Bill W.,
You must be an engineer type for Duke power to have this much interest in  
hardware. You and Roger have a lot in common. There are a number of Rhodies that 
 fly spinnakers and UPS's, but the majority of us are more concerned about 
things  like refrigeration and how much food and rum can be stored in the 
galley. How  comfortable are the cushions? Is my stereo doing justice to the Pink 
Floyd CD  I'm playing?
Now those are really important subjects and a lot more interesting than  
hardware and sails and whisker poles. You really need to pay attention to  the 
things that are important to your crew. 
Decisions as to the year and vintage of the wine you are serving and  whether 
to purchase regular salami or salami with garlic?  Regular chips or  dippin 
chips? Hot sauce or mild sauce? Regular baked beans or beans with  weenies? 
Cheap paper plates or chinette? All that other stuff doesn't really  matter if 
you haven't taken care of the basic necessities.
I can see that we have a long road ahead of us trying to make you a  
certified Rhodie.
 
Rummy