Rhodes Bounty Information, Review, Specs

Sailing Performance & Handling

The Bounty II is a quintessential heavy-displacement cruiser characterized by a full keel, a deep forefoot, and elegant, sweeping overhangs. With a Displacement-to-Length (D/L) ratio typically exceeding 380, the boat is not a light-air performer; it requires a legitimate breeze to overcome its significant wetted surface. However, once the wind reaches 12–15 knots, the hull's 28-foot waterline effectively lengthens as it heels, allowing the boat to find its stride.

According to technical reviews in Practical Sailor, the vessel exhibits exceptional directional stability and a remarkably kind motion in a seaway, making it a favorite for shorthanded long-distance cruising. The high Comfort Ratio (approximately 41) translates to a predictable, slow roll that minimizes crew fatigue. While early models featured a fractional rig that could be finicky to tune, many were later converted to masthead rigs to accommodate larger headsails, improving performance in light to moderate air. Owners frequently note that while the boat is not "snappy" in maneuvers, it tracks with an iron-clad certainty that few modern fin-keel designs can replicate.

Interior Comfort & Variations

The interior of the Bounty II reflects the era of its birth, prioritizing seaworthiness over the "condo-style" volume found in modern production boats. The narrow 10.25-foot beam and significant side decks result in a cabin that feels snug but secure. The layout typically features a traditional V-berth forward, a small enclosed head, and a main salon with settee berths that serve as excellent sea berths.

There is a distinct evolutionary gap between the Aero Marine-built Bounty II and the later Pearson Rhodes 41. The original Bounty II interiors were often finished with painted fiberglass or faux-wood Formica—a "wonder material" of the 1950s intended to be maintenance-free. When Pearson took over the molds, they introduced more traditional teak joinery and relocated the engine from the bilge to a more accessible position behind the companionway. Pearson also increased the freeboard slightly and replaced the original single large coachroof window with two smaller, structurally superior ports, which significantly brightened the interior while addressing a known weak point in the cabin house.

Popular Mentions & Media

The Bounty II cemented its reputation in the racing world through the success of specific hulls, most notably Vashti. This 1958 Bounty II became a legend on the Great Lakes, securing overall wins in the Bayview Mackinac Race in 1960, 1965, and again in 1993, proving that the design remained competitive decades after its launch. The model's transition from wood to "plastic" was so significant at the time that it was featured in a 1960 issue of Popular Mechanics, which detailed the Aeromarine Plastics Corporation’s construction techniques and highlighted a promotional stunt where a hull was dropped from a crane to demonstrate its indestructibility.

Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist

Prospective buyers should focus on several era-specific technical concerns that are common to boats of this vintage:

• Iron Ballast vs. Lead: Early Bounty II models utilized encapsulated iron ballast. Over time, moisture can reach the iron, causing it to rust and expand, which can crack the fiberglass keel stub. The later Pearson-built Rhodes 41 versions utilized lead, which does not share this "swelling" issue.
• Deck Core Integrity: While the hulls are solid fiberglass and virtually indestructible, the decks are balsa-cored. Delamination and rot around stanchion bases, chainplates, and the large cabin windows are common.
• Engine Placement: In original Bounty II models, the engine is located deep in the bilge. This makes maintenance difficult and increases the risk of the engine being submerged if the bilge pump fails or the boat takes on water.
• Chainplates and Rigging: The original hardware was robust, but after 60+ years, stainless steel chainplates may suffer from crevice corrosion where they pass through the deck.
• Spars: Some early boats were equipped with fiberglass masts or wooden booms. Most of these have been replaced with aluminum, but any remaining original spars require a rigorous structural survey.

Community & Resources

The most active repository for technical data and owner history is the Pearson Yachts Portal, which maintains dedicated archives for the Rhodes 41 and its Bounty II predecessor. Because the designs are essentially identical (Rhodes Design #658), owners of both models often collaborate on restoration projects and technical solutions.

The Verdict

The Rhodes Bounty II is a "soul boat" for traditionalists who value heavy-weather capability and timeless aesthetics over interior volume. It remains one of the most cost-effective ways to own a pedigreed, blue-water capable classic.

Pros:

• Extremely robust "bulletproof" solid fiberglass hull construction.
• Exceptional sea-kindliness and tracking in heavy weather.
• Timeless Philip Rhodes lines that turn heads in any harbor.
• High righting moment and safety margins for offshore passages.

Cons:

• Sluggish performance in light winds due to high wetted surface and weight.
• Limited interior volume compared to modern 40-footers.
• Early models with iron ballast require careful inspection for keel expansion.
• Original engine placement in the bilge is poor for maintenance and safety.