Seeking sails for 14' Rhodes Bantam

[Great Lakes Sail Museum]

My name is Dr. James McCluskey and I am curator of the Great Lakes Small Boat Sailing Museum in Big Rapids, Michigan. We are in the process of restoring a 14' Rhodes Bantam mahogany sailboat and we need sails for her. We prefer at least a main, and preferably a main & jib. A spinnaker would also be welcomed. We will pay any reasonable price, and in any condition.

We are also seeking assistance in securing grants to help us purchase the land and construct a pole building to keep some of our valuable exhibits out of the severe Michigan weather. Many of our wooden boat exhibits are operational and include a 30 foot class X experimental wooden scow, a class "C" scow, a Shark Catamaran, a 1943 wooden lightning, the Rhodes Bantam, a 14' Blue Jay and several others. Any help would be appreciated! :) Thank you!

Sincerely,

Dr. James McCluskey, curator
email: one_great_dad1@hotmail.com
cell: 325-203-2525

[rbgarr]

Out of date but a place to start?

Rhodes Bantam Class Association(RBCA)

Address: Address unknown. Ithaca, NY 14850 USA
Contact Name: Burlitch, Kathy
Phone: (607) 539-7316

Founded: 1947

Description: Owners of Rhodes Bantam sailboats and other interested individuals. Promotes the sailing and racing of Rhodes Bantam sailboats and enthusiasm in the sport of sailing. Presently inactive
Conventions / Meetings: annual International Championship Regatta meeting - usually first week of August.

[Great Lakes Sail Museum]

Thank you for the suggestion. I spoke with her husband Jim and they don't have any leads on used sails. They suggested we have new sails made by Rowland Sailmakers. We are trying to keep the boat as original as possible for exhibit in the museum, so we will continue to try to find someone with a used set of sails. Thanks again for the tip!

Perhpas someone who reads this will have an extra set of sails from an old boat or from one which was lost or destroyed.

Thank you for your kindness!

Jim

[rbgarr]

Bantams appear from time to time on eBay, like these. Set up a search that would notify you by e-mail when they do.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=170362031717

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1976-Rhodes-Bantam-14-Sailboat-trailer-included_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ65Q3a12Q7c66Q 3a2Q7c39Q3a1Q7c72Q3a1205Q7c293Q3a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_tr ksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem439936b4b4QQitemZ2 90333308084QQptZSailboats

[etrain]

Dr. McCluskey,

I am the purchaser of a Rhodes Bantam 14' on eBay recently that coincidentally has two sets of sails (including spinnakers). I would be willing to discuss parting with one set. I also contacted you via the sailing museum email pursuant to your request through the seller.

Ethan