Looking to Buy an O'Day 25

stx203 · Jan 16, 2011

OD25 inspection

Cabby said:
I am driving about 200 miles to go check out what appears to be a pretty clean 1977 O'Day 25. It comes with a really nice inventory of sails, nice trailer, older 7.5 hp honda, etc. This is a fixed keel 25. Are there specific areas that I should pay special attention to. I have read some possible issues with dry rot at the chain plates and dry rot at the transom. Are these problem area's? Please I welcome any other tips in checking out the boat. This will be my first sailboat. The price is higher than what we wanted to pay for a boat, but it looks clean and turn key. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

You are on the right track....definitely check both sides of the port and starboard bulkheads where the chainplates are attached. There were two original versions...teak plywood where you can see the potential water staining on the bulkhead and a second version that was orange vinyl over plain marine plywood (my model)....if it is this model don't buy it until you have checked the bulkheads thoroughly....also check for soft deck spots at chainplate tangs (at desk line) and at each stanchion and deck mounted fitting....also carefully check the deck area at the mast step....these boats are susceptible to water intrusion from poorly sealed openings....once water gets into balsa core it is almost impossible to dry out without lifting the deck skin and replacing core....that being said she's a great boat...it's unusual to find a fin keel version with a trailer since she sits so high... feel free to ask any more specific questions

Dakartimm · Jan 16, 2011

Welcome. I've enjoyed my 1981 25 Oday for the better part of 7 years .The transom has a reputation for being thin. As long as no water got through the grudgeons it should be fine. Some owners have found the additional weight and thrust of the newer 4 cycle outboards made the transom flex. My transom cracked during a launch and I took the oppurtunity to repair it . From inside I cut out the whole inner skin and wood. I then glassed in 3/4" solid cherry and reglassed. Not all that bad. The solid cherry was what I had on hand. The chainplates can leak and create grief . This is not unique to the Odays.There are many tings I really like about the Odays over the Catalinas and Hunters. The mainsheet and the traveler is directly in front of the helmsman. This is a big plus. Especially as I single hand often. Stepping the mast is easily doable my myself ,even on the water. Although the boat on a trailer is a bit of a pig on the road ,the extra weight gives the boat a much smoother ride in bigger water.
Mine is a bit of a slug until the wind picks up to at least ten knots or more .
Any more questions ?

Dakartimm · Jan 17, 2011

Wow very nice boat. I commend you on your choice of tow vehicles.I sincerely hope your boat brings you as much happinessas mine does

emergpa1 · Jan 18, 2011

Cabby said:
I saw the boat today and put a deposit down. I will go back next week to make the final decision with my brother who is buying in for half. I checked out the transom and it looks solid. I will recheck the chain plate bulkhead. It was painted, in fact all the old veneer plywood was pained inside the cabin. I actually like that brighter look. I will also check the decking step area as I look at it again. The compliment of sails makes this purchase attractive. Here are some photos of what comes with the boat. I will be towing it with a F-250 Power Stroke (1997). This trailer looks like it is up to the task for trailering, but will be a challenge launching.

I think u will love the boat. Not too big but not too small. I painted my bulkheads when I rebuilt and have been very pleased with the way it brightened up over the old panelized plywood look.
U can see my oday on my photo album. I can't weight for spring!
Keith

OdayDave · Jan 18, 2011

Very sharp looking boat. I just bought an O'Day 25 with an inboard. While mine is the centerboard version, I really like the interior layout, and for me the standing headroom. It will be a little more challenging launching as compared to the 222 that I have sailed the last 10 years, I found a good mast-raising system that was recently posted on this site for the 25 which should make it easier. If you are going to keep it in the water all the time, then having a yard do the launching wouldn't be a bad idea. If you are launching on your own, find a long launch ramp. Hopefully you have an extension for launching.

Good luck with this.

Dave
(O'Day's 222 and 25)

RichBone · Jan 18, 2011

An extension- http://www.xtend-a-hitchnorthwest.com/

Rich

Indysailor · Jan 19, 2011

I've helped a couple people launch, using chains to extend the trailer deep enough into the water. No mishaps, but I'm always worried the jack/wheel will collapse under the stress of rolling over the grooved pavement at our ramp.

Joe11688 · Jan 19, 2011

Cabby said:
Thanks all for the comments and suggestions. I plan on launching the boat via the local ramp. the seller has a cable that he uses for launching. I checked with the local harbor and the end of the ramp at a neutral tide is 10-11 ft, so that (cable) should work ok. I do like the suggestion rbone....and may eventually go with that unit.

We pick up the boat this Friday after a final looksie and payment. I will look for the gin pole set up to step the mast. I hope to share more and ask away in the following months on this site. I look forward to making upgrades to the boat to make it "mine".

Thanks again
Pat

Pat,
A friend of mine has a 10' extension tongue on his trailer that he built himself for his Seaward 22 k/c sloop. You would be wise to use the cable for now and make note of the trailer's distance from the tow vehicle when the boat is able to float free. Then you can decide whether the tongue extension will work for you. It really depends on the depth of the water at that particular ramp. I think the cable is doable if the trailer has a couple of long guides at the end of it for centering the boat. I guess you'll cross that bridge when you get to it, though.

RECESS · Jan 19, 2011

The only way you will know conclusively about the transom marine plywood is to drill out a hole on the inside base. Mine was solid for the top 80% but the lower 20% had rot. I really wish the whole thing had rot as it was a bear to get all the solid wood out in a confined area. Had to lay on my back and work with my hands over my head looking back upside down. It took a month of Sundays to peel out that wood a sliver at a time. It was worth it though and it is a damn nice boat. My 4 stroke 10 horse was flexing it too much and it finally cracked it. When I did the repair I took an old stop sign and cut it in half. putting it over the wood I glassed in. It is a tank back there now.

OdayDave · Jan 19, 2011

For a mast raising system, check out Rich's (RBone) system that he posted a couple of months ago. It looks pretty easy to construct and it is tailored to the O'Day 25.

http://forums.oday.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=112368

That's the route I'm going with the 25 I just bought. I was always able to muscle up the mast on my 222, but wouldn't even consider it for the 25. In fact, I'll adapt it to my 222 as well.

Dave
O'Days 222 and 25

James DAddio · Jan 24, 2011

Cabby said:
I am driving about 200 miles to go check out what appears to be a pretty clean 1977 O'Day 25. It comes with a really nice inventory of sails, nice trailer, older 7.5 hp honda, etc. This is a fixed keel 25. Are there specific areas that I should pay special attention to. I have read some possible issues with dry rot at the chain plates and dry rot at the transom. Are these problem area's? Please I welcome any other tips in checking out the boat. This will be my first sailboat. The price is higher than what we wanted to pay for a boat, but it looks clean and turn key. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Have you considered going to a 28 I have a beautiful boat for sale..almost a give away..

Looking to Buy an O'Day 25

.

.

.

.

Attachments

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.