While it is true that the General Boats genoa furling system requires you to drop the mast to remove the sail it is possible to replace the forestay and use a small boat furling system like CSI or Scheaffer Snap Furl. There are R22s out there with conventional nonfurling headsails as well.

Mary Lou
ex R22
now Rosborough RF 246

On 5/4/2026 9:00 PM, Stephen Staum wrote:
> I am on my 3rd Rhodes 22 since 2003. Your partner is correct as most
> sailboats have halyards that allow you to lower any sail. The Rhodes 22 is
> the exception. No halyards for main or Genoa. The only way to drop the main
> is to lower the mast & remove to sail assembly out the bottom.
>
>
> Stay Well,
> Stephen Staum
> s/v Pinafore
> Needham, MA
>
> On Mon, May 4, 2026 at 5:29 PM BARRY RUEHLEN <ruehbl at msn.com> wrote:
>
>> As some may recall, a friend and I took an '87 in over 4 years ago, At
>> that time we thought it was in need of substantial TLC. As we got into it,
>> things got worse. We then found termites. everything down to the stringers
>> had to come out. Even the stringers had to be redone. We got most of that
>> work done, and she got hit while on the trailer by hurricane Ian. The keel
>> dropped and snapped, and she sustained some body damage. That has been
>> repaired and we put on a beautiful application of Alexseal red paint. We
>> are now sailing and working on understanding the rigging better. I recently
>> put out a thread about out outhaul car and or rigging issue. We just got a
>> new car from Charles today and will give all that a go tomorrow. Will let
>> all know how that works.
>>   This thread is to address the fact that our rigging did not come with a
>> halyard. My partner in the boat says that is absolutely wrong and has never
>> sailed a boat without. (Back story, my partner has sailed all his life and
>> raced professionally. I know jack, really) The question is do you all have
>> a halyard to drop the head sail, and does anyone have a picture or diagram?
>> I assume the main sail can't have one because it's inside the mast?? This
>> actually came to the surface as we were talking to Art C. about purchasing
>> a headsail from him. BTY Art, we are still interested if you would like to
>> get back to me. My friend said you normally can change headsails without
>> dropping the mast.
>> Best
>> Barry Ruehlen
>> SV perseverance, Rhodes 22
>> Saint James City, Fl
>>
>> [ Sent From rhodes22.net ]
>>
>>