O'day 12 Information, Review, Specs

History and Design

The O'Day 12 was in production from 1975 to 1980, emerging during a period when O'Day Corp. was a leading manufacturer of fiberglass sailboats in the United States. The company, founded by Olympic gold medalist George O'Day, was known for embracing fiberglass to allow for mass production and consistent quality, making sailing accessible to a broader audience. The O'Day 12 shares its hull with the well-regarded O'Day Widgeon, a popular design by Robert H. Baker. The O'Day 12 distinguished itself from the Widgeon by incorporating a daggerboard, a modified interior tank/seat arrangement, and a three-piece unstayed mast with a sleeved cat rig. This design approach aligns with O'Day's general ethos of building stable and user-friendly boats that were comfortable and forgiving, particularly appealing to families and those new to sailing.

Sailing Performance and Handling

Given its length overall of just over 12 feet, the O'Day 12 is a small sailing dinghy, and traditional performance ratios like sail area to displacement or ballast to displacement are not typically applied in the same way as they are for larger cruising sailboats. With a reported sail area of 75 square feet and a displacement of 243 pounds, it is designed for nimble handling and responsiveness. The cat rig, featuring a single unstayed mast and main sail, simplifies rigging and sail trim, making it an excellent choice for learning.

Owners and reviewers often describe small O'Day dinghies, including the Widgeon, as a "joy to sail," even in varying conditions. The daggerboard configuration allows for a minimum draft of 0.42 feet, enabling access to very shallow waters, while its maximum draft of 3.5 feet with the board down provides good lateral resistance for upwind performance. Its lightweight hull and simple rig contribute to a lively sailing experience, particularly in moderate breezes. Sailors appreciate its ease of handling, making it a suitable boat for those just starting out, while still offering enough responsiveness to be entertaining for more experienced helmsmen.

Accommodations and Layout

As a 12-foot sailing dinghy, the O'Day 12's "accommodations" are focused on a functional and comfortable cockpit rather than an enclosed cabin. There is no stand-up headroom. The design includes a modified interior tank/seat arrangement, suggesting built-in seating that likely also served as flotation or storage compartments. This simple layout emphasizes open-air sailing and ease of movement within the cockpit. Owners of similar small O'Day boats often speak of their practicality, with a focus on simple storage solutions for essential gear. The general construction of O'Day boats from this era, utilizing solid fiberglass for both hull and deck, would have provided a robust and low-maintenance platform.