Rhodes 77 Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The creation of the Rhodes 77 unfolded in a significant period for American yacht building. Designed by Philip Rhodes, one of the most prolific and esteemed naval architects of the 20th century, the 77-foot ketch was specifically intended as a capable cruiser. Rhodes' design philosophy emphasized beautifully shaped and proportioned vessels, a characteristic evident in the Rhodes 77's distinctive sheerline. His diverse career saw him design everything from small dinghies to large yachts, showcasing his versatility and expertise.

The original four Rhodes 77s were meticulously constructed by the Burger Boat Company in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, all delivered in 1947. During this era, Burger Boat Company had already established a reputation for innovation and quality, notably constructing the first all-welded steel auxiliary ketch in 1938, a testament to their mastery of steel construction. This expertise was clearly applied to the Rhodes 77, which featured both a steel hull and superstructure. While the initial vessels were built in steel, at least one updated interpretation of the design, overseen by McCurdy & Rhodes, was later constructed from aluminum in the mid-1980s, highlighting the enduring appeal and adaptability of Rhodes' original vision.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Rhodes 77, with a length overall of just over 77 feet and a waterline of 55 feet, is a vessel built for comfort and stability rather than outright speed. Her substantial displacement of 120,000 pounds classifies her as a very heavy displacement yacht, signaling a design philosophy prioritizing strength and a comfortable motion in a seaway over lightweight performance. This is reflected in her displacement to length ratio of approximately 721.25, placing her firmly in the category of a traditional, robust cruiser.

With a reported sail area of 2,319 square feet, the Rhodes 77's sail area to displacement ratio of approximately 15.25 suggests a moderate sail plan relative to her mass. This indicates that while capable of good sailing, she is likely to be a steady performer, needing a decent breeze to truly come alive, rather than excelling in light airs. Her ballast to displacement ratio, around 0.183, is relatively low for a monohull, but given her immense overall weight and substantial steel construction, much of her stability derives from her significant form stability and heavy structure. She is described as a heavy sailboat, and while not overly "stiff" in a racing sense, she possesses excellent righting capability, reinforcing her suitability as a dependable cruiser. Despite some references as a motorsailer, Philip Rhodes himself considered the 77 to have good sailing ability, emphasizing her performance under canvas. The ketch rig offers flexibility in sail handling, allowing for various sail combinations to suit different conditions and ease of reefing.

The Rhodes 77's robust hull and ketch rig, combined with a minimum draft of 6.5 feet (with the centerboard up) and a maximum draft of 13.0 feet (centerboard down), offer versatility for both coastal exploration and offshore passages, allowing access to shallower anchorages while providing enhanced performance and stability on deeper waters.

Accommodations and Layout

As a grand 77-foot ketch, the Rhodes 77 offers extensive interior volume designed for comfortable living and extended voyaging. While detailed diagrams of the original interior layouts are not readily available, yachts of this size and era, particularly from a custom builder like Burger, would typically feature a meticulously crafted interior. The steel hull and deck would have allowed for significant headroom and a feeling of solidity throughout.

Common arrangements for a vessel of this magnitude would include multiple private cabins, often with V-berths forward and quarter berths aft, a spacious main salon for dining and lounging, a well-appointed galley designed for offshore cooking, and one or more heads. Given its design as a cruiser, considerable attention would have been paid to storage capacity for provisions and gear. The finish quality from Burger Boat Company would have been of the highest standard, likely featuring rich wood trim and joinery, reflecting the custom luxury yacht building ethos for which Burger is renowned. One example, a 1984 aluminum version, reportedly sleeps nine, indicating a substantial capacity for crew or guests.