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Owner's Comments
Rhea has always worked since her launch in 1900. Originally carrying stone, she now carries people in style and comfort. She has a magic that is unique and captures the imagination of all ages. She is great for young and old being spacious and solid. We have had many happy family charters of several generations, the children have a great time swinging on ropes from the yard arms, climbing the ratlines, etc.. We have also had corporate charters with team building and bonding, character assessments, etc., whilst enjoying fine food, drink and the Mediterranean experience. We have sailed Rhea extensively in the Eastern Med, but have also explored further a field to Italy, Malta, Tunisia, Algeria, Gibraltar, Spain and France, where-ever we go her fine lines draw a crowd.
We had admired Rhea from a distance, never dreaming that we would ever own her! When a friend told us that she was going to be left to sink we went out of curiosity and started a love affair and adventure that has lasted over 15 years. Although neglected she was still sound and we were able to strip her back to the bare hull and refit her out to charter in comfort and style. From 1989 onwards we have never stopped making her better. She had been changed to a ketch rig, but this was not a good balance, the larger jibs were not easy to manage and the mizzen was mounted on a steel table over the gearbox.
We restored her to the original rig which is more balanced, easier to handle, much more fascinating, and looks great. The main mast is stepped in the original position forward of the engine room, and old bolt holes through forward deck beams are back in use for topsail sheet fittings, etc.. Her engine was mounted with an extra connecting shaft between the gearbox and shaft, we have mounted her new engine back in the original position further aft, eliminating the additional shaft. Rhea has her original rig but the convenience of a hydraulic windlass and the luxuries such as air conditioning, and en-suite heads with showers and hand basins. RheaIn Greek mythology, Rhea was the mother of the gods, daughter of Uranus and Gaia. She was married to her brother Cronus and was the mother of Demeter, Hades, Hera, Hestia, Poseidon and Zeus.
Cronus was jealous of the future power of his children and, to secure his dominion, he ate his own children. Rhea managed to rescue one son, Zeus. She hid him in the Dictean Cave in Crete and gave Cronus a stone wrapped in the clothes of the infant, which he swallowed. Thus Rhea succeeded in making him believe that he had killed all of his children. When Zeus reached maturity he overpowered and dethroned his father and made Cronus disgorge his siblings. Rhea is identified with mother goddess Cybele from Asia Minor and is also known as Rhea Cybele and Magna Mater ("great mother"). She was worshipped with orgiastic rites. Rhea is depicted between two lions or on a chariot pulled by lions.
Rhea in white livery (2007 Season) Note:The owner is offering free accommodation for a few days to anyone that goes out to look at her (subject to availability). |
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