1963 O'Day Rhodes 19 Main Sail delemma

C

Chef Garrin

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Sep 18, 2017
2
Oday Rhodes 19 Eastern Passage
I purchased a 1963 O'Day Rhodes 19 CB with no sails.... my question is should the main be footed or not? I have some sailmaker quotes saying footed and others saying not footed.
The boom is slotted but would like to know based on others experience which is better for a Rhodes 19.... footed or not.
 
Last edited:
Rick Webb

Rick Webb

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Jun 2, 2004
3,653
Hunter 23.5 Fort Walton Yacht Club, Florida
Is there a slot in the boom for a bolt rope? If not the answer is set for you. If there is a slot it is a matter of preference.

I've not sailed a R-19 in a long time but I don't the sails being footed. Our sails were shared with Cal-20s which may have dictated how the sails were set up.
 
C

Chef Garrin

.
Sep 18, 2017
2
Oday Rhodes 19 Eastern Passage
Rick Webb said:
Is there a slot in the boom for a bolt rope? If not the answer is set for you. If there is a slot it is a matter of preference.

I've not sailed a R-19 in a long time but I don't the sails being footed. Our sails were shared with Cal-20s which may have dictated how the sails were set up.
Click to expand
Boom is slotted and would like to hear what others think is better based on experience for a Rhodes 19
 
Brian S

Brian S

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Nov 9, 2012
2,500
Oday 192 Lake Nockamixon
Not based on specific Rhodes 19 experience, but general experience is that a loose footed main is easier to see and adjust the amount of draft for the lower portion of the sail. (Outhaul adjustment.)

Before I went and bought new sails, I would consult with the class association to make sure there is no prohibition on loose footed mains, or if there are any class legal lofts for sails. http://rhodes19.org Whether you wanted to race or not, this decision could make it easier to sell the boat later if someone were a racer and wanted to buy it, they'd already have class legal sails.

For example, I know there are 2 class legal lofts for both the Flying Scot and for the Force 5. I chose to buy a non-class legal sail for my Force 5, considering I didn't have a racing fleet at my lake. I think a local club would still let me race with them if I decided to make the trip, but it would be nice to have a sail from the approved loft, which is also considered to be the fastest sail. Just didn't feel like getting spendy at the time...

Ahhh, here it is in the rules, section RB 21.01.03:
"The full length of the luff (except when reefed) and foot of all mainsails shall, when
in use, be attached to the spars by having the bolt rope or slides run in slots in the spars. No loose footed or miter cut sails shall be used."

http://rhodes19.org/class-rules/rulebook/

So, yeah, no loose footed mains are allowed for a racing Rhodes 19.
 
J

jwing

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Jun 5, 2014
503
ODay Mariner Guntersville
I sail an O'Day Mariner. The hull is the same as the Rhodes 19 hull. You can check sailboatdata.com for the differences in the rigs. The mainsail on a Rhodes 19 is 3 sqft larger than the Mariner's mainsail.

I like the loose-footed sail better due to the better adjustability, as Brian S. mentioned. Plus, if you are considering the Rhodes 19 as a stepping stone to bigger boats, most sails are being made loose-footed now, so you might as well start learning about them.

Regarding the potential of selling to a Rhodes 19 racer, I wouldn't let that change my mind. A racer will want to purchase new sails anyway. You will not be altering the boat in a way that would prohibit the future use of a footed sail. And the class may have changed their rule by then.
 
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Brian S

Brian S

.
Nov 9, 2012
2,500
Oday 192 Lake Nockamixon
jwing said:
Regarding the potential of selling to a Rhodes 19 racer, I wouldn't let that change my mind. A racer will want to purchase new sails anyway.
Click to expand
That's a good point. Avid Rhodes racers probably already have really firm opinions on who makes fast sails, and would want a new suit of preferred loft sails anyway.
 
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