Whats the best bottom finish, and what should be done to optimize it?
Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on your perspective, the class rules allow a measure of flexibility. Ask 30 people and youll get 30 answers, all different and equally legitimate. The short answer is to make it smooth. The longer answer is that it depends on the current condition of the bottom, whats already on it, whether you plan to dry sail or wet sail, and so on. Waterline Systems, Inc. of Bristol, RI (401-254-0690), a company which optimizes Rhodes 19s, advocates stripping down to gelcoat. Then if you plan to dry sail, put on VC Underwater Epoxy, a gelcoat like finish made by Interlux. If wet sailing, put on Interprotect 2000E barrier coat, and then VC Offshore vinyl copper-based paint, both Interlux products. Whats the “Lindsay” rudder? Before turning to big boats, boat builder Mark Lindsay built small boats, and performance foils for small boats, including a Rhodes 19 rudder. The rudders are considered to be very good, in terms of strength, durability and particularly pe
