Super Swift (O'day) Information, Review, Specs

Built by the celebrated American firm O'Day, the Super Swift is a testament to the company's commitment to producing dependable and forgiving sailboats. George O'Day, an Olympic gold medalist and America's Cup tactician, founded the company in 1958, quickly embracing fiberglass to mass-produce well-designed vessels. The Super Swift embodies this ethos, offering a low-maintenance and enjoyable entry into the sport.

The O'Day Super Swift made its debut in 1966, part of a range that emphasized accessibility and ease of use. It was launched alongside the slightly smaller O'Day Swift, with the "Super Swift" designation indicating a larger boat with more sail area. O'Day's design philosophy during this era, as detailed by the company's history, focused on creating boats that were comfortable, stable, and practical, particularly appealing to families and new sailors. The use of fiberglass for the hull and deck ensured consistent quality and durability, hallmark characteristics of O'Day boats. The Super Swift, with its 12.67-foot length and 80 square feet of sail area, showcased these principles in a compact package. Production variations were primarily limited to the distinction between the Swift and Super Swift models themselves, as evidenced in contemporary brochures from 1966 and 1968.

Sailing Performance and Handling

As a compact day sailer, the O'Day Super Swift is characterized by its nimble and responsive handling, designed to provide "fun and thrills" on the water. Its lateen rig is a simple and efficient sail plan, well-suited for easy setup and operation, making it particularly forgiving for new sailors. The daggerboard hull design is another key feature, allowing for excellent shallow-water access and easy beaching, enhancing its versatility for coastal and lake sailing. This design also contributes to its portability, as the board can be fully retracted for trailering or car-topping. The Super Swift's light displacement of 120 pounds allows it to respond quickly to light breezes, while its sturdy fiberglass construction provides a stable platform for learning and recreational sailing.

Accommodations and Layout

Reflecting its design as a small, open day sailer, the O'Day Super Swift offers a straightforward and uncluttered layout focused entirely on the cockpit. Given its modest size, there are no interior accommodations or standing headroom. Instead, the boat features an open cockpit with bench seating, providing space for a couple of adults or a small family to enjoy a day on the water. The design prioritizes simplicity and functionality, with all sailing controls easily accessible from the cockpit. The solid fiberglass hull and deck materials ensure durability and low maintenance, consistent with O'Day's reputation for producing practical and enduring small sailboats.