O'Day 25' with inboard

[Inmotion]

I came across a 1976 25' O'Day with a 7 HP Westerbeke inboard engine, presumably a diesel.

Having perused many descriptions of the 25' O'Day model I never encountered any literature describing this model with an inboard engine and wondered if it was an option something someone added as an afterthought.

There did not appear to be a convenient way to gain access to the engine; the only way I observed was to remove a wood panel from the port side toward the stern about halfway down from the rear berth, and that exposed only a small portion of the engine. I suppose one could construct a similar panel on the starboard side directly across from the existing one, but it would still be a chore to service the engine. I did not see any way to service the engine from the top.

The propellor was a two-blade non-folding type.

Can anyone tell me if the inboard engine was a factory option or was it the result of someone stretching his or her imagination.

 

[Shoaldrafter]

Inmotion - reply

Inmotion:

Yes, the 25 was offered with an inboard motor option. There are a few around. Maybe even someone on this forum. Just wait for other answers.

Ed K
26

 

[Carver13014]

I own a 25 with the Vire 7 2-stroke engine. Probably the same engine you have as i've seen Westerbeke referenced in the parts list for my motor. I am very happy with the boat having an inboard. For me, access to the engine is thru the same door you reference in the port berth as well as thru the starboard cockpit seat. It's a tight squeeze to get my 6'3" self in there but i can work relatively comfortably once i'm in the compartment. If you have any specific questions, let me know.

Greg

 

[Sunbird22358]

There were at least 3-4 different Inboards offered over the years as a Factory Option on the O'DAY 25.
Early models (1975-6) had an option of a VIRE gas inboard (6-7 HP) I think this was a 2-stroke engine and was used in many sailboats in the 22-28' range. I'm not sure if there was also a Diesel offered at that time, but O'DAY may have done a "custom" option of a Diesel. A previous owner may have replaced the VIRE with a Westerbeke Diesel (I think Westerbeke was also an importer of the VIRE?). This engine used a shaft and strut with a 2-blade prop.
Later O'DAY 25 models (1977-81) had an option of the OMC ZEPHYR, a 15hp 2-stroke saildrive inboard, the powerhead was actually a detuned Evinrude/Johnson 35hp outboard. A friend of mine had a 1979 with one of these and access was mostly through the Starboard cockpit locker.
For 1982-83 and perhaps even earlier, O'DAY offered a 7.5 HP YANMAR 1GM Diesel as an option. This inboard used a shaft and strut with a 2-blade (fixed) prop. This engine was also optional on the O'DAY 26.

The OMC ZEPHYR was actually also offered as an option on the O'DAY 23 for a few years (1977-79?) and on those boats I have heard that a hatch was added in the cockpit sole for engine access.

 

[Inmotion]

Vire 2-stroke engine

I own a 25 with the Vire 7 2-stroke engine. Probably the same engine you have as i've seen Westerbeke referenced in the parts list for my motor. I am very happy with the boat having an inboard. For me, access to the engine is thru the same door you reference in the port berth as well as thru the starboard cockpit seat. It's a tight squeeze to get my 6'3" self in there but i can work relatively comfortably once i'm in the compartment. If you have any specific questions, let me know.

Greg

I didn't investigate the starboard cockpit seat as an alternative entrance to the engine compartment but I will in the near future. The door along the port berth is very small but hopefully if the cockpit seat provides a larger access then I could enter more comfortably. If you are 6'3" then at 5'9" and relatively slim I'm sure I could also manage to slip inside.

Iniitially with the Westerbeke start/stop panel visible on the outside of the boat I guessed it was equipped with a diesel engine, although I was perplexed by the words "gas" on the fuel tank cap. However now that I know that Westerbek imported the Vire engine I suspect that it's the one powering this boat, not a diesel.

In closing, thanks for your help and I will certainly contact you if I have more questions.

 

[Inmotion]

There were at least 3-4 different Inboards offered over the years as a Factory Option on the O'DAY 25.
Early models (1975-6) had an option of a VIRE gas inboard (6-7 HP) I think this was a 2-stroke engine and was used in many sailboats in the 22-28' range. I'm not sure if there was also a Diesel offered at that time, but O'DAY may have done a "custom" option of a Diesel. A previous owner may have replaced the VIRE with a Westerbeke Diesel (I think Westerbeke was also an importer of the VIRE?). This engine used a shaft and strut with a 2-blade prop.
Later O'DAY 25 models (1977-81) had an option of the OMC ZEPHYR, a 15hp 2-stroke saildrive inboard, the powerhead was actually a detuned Evinrude/Johnson 35hp outboard. A friend of mine had a 1979 with one of these and access was mostly through the Starboard cockpit locker.
For 1982-83 and perhaps even earlier, O'DAY offered a 7.5 HP YANMAR 1GM Diesel as an option. This inboard used a shaft and strut with a 2-blade (fixed) prop. This engine was also optional on the O'DAY 26.

The OMC ZEPHYR was actually also offered as an option on the O'DAY 23 for a few years (1977-79?) and on those boats I have heard that a hatch was added in the cockpit sole for engine access.

Thanks for all the good information.

I'm guessing my engine is the 7 HP Vire unit which should work out okay, although if the boat meets my expectations InitiallIy I was confused because I saw the Westerbeke start/stop console (think diesel) but I also saw the word "gas" on the fuel tank cover. Later, when I heard that Westerbeke imported the Vire engine I realized that the engine was probably Vire's 2-stroke gas model. I might be in the mood to convert to a diesel in the future but it may not be necessary since most sailors use an engine sparingly.

I'm going to check starboard cockpit locker to see if there is access to the engine. I suspect there is because the cutout along the port berth is very small and probably not intended to be used as an entrance to the engine compartment.

Thanks for your response.

 

[Shoaldrafter]

Inmotion - consider making a small ...

Thanks for all the good information.

I'm guessing my engine is the 7 HP Vire unit which should work out okay, although if the boat meets my expectations InitiallIy I was confused because I saw the Westerbeke start/stop console (think diesel) but I also saw the word "gas" on the fuel tank cover. Later, when I heard that Westerbeke imported the Vire engine I realized that the engine was probably Vire's 2-stroke gas model. I might be in the mood to convert to a diesel in the future but it may not be necessary since most sailors use an engine sparingly.


Thanks for your response.

Inmotion:

In climibing in and out of the starboard hatch, a short stepping ladder to get at least one foot up helps. I measured inside and made one out of a 2x2 and attached in several places facing the bulkhead. Once you get one foot about halfway way up getting in and out is a whole lot easier and faster. It also allows a known step down again for ease and safety.

Ed K
26