Week-Ender (Rhodes) Information, Review, Specs

The story of the Rhodes Week-Ender begins with the concept pioneered by Donald Abbott. Following a successful earlier version designed by Sparkman & Stephens in 1938, Abbott commissioned Philip L. Rhodes for an entirely new iteration, which became known as the "New Week-Ender" (Rhodes design #462). Production commenced and concluded in 1941, a period marked by the looming shadows of World War II, which significantly limited its build run to just six units.

During this era, Palmer Scott & Co. Inc., founded by MIT-trained naval architect Palmer Scott, had already established a reputation for building "fabulous wooden yachts" with a strong emphasis on traditional craftsmanship. This ethos aligned perfectly with the construction of the Week-Ender, which featured a robust wooden hull and deck. Philip Rhodes himself was a prolific designer, active for five decades, known for a diverse range of vessels that were celebrated for their elegance, speed, and inherent seaworthiness. The Week-Ender, with its long keel and fractional sloop rig, stands as a testament to the classic design principles prevalent before the widespread adoption of fiberglass.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Rhodes Week-Ender's design parameters suggest a powerful and stable sailing experience, indicative of its traditional build. With a length overall of nearly 39 feet and a waterline length of 27 feet, the boat carries a displacement of 17,000 pounds.

Analyzing its performance ratios, the Week-Ender exhibits characteristics of a capable cruiser. Its Sail Area to Displacement Ratio (SA/D) is approximately 15.94, suggesting moderate performance. While not designed as a light-air speedster, it would likely offer steady progress in a range of conditions. The Ballast to Displacement Ratio (Ballast/Disp) of approximately 0.41 indicates a relatively stiff and stable boat, capable of standing up to a good breeze and providing a comfortable motion in a seaway. Furthermore, its Displacement Length Ratio (DLR) of approximately 385.5 classifies it as a heavy displacement vessel. This heavy build contributes to its seaworthiness and ensures a smooth ride, even in more challenging conditions, prioritizing comfort and safety over outright speed. Given Philip Rhodes's design philosophy, it is reasonable to infer that the Week-Ender would have been designed to be well-balanced and responsive, offering a pleasurable handling experience for her time.

Accommodations and Layout

Due to its rarity and age, specific detailed interior layouts for the Rhodes Week-Ender are scarce. However, as a yacht designed for weekend or coastal cruising, it would have offered a functional and comfortable, albeit perhaps not overly spacious, interior arrangement typical of its era. With a beam of 9.5 feet, the cabin would have accommodated essential cruising amenities.

Likely features would include a forward V-berth, a main salon area with settees that could convert to berths, and potentially a fold-down table. A small galley, perhaps with a sink and icebox, would have provided basic cooking capabilities. A marine head would be expected, and while maximum headroom is not specified in available data, a boat of this size would typically offer standing headroom in at least part of the main salon. The use of materials would have heavily favored wood, reflecting the craftsmanship of Palmer Scott & Co. Inc. during this period. The vessel carries a water capacity of 30 gallons and a fuel capacity of 20 gallons, indicating a design intended for self-sufficiency on short to medium voyages.