O'day 15-1 Information, Review, Specs

The O'Day 15-1 was brought to life by O'Day Corp., a company founded in 1958 by Olympic gold medalist George Dyer O'Day, which grew to become one of the largest sailboat manufacturers in the United States. Designed by Andrew Kostanecki, the 15-1 was in production from 1970 to 1974. During this era, O'Day Corp. had embraced fiberglass as a construction material, allowing for efficient mass production and consistent quality, a hallmark of their boat-building journey after acquiring Marscot Plastics. The company's design philosophy centered on creating boats that were dependable, forgiving, and comfortable, appealing to families and those new to the sport. Many O'Day models, including the 15-1, featured a centerboard configuration, a design choice valued for its versatility in allowing access to shallow waters.

Sailing Performance and Handling

As a centerboard dinghy with a length overall of just under 15 feet and a reported sail area of 135 square feet, the O'Day 15-1 is characterized by its responsive and straightforward handling. [2, Its fractional sloop rigging contributes to an easily managed sail plan, making it forgiving for beginners yet engaging enough for more experienced daysailors. [2, The centerboard design offers adjustable draft, ranging from a minimum of 0.58 feet with the board up to 2.0 feet when fully extended, providing flexibility for beaching or sailing in various water depths. With a displacement of 350 pounds, the O'Day 15-1 is a light vessel, suggesting good performance in lighter winds and easy trailering. Overall, it delivers the stable and predictable sailing characteristics that O'Day boats were known for, ensuring a pleasant experience on the water.

Accommodations and Layout

Given its compact size and classification as a centerboard dinghy, the O'Day 15-1 is primarily an open cockpit boat designed for day sailing, rather than extended cruising. With a beam of 5.82 feet, its cockpit offers ample space for a small crew or family. [2, While a maximum headroom measurement is not applicable to its design, the layout is focused on maximizing open deck space and seating for comfortable day excursions. There are typically no enclosed accommodations for overnight stays, though many small daysailers of its type would offer some basic, open storage space forward, often referred to as a "cuddy" or cubby, for gear and provisions. The construction quality, typical of O'Day boats, would have utilized solid fiberglass for the hull and deck, ensuring durability and low maintenance, consistent with the builder's reputation for practical and accessible vessels.