O'Day Outlaw - Commander cousin

[Frenna]

Came across these pics after seeing an Outlaw on Seattle Craigslist. The Outlaw was designed by Phil Rhodes, and is perhaps the closest cousin I know of to the Commander. I think it was the boat recently posted under a bridge for a little "Recessioneering" mast raising.

Amazingly similar to the Commander in all regards. A few noteworthy differences:
-Wood shear trim is really nice - might have to emulate on Commander someday.
-Looks like deck beam supports mast instead of post. Neutral on that one.
-Wider tapered hatchway is nice - without being TOO wide, like a Catalina 25.
-Shorter keel likely makes boat a bit easier to handle in a marina, might or might not be better to windward. I like the LOOK of A/C underwater lines a lot, but the Outlaw is a good compromise as far as being able to survive a grounding. The Alerion Express boats are going to far in my opinion for a real "cruiser"

I also think the cabin top on the Outlaw is a bit more refined than the Commanders's, though I think the the right eyebrow trim could help the Commander a lot.

I will post some of the highlight pics in case the link goes down in the future:

http://www.sailthetempest.com/Outlaw%20photos.htm

[ebb]

Great to see this Commander look-a-like. Went to a Rhodes site to see what else we could find out.
Rhodes Outlaw: 80 were built between 1965 and '68.
LOA 26', LWL 19', Beam 8' (listed elsewhere as 7'8"), D 4.25', Disp 5050#, Ballast 2300.
Keel-hung rudder.
23' Tempests with a 3000# Disp had a fin keel & skeg rudder!

In 1960 an Ariel look-a-like appeared on the scene imported from Holland - then later made by Seafarer on Long Island.
Rhodes Meridian 25'
Disp 5400#, cutaway long keel with the ear-shaped rudder.
7' beam. Very pretty boat with a sheer that kept fairly straight from the bow and ended in a nice flip at the stern. BUT the narrow beam in a cruiser this small really restricts the interior. There does not seem to be complete info about the Meridian. Unknown how many were built and no group dedicated to care and preservation that might reveal how this sailboat was built at the very beginning of the fiberglass revolution. Be an interesting comparison: the Dutch yard compared with Pearson.


Can we safely assume that Carl Alberg never designed a sailboat with a fin keel and skeg rudder?

[Tony G]

I do believe that is the boat in the 'ingenuity award' thread.

[Rico]

Tony - I believe you are right. Caught my eye too...
Very nice boat, although a bit too 'square' relative to the Commander. (hatches, cabintop)