I have an 1980 oday 30 and this is my problem I have a 40 year old Oday I bought just a few years ago and last season when I put it on the hard I looked at the very bottom of the inside of my hull and found this. I am sure the previous owner did not completely drain the hull and it froze and thawed creating this hole in the bottom. I cleaned up best I can for now and the water keep seeping into the hole from between the layers I think. My plan was to dry it and use epoxy resin to fill it and strengthen the hull. I am not sure how to dry it and if this is the right approach . I sure could use some good good advise because once its in the water again it will never dry out. What is the answer?? and is this an encaplelated keel or bolted does anyone have any information on this. And is this a structural problem or more of a cosmetic one thank you for any info
1980 O day 30 hull problems
- Thread starter dschierl
- Start date
This is not simply a cosmetic issue. The plywood is structural and is likely saturated. When plywood gets wet, the water wicks up through the plies and eventually rots. A few test holes could be drilled, the tailings will indicate how far the water has migrated.
Since there are no keel bolts it is likely and encapsulated hull.
The repair will be extensive and expensive if a yard does this, much more than the value of the boat. If you are unsure, you could hire a surveyor to take a look and give some on site guidance on the repair.
Since there are no keel bolts it is likely and encapsulated hull.
The repair will be extensive and expensive if a yard does this, much more than the value of the boat. If you are unsure, you could hire a surveyor to take a look and give some on site guidance on the repair.
Thank you. The only problem I see to fix it is the mast is going to sit right over some of the places I need to get to.
I didn’t think Oday used cored hulls other than the deck. Is it really plywood down there in the bilge area?
It looks like it was used to form base for the mast support and seal the keel.
I was mistaken earlier when I mentioned the compression post, that looks like the table support.
I was mistaken earlier when I mentioned the compression post, that looks like the table support.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 23,364
Welcome to the forum @dschierl. Old boats have their issues. When they start to have hull water issues sometimes they are beyond recovery. That is when they become a labor of love by a devote or a used parts source when value of the parts is more than the value of the boat.
The decision then becomes personal choice.
If saving the boat, then drying out the boat, Sucking water, Dehumidifier, are all in the right direction. Being sure the deck is not leaking water, contributing to your water, is also needed.
The decision then becomes personal choice.
If saving the boat, then drying out the boat, Sucking water, Dehumidifier, are all in the right direction. Being sure the deck is not leaking water, contributing to your water, is also needed.
Looks like yours is the centerboard trunk area -- see if this link doesn't provide some ideas: Oday Owner Reviews
I have a `79FK, with its own keel issues (undisclosed grounding by some previous owner), but not like yours (no wood in my bilge that I can tell...)
There was a period when ODay used plywood for the bilge sump and keel support. One boat in Texas had their keel fall off, but no one was injured; I believe the boat was recovered.
Thin layup combined with rotting wood inside. All very fixable, but it takes time, glass, and some money.
A good survey should tell you what to do and to expect.
You’re probably remembering the examples discussed in this thread, or one like it - O'Day 302 Loses Keel - Check Yours!!
Those problems were all associated with thin layup in the late 80’s 302/322 series of O’Days, much different from the OP’s 1980 model. Also those problems were entirely attributed to insufficient layup thickness, but it was photographed as all glass. Maine Sail made some references to Catalina using plywood in the sump that could rot, but not O’Day.