Larry,

Welcome to the Rhodes 22 Owner's email list. Glad to have you aboard, even if still on the hard.

I've seen a cleat in the position that you have only once before. It was to securely "lock" the companionway door using a line that was affixed to the door threaded through the cleat on the front of the centerboard step. After inserting the door, the line was cleated tight followed by sliding the poptop hatch closed and locked.

The silicone bead that you have was probably added to prevent water intrusion when sailing in rough conditions. Most likely it didn’t work too well as silicone caulk is meant to be compressed to effectively seal against leaks. There are better products to work as a sealant when applied as a "bead".

Mike
s/v Wind Lass ('91)
Nissequogue River, NY
I’d rather be sailing :~)

-----Original Message-----
From: Rhodes22-list <rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org> On Behalf Of Larry W
Sent: Monday, August 11, 2025 4:07 PM
To: rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org
Subject: [Rhodes22-list] 2 questions about my Rhodes

I bought my Rhodes last year and have not had it in the water yet. When I get the mast up and boom on in my driveway I may be able to tell what this is for. What is the cleat in the cabin as you step through the companionway? It is on the centerboard trunk and its position tells me a line comes down from above to be cleated.

>From what I gather the hull is one piece and deck is one piece. Where the two meet a previous owner ran what looks to be a continuous silicone bead around the boat. Is there an issue with the Rhodes leaking water into the cabin at this point? Serenity is a 1990 model.

Larry Willis
Serenity