19' Rhodes O'Day Mariner Sloop (1966) - WILDFLOWER

I love classic boats. So when I saw this 19 foot 1966 O’Day Mariner sloop I knew it was going home with me. A classic Philip Rhodes design and updated as a family cruiser by George O’Day. The classic lines just catch your eye. The early version had an open cabin.

I decided to enclose the cabin with mahogany doors, cockpit comings and a new tiller. A bowsprit, a paint job and a new interior design helped me update things and make it comfortable. At 1,400 lbs. and a mast of just under 25 feet she’s a great trailer sailor. With the cast iron centerboard raised she only draws 10 inches. Although now a production boat. She was originally a plywood sloop called the Hurricane designed by Rhodes.

Sunset sails are best on our local lake in Stillwater New Jersey. WILDFLOWER has exceeded my expectations of what a classic boat should be.