O'Day Super Sprite 10 Information, Review, Specs

As a product of the O’Day Corporation during its peak years in the 1960s and 70s, the Super Sprite shares its hull DNA with several other "pocket" boats in the O’Day fleet. Its most direct sibling is the standard O’Day Sprite (10' 2"), and it served as the logical precursor to the slightly larger Widgeon (12' 4"). These boats were often sold to community sailing programs and yacht clubs due to their durable fiberglass construction and the ability to be easily righted after a capsize. According to vintage marketing materials from the O'Day Corporation, the Super Sprite was specifically positioned to bridge the gap between a slow-moving trainer and a competitive racing dinghy.

Sailing Performance & Handling

The handling of the O’Day Super Sprite is characterized by its high sensitivity to weight distribution and sail trim. Because of its light displacement and 10-foot waterline, the boat provides immediate feedback to the helm, a trait that makes it an exceptional teaching tool. Unlike the more common cat-rigged trainers of its era, the Super Sprite’s sloop rig requires the sailor to manage the interaction between the jib and the mainsail, teaching the fundamentals of the "slot effect" and headsail sheeting.

The hull design features a relatively flat bottom toward the stern and a subtle kick in the bow, allowing it to plane in moderate breezes—a feat less common in its more sedate sibling, the standard Sprite. The use of a kick-up rudder and a weighted centerboard allows the boat to be sailed into very shallow water or launched directly from a beach. Anecdotal accounts from historical fleet reviews suggest that while the boat is stable enough for a cautious beginner, it rewards an active hiker in 10–15 knots of wind. Its SA/Disp (Sail Area to Displacement) ratio is notably higher than the standard trainer models of the time, giving it a "lively" feel that can catch an inattentive sailor off guard during a gybe.

Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist

When inspecting a vintage O’Day Super Sprite, the most critical areas of concern involve the structural integrity of the fiberglass and the age of the flotation systems.

• Mast Step Compression: The mast step is a frequent point of failure in older O’Day dinghies. Over decades of tension, the fiberglass laminate underneath the mast can compress or crack. Potential buyers should look for "spiderweb" crazing or a visible depression in the deck or hull where the mast rests.
• Centerboard Trunk Leaks: The gasket and the pivot pin for the centerboard are prone to wear. Inspect the trunk for signs of weeping or previous epoxy repairs. If the centerboard is made of wood (as seen in early models), check for rot or delamination.
• Flotation Tank Integrity: The Super Sprite relies on sealed air tanks for buoyancy. If these tanks have developed hairline cracks or the inspection ports have failed, the boat can become a "sinker" rather than a "floater" upon capsize. It is essential to test these tanks or ensure they have been retrofitted with modern closed-cell foam.
• Rudder Hardware: The pintles and gudgeons (the hinges that attach the rudder to the transom) are often under-engineered for the stresses of high-speed planing. Ensure the transom fiberglass is not flexing or cracking around these mounting points.

Community & Resources

The O’Day Super Sprite benefits from a massive legacy of O’Day owners. While there is no longer an active factory-backed class association specifically for the Super Sprite, technical support is widely available through the O'Day Owners' gallery and forums, which host a repository of manual scans and rigging diagrams. For those seeking replacement parts, some molds and hardware specifications were historically maintained by Stuart Marine, the company that continued production for several of O'Day's other designs like the Rhodes 19 and the DaySailer.

The Verdict

The O’Day Super Sprite 10 remains one of the most effective and affordable ways to learn the nuances of sloop-rigged sailing. It is small enough to be transported in the bed of a pickup truck but sophisticated enough to keep an intermediate sailor engaged.

Pros:

• Excellent Teacher: The sloop rig teaches advanced sail trim better than cat-rigged competitors.
• Portability: At 10 feet, it is easily handled by two people and requires a minimal trailer or a large vehicle for transport.
• Durability: The thick fiberglass hulls of the O’Day era are famously robust and easy to repair.

Cons:

• Weight Sensitivity: Not suitable for more than two small adults; performance suffers significantly if overloaded.
• Vintage Hardware: Original hardware can be brittle; many boats require modern upgrades for safety.
• Low Freeboard: In choppy water, the Super Sprite can be a very wet ride compared to larger day sailers.