Earliest 2+2 Model: #1299?
Nathan Bayreuther - 1/14/2025
Toward the end of 1968, the O'Day Corporation rolled out its first mid-style, "2+2" model Mariner at the Fall River, Massachusetts factory at 168 Stevens Street. While retaining the original hull shape (identical to a Rhodes 19 hull), the deck and cabin were totally reconfigured from the old-style Mariners of 1963-1968 with the aft deck removed, cabin enclosed, and cockpit sole raised to accommodate new quarterberths. (Hence the "2+2" designation: two could sleep in the V-berth with an additional two in the quarterberths.)
Some new information has recently come to light about one of the very first mid-style O'Day Mariners from member Chris Albert (#2714 Flotsam):
"Back in 2006, after going for a sail on my boat, my friend Steve liked it so much he bought one a week later! Dances with Waves (quickly renamed Dunces with Waves), hull #1299, was a rare mid-style keel (non-centerboard) Mariner. The keel boat was stiffer than mine and tracked better, as you would expect. I recall performance being about on-par with mine, except it was better in heavier winds and more sluggish in light winds (as you might expect). And slower on a downwind run, in any conditions, because the centerboard boats allow you to raise the board way up. I remember Steve’s hull number (#1299) because it used the same digits as yours (#1922). Dunces with Waves was displayed and sold road-side out of Mansfield, CT, not far from UConn, by Steve’s co-owner. Unknown where it went off to."
The earliest known mid-style model was previously thought to be #1306; this correction has been made in the "Mariner History" section of this website.