Kitten (O'day) Information, Review, Specs

The O'Day Kitten emerged during a period of rapid expansion for O'Day Corporation, which, under George O'Day's leadership, was pioneering the mass production of fiberglass sailboats in the United States. Between 1962 and 1965, approximately 1,200 units of the Kitten were built, a testament to the company's commitment to creating affordable and user-friendly boats. George O'Day's design philosophy was centered on demystifying sailing, making it "family fun" by producing boats that were simple to rig and easy to handle, thereby encouraging newcomers to the sport. The Kitten, with its diminutive size and straightforward features, perfectly aligned with this objective, requiring little maintenance and offering attractive, molded-in colors in its fiberglass hull and deck. Its design included a daggerboard keel, a versatile feature that allowed for a minimum draft of just 0.16 feet (ideal for launching and shallow water), which could be extended to a maximum draft of 1.83 feet for sailing efficiency.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The O'Day Kitten's design prioritizes simplicity and manageability, making it well-suited for learning and recreational day sailing. Weighing a mere 65 pounds with a total sail area of 42 square feet, it is an exceptionally light dinghy. The boat features a lateen rig, a triangular sail set on a long yard mounted at an angle to the mast. This ancient yet effective rigging type offers several advantages for a small, simple boat like the Kitten, including its inherent simplicity to build and operate, and its ability to sail relatively close to the wind, facilitating maneuverability. The daggerboard, which can be raised or lowered, further enhances the boat's versatility, allowing it to navigate very shallow waters or be easily beached. While specific anecdotes on the Kitten's handling are limited, its lightweight nature, combined with the general O'Day design philosophy of creating forgiving and easily managed vessels, suggests it offers a lively yet controllable experience for those new to sailing or seeking a no-fuss day sailer.

Accommodations and Layout

Given its compact length overall of just over 10 feet, the O'Day Kitten is an open-cockpit dinghy designed for day sailing, not for overnight accommodations. There is no interior cabin or standing headroom to speak of. The layout is typically a straightforward open space, optimized for a single sailor or a small family for short excursions. The simple design would have prioritized maximizing usable cockpit space for seating and ease of movement, typical for a recreational dinghy of its era. Storage would likely be limited to small, open compartments or reliance on dry bags for personal gear. The use of solid fiberglass for both the hull and deck ensured durability and low maintenance, consistent with O'Day's aim of making sailing accessible and practical.