Oday Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997

Review of the Oday Rhodes-19 by Jack Andrews

Year built	1971
Location of boat	Adirondack lake- upstate NY
The boat is sailed on	Lakes
How the boat is used	Day sailing
Normal wind strength	10-15 knots
Average size of crew	2-4
Liveaboard?	No
Owner bought the boat in	1973
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again?	I am a former long-term sailboat dealer. I acquired my first Rhodes 19 as a result of a trade in for a new O'day 22. No one aappeared to want the boat so I snatched it up one day and took it to my summer home.......it's never been anywhere else!I have owned, sailed, cruised and raced about 40 boats in my career as a marine dealer. I have owned larger, go-fast, cruiser, and smaller boats but my favorite is my Rhodes 19. In fact I own 2 Rhodes 19's - both centerboard models which is the most practical for my situation.Never, has there been a better daysailor - comfy cockpit, plenty of deck space, nice convenient rig (after a few minor chnages and enhancements) and just a plain "fun boat". Where else can you get a daysailor that allows you to walk uo the side decks to the bow??
Gear that's been added	Mid boom sheeting with a Harken 6:1 block set off the aft end of the centerboard trunk; 2:1 mainsail outhaul: flattening reef: Harken cam cleats for the jib sheets: slightly longer jib sheet tracks: boom topping lift (helps prevent battered craniums): spinnaker gear; soft 4:1 boom vang: beverage holders.
Structural or complex improvements	replaced all the ribs (with mahogany) and re-inforced the side decks using aluminum angle - what a difference it makes to stiffen up those spongy side decks! Also added a satinless tabernacle in the mast just below halyard exit box - raise and lower mast by tipping forward - but much easier than stepping it through the deck and taking the risks associated.
The boat's best features	This is one of the best performance, comfy daysailors ever produced. Well built, fun to sail, easy to fly the chute with little hassle.
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc.	Rudder wears and must be shimmed - but only about every 3 years. Get rid of the wire to rope halyards and go with 100% low stretch dacron - it saves the fingers.If you have a centerboard boat, upgrade the size of the cable to 3/16's or 7/32's 7X19 and you will be much happier - and will never replace it !! Also- drop your centerboard, fair it out and give it good barrier coat. Use a neoprene washer backed by an oversize stainless or brass washer on the centerboard axle. Make sure to use speader boots on your main spreadersa nd jumber struts - will save a ripped spinnaker!!
Sailing characterisitcs	Boat is stable, easily controlled in higher velocity breezes by feathering the mainsail and sailing with a bubble. Keep the top of the mast raked a little aft and harden up the lower shrouds to keep the mast from pumping. I have a flattening reef and lst set of reef points for 'wicked' winds - forget trying to 'roller-furl' the mainsail. spend the few dollars to make it a comfy heavy weather boat.
Motoring characterisitcs	IF you drop the centerboard about 4 inches, this boat will motor like a well behaved keel boat. A 4hp is plenty and will always get you home.
Liveability	It's a BIG daysailor, but you can 'nap' on it. My children and the children of friends have spent many hours curled up under the generous foredeck zonked out while the rest of us sail!
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)	[builder]
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any	Get one any where you can!!
Other comments	If you are a seriously fun sailor, enjoy a steady boat with reasonable performace characteristics - want great stability then a Rhodes 19 fits the bill.A little effort to keep your Rhodes 19 looking sharp ( a little wax, a little varnish for the floorboards and cockpit trim) it will return the favor.

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