recycling their boats?
Great determination! Loved this, hang in there Stan. I still see some of the Rhodes 22 s here along Barnegat Bay, always wanted to own one.
Hello, this is TomLuQue. May I build a custom MastGate for your sailboats? I would require is a 8 to 12” mast section with the feed slot cut out. I enjoyed the history of your endeavors in Sailing Business.