Rhodes Cutter

The 1938 cutter NIKE is a classic American wooden sailing yacht designed by the renowned naval architect Philip L. Rhodes. Built just before World War II, NIKE represents the elegant transition period between traditional gaff-rigged yachts and the more modern Marconi-rigged offshore cruisers that dominated the mid-20th century.

NIKE has been owned by an award-winning sailor in San Francisco Bay since his purchase of the boat in 1967. The boat has been maintained and updated several times during his ownership. Most recently, it has had the mast rebuilt and the standing rigging replaced by Richardson Bay Boatworks in Sausalito in 2025.

Design Background

Philip Rhodes was one of the most influential yacht designers of the 20th century, responsible for hundreds of successful cruising and racing yachts. His work ranged from small daysailers to large ocean-going yachts and even naval vessels. NIKE was conceived as a serious offshore cruising cutter—a yacht capable of long passages while maintaining the graceful lines typical of the pre-war yachting era.

Key design philosophy behind NIKE: strong, seaworthy hull suitable for offshore passages; balanced cutter rig for versatility in heavy weather; elegant overhangs and traditional sheer line; moderate displacement for comfort at sea. Rhodes cutters of this era were often described as "seakindly", meaning they move comfortably through waves rather than pounding.

Construction

NIKE was built by Morse Boat Works in Thomaston, Maine, using traditional yacht-building techniques of the 1930s: carvel planking (flush planks over frames), mahogany planking, oak frames, lead ballast keel, and bronze fastenings and fittings. These yachts were built to extremely high craftsmanship standards by East Coast boatyards.

Rig and Sailing Characteristics

NIKE is a cutter-rigged yacht, carrying mainsail, yankee or genoa, inner staysail, and often a storm staysail for heavy weather. Advantages of the cutter rig include heavy weather versatility with smaller sails easier to manage in strong wind, balanced sail plan with multiple headsails distributing power efficiently, and ocean passagemaking capability allowing many sail combinations for changing conditions. This configuration is especially well suited to windy regions like San Francisco Bay.

Rhodes cutters are known for exceptional balance—they tend to steer easily and track well, even in large seas. They possess strong upwind ability with the deep keel and cutter rig allowing efficient sailing into the wind. The long keel and displacement provide stability in rough water, and they move smoothly through waves rather than slamming. Owners often describe them as confidence-inspiring offshore yachts.

Historical Significance

NIKE represents a notable era in American yacht design: designed during the golden age of wooden yacht design, it reflects the work of one of America's greatest naval architects and combines traditional aesthetics with modern (for the time) performance. Rhodes also designed other famous boats including Stormy Weather (Bermuda Race winner) and Carina. These boats helped define American offshore sailing in the mid-20th century.

A surviving Rhodes cutter like NIKE is valued because it offers timeless pre-war yacht design, true offshore capability, extraordinary craftsmanship, and collector-level classic yacht status.

Restoration History

According to articles in the San Francisco Chronicle and Latitude 38, the owner undertook extensive restoration work on NIKE, including major frame replacement. The project involved approximately 90 percent new frames, indicating a nearly complete structural restoration of the wooden hull—the boat was essentially rebuilt around the original hull shape. The boat won Best of Show at the Master Mariners Wooden Boat Show in 2001 following the rebuild, and later won the People's Choice Award. The magazine noted that the mirror finish on NIKE's brightwork was widely admired by professional varnishers.

This boat is offered for sale along with its 60-foot slip in the San Francisco Marina, subject to the rules and regulations of the SF Parks and Recreation Department. The slip is on the Head Dock in front of the St. Francis Yacht Club.