O'Day Rhodes 19 Sailboat: Flexible for Racing or Family Sailing (1973)

Youngsters Crusing on a Rhodes 19 Sailing near the Shoreline. | GGA Image ID # 23f6257829

The wind is brisk as you race for the windward mark, or you're heading for a leisurely sail to a favorite picnic spot with four adults and several children aboard; both scenes dramatize the flexibility of the Gold Medal Rhodes 19. We named her after her designer, Philip Rhodes.

Racing or cruising, the Rhodes 19 offers plenty of gear and comfort. Her deep cockpit seats 6 on wide, comfortable seats with solid flotation inside.

There's a generous shelter cabin forward with shelves for sheets and small gear, and two large dry lockers for sails, lunch, or sleeping bags.

At the aft, there's additional stowage for an outboard up to 7 HP or other gear.

Sailing in Open Waters on an O'Day Rhodes 19 Sailboat. | GGA Image ID # 23f666a216

There's an outboard well on the transom that also serves as an icebox. Rich mahogany coaming trim and mahogany floorboards warm the entire cockpit.

The cockpit on the Rhodes 19 is where the action is. All lines are easily handled from there, with the cabin top serving as a "control console for halyards, sheets, and optional pole lift and boom vang… plus acting as a spray shield.

Well-matched to the rugged, displacement hull, the rig is strong, simple, and powerful. Strong enough to withstand the screaming winds of San Francisco Bay in 1967's Heavy Weather One-of-a-Kind Regatta without a breakdown, and powerful enough to win it overall.

The Thrill of Sailing on an O'Day Rhodes 19 Sailboat. | GGA Image ID # 23f6e9d8a9

Excitement For Young Adults Leaning Into the Wind on the O'Day Rhodes 19. | GGA Image ID # 23f70d3d24

The fore-triangle is a 3/4 rig, with adjustable block-fitted sheet leads for more efficient venturi-slot-effect sailing on the wind. This moderately-sized headsail also helps keep crew requirements to a minimum. In all but heavy winds, the Gold Medal Rhodes can be sailed single-handed.

The optional spinnaker is large enough to offer excellent performance off the wind, yet small enough to be handled by the skipper and one crew member.

The North American Yacht Racing Union selected the keel model for the 1971 Senior Men's Championships. Yet, for all of the experts who've sailed her, Rhodes 19 remains a favorite beginner's boat.

The Rhodes 19 Class Association is one of the country's best. National Championships are sailed annually, and frequent Regional Regattas are held. In all, over 2,300 keel-and-centerboard models have been built, making this one of the most active classes in North America. And the largest fleet on Long Island Sound. For class information, contact: James McCray, Tiburon, California.

Stowing the Main Sail on the Rhodes 19. | GGA Image ID # 23f73d8363

O'Day Rhodes 19 Specs

Length: 19'2"
Beam: 7'
Draft: Centerboard up 10" down 4'11" Keel model 3'3"
Sail area: 175 sq. ft.

What Was the 1973 Price Worth in Today's Money?

In 2025, the Relative Values of $2,715.00 from 1973 Ranges from $15,000.00 to $58,600.00.

A Simple Purchasing Power Calculator Would Say the Relative Value Is $19,700.00. This Answer Is Obtained by Multiplying $2715 by the Percentage Increase in the Cpi from 1973 to 2025.

If You Want to Compare the Value of a $2,715.00 Commodity in 1973 There Are Four Choices. in 2025 the Relative:

• Real Price of That Commodity Is $19,700.00
• Labor Value of That Commodity Is $20,900.00 (Using Production Worker Compensation)
• Income Value of That Commodity Is $36,300.00
• Economic Share of That Commodity Is $58,600.00

Samuel H. Williamson, "Seven Ways to Compute the Relative Value of a U.S. Dollar Amount, 1790 to present," MeasuringWorth, 2026. URL: www.measuringworth.com/uscompare/

Note from GG Archives: Historical price comparisons are approximate. A 1973 price converted to 2025 dollars reflects relative purchasing power, not the actual modern market price of a comparable item. Modern prices may differ because the product, market, quality, scarcity, and method of production have changed.

Standard Boat Pricing

$2495 - Main & Jib $220.| Total Price: $2715.

The Standard Price includes as Standard Equipment $664 worth of features and equipment as follows:

Pleasure Group $268. Value

Storage shelves 1501. Bow storage locker (201. Boom crutch (151. Cockpit drain plug (8). Varnished Philippine mahogany floorboards 1401. 2-year warranty. Outboard motor well. All hardware is non-corrosive or made of stainless steel. Vinyl gunwale guard (35). Rear storage rack (35). Kick up rudder (C/13 model 155). Mooring and trailing bow eye (10).

Accent Group $112. Value

Fiberglass centerboard trunk cap (C/B model 135). Molded in waterline stripe (20). Varnished Philippine mahogany trim (351). Gold anodized mast and boom (12). All colors molded in. Gold racing stripe (110).

Safety Group $92. Value

Positive foam flotation (40). Roller reefing (112). Stainless steel rigging with swaged terminals (18). Non-skid decks and seats. Thru-Bolted® mooring and stern cleats (122).

High Performance Group $192. Value

Quick release cam cleats for main and jib sheets (40). Adjustable jib sheet leads (10). Stainless steel wire halyards with dacron tail (12). Stainless steel turnbuckles (45). Internal mast halyards 125). Tapered mast (60). Best dacron running rigging.

O'Day builds valuable necessary equipment into each boat as "standard"… for your safety and enjoyment. Compare O'Day's equipment and construction with any other boat for total value and quality.

Prices shown are Suggested Retail. F.O.B. factory.

O'Day Rhodes 19 for 1973. O'Day 1973 Gold Medal Fleet Catalog. Part 1 of 2. | GGA Image ID # 23f5d9f290

O'Day Rhodes 19 for 1973. O'Day 1973 Gold Medal Fleet Catalog. Part 2 of 2. | GGA Image ID # 23f5f43d48

Source: O'Day 1973 Gold Medal Fleet Catalog

GG Archives REF: BPODY-010-1972-C-CAT-05