7/11 (O'day) Information, Review, Specs

The O'Day 7/11 was in production from 1961 to 1970, a period during which O'Day Corp. was rapidly expanding its manufacturing capabilities and cementing its reputation for producing popular, user-friendly fiberglass boats. Founded by Olympic gold medalist George O'Day, the company championed fiberglass construction, which allowed for mass production and consistent quality, aligning perfectly with the utilitarian nature of the 7/11. The designer, Robert H. Baker, aimed to create a boat that was "light to handle" and "extremely safe," making it an ideal choice for beginners. A key aspect of its design versatility was its availability both as a complete sailboat with a cat rig and daggerboard, and as a rowing-only utility dinghy without sailing components. This dual purpose underscored O'Day's commitment to practicality and broad appeal. Its light weight also made it easy to hoist aboard larger vessels, further enhancing its utility as a yacht tender.

Sailing Performance and Handling

As a small dinghy, the O'Day 7/11 is characterized by its straightforward sailing performance and forgiving handling. With a simple cat rig, which features a single mast and sail, it is designed for ease of use, making it an excellent platform for learning to sail. Its daggerboard keel system provides stability and allows for shallow water access, with a minimum draft of just 0.33 feet when the board is retracted. Owners and enthusiasts describe it as a stable and easy-to-manage boat, well-suited for calm waters and light breezes. Its primary purpose is fun and utility, rather than high-performance racing, offering a balanced and predictable ride that instills confidence in new sailors. The two-piece mast can be quickly rigged and stored inside the hull, highlighting its design for convenience and transportability.

Accommodations and Layout

Given its diminutive size, the O'Day 7/11 offers very basic accommodations and an open, functional layout typical of a small sailing dinghy. The design prioritizes open cockpit space for either rowing or sailing. There is no enclosed cabin or standing headroom (as indicated by a null max_headroom_ft in its specifications), reflecting its role as a day sailer or tender rather than an overnight cruiser. The interior is generally simple, likely featuring benches or seating molded into the fiberglass hull, providing comfortable positions for rowing or sailing. Storage would be minimal, perhaps consisting of small compartments or open areas suitable for personal gear or safety equipment. The construction, like other O'Day models, would have utilized solid fiberglass for the hull and deck, known for its durability and low maintenance, appealing to those seeking a robust and unfussy boat.

Owner's Perspectives

Owners of the O'Day 7/11 consistently praise its attributes as a foundational boat for learning to sail and a versatile utility dinghy. Its robustness and the simplicity of its cat rig make it an excellent choice for introducing children or new sailors to the sport. Many appreciate its light weight, which facilitates easy launching, retrieval, and transport, often highlighting its use as a tender for larger boats or as a family fun boat for exploring sheltered waters. While detailed forums or formal reviews specifically for the 7/11 are less common than for larger O'Day cruisers, general sentiment among O'Day owners suggests a high regard for the brand's build quality, particularly for production boats of that era. Common discussions revolve around restoring older models, sourcing missing parts, and adapting modern rigging hardware to maintain these classic dinghies, underscoring a dedicated community that values the boat's enduring simplicity and functionality.