Trouble with accessories on 272 O'Day

Status
Not open for further replies.

Steps

.
Sep 21, 2012
14
Oday 272 So Benson Marina, Fairfield CT
Just bought 1986 O'Day 272, the boat is in immaculate shape, but the previous owner did not believe in accessories: electronics, head, faucets. After putting water into the holding tank, still not able to get the faucets and head to work. Is there a main valve control? Any suggestions? Also looking for suggestions on Depth-sounder and Speedometer, both turn on, but display does not change.. tried re-setting, but no luck...
 
Jan 27, 2008
3,086
ODay 35 Beaufort, NC
Speedometer only works if the boat is moving, but it also requires a little impeller to rotate freely and they get clogged up with seaweed and barnacles. Not worth the trouble in my opinion. You can get speed off your handheld GPS so the knotmeter has been rendered obsolete again in my opinion. it is good if you are racing for instantaneous feedback on sail adjustments.
check the connections on the depth, may have some corrosion, otherwise I can't offer suggestions. Heads are not normally connected to fresh water supply for risk of contamination. Sea water tends to stink, so I use fresh water out of a gallon jug to flush the head, but you should look for a seacock to open to get seawater to the head.
Your water is either a manual pump or an electric pump. If electric you need to make sure the power is on to the pump at the panel, so when you turn on the water it will pump.
 
Nov 18, 2010
2,441
Catalina 310 Hingham, MA
For the depth and speedo if is just the displays that are bad, you can replace them with modern displays. Mainesail has a great how to for that on his website, search for Compass Marine.
 

Steps

.
Sep 21, 2012
14
Oday 272 So Benson Marina, Fairfield CT
Speedometer only works if the boat is moving, but it also requires a little impeller to rotate freely and they get clogged up with seaweed and barnacles. Not worth the trouble in my opinion. You can get speed off your handheld GPS so the knotmeter has been rendered obsolete again in my opinion. it is good if you are racing for instantaneous feedback on sail adjustments.
check the connections on the depth, may have some corrosion, otherwise I can't offer suggestions. Heads are not normally connected to fresh water supply for risk of contamination. Sea water tends to stink, so I use fresh water out of a gallon jug to flush the head, but you should look for a seacock to open to get seawater to the head.
Your water is either a manual pump or an electric pump. If electric you need to make sure the power is on to the pump at the panel, so when you turn on the water it will pump.

Thanks for the advice on the speedometer, although it is nice when things work (they both turn on, just the display does not change, speed is always "0.0" and depth is always "18.8"). Once we pull the boat for winter storage, we will clean both and see if that makes a difference. Are there replacements that simply fit into the existing spots without any adjustments? In other words, are there some semblance of 'standard sizes' for these instruments?

As for the faucets and head, we got both sink pumps to work, a lot of grime and dirt, but the water is coming out. The head is not there yet. Will try looking for sea water valve. we have an odd problem with the Temp gauge, where sometimes it bounces all the way to the right indicating overheating, but the exhaust water is warm and not more than 100 - 120F degrees. Is that a good way of confirming engine temp, if the gauge does not work properly? Also looking at the oil pressure, it is right in the middle. So we did not panic. Another trip out Temp gauge worked just fine (stayed in the middle). Should I worry?

Lastly, for those familiar with O'Day 272, we are keeping a spare diesel tank in the same compartment as the batteries, is that a REALLY bad idea? Is there a better place, without stinking-up the cabin?

Thanks!
 

Steps

.
Sep 21, 2012
14
Oday 272 So Benson Marina, Fairfield CT
For the depth and speedo if is just the displays that are bad, you can replace them with modern displays. Mainesail has a great how to for that on his website, search for Compass Marine.
Thanks for the advice! Looking at Mainesail.com now. Any ideas on how to install a fuel gauge on 272 O'Day? Trying to figure out how to tell the level of fuel in the tank without creating a major project. Any suggestions?

Thanks!
 

Pat

.
Jun 7, 2004
1,250
Oday 272LE Ninnescah Yacht Club, Wichita, Ks.
Thanks for the advice! Looking at Mainesail.com now. Any ideas on how to install a fuel gauge on 272 O'Day? Trying to figure out how to tell the level of fuel in the tank without creating a major project. Any suggestions?

Thanks!
the manual for the 272 suggests that you buy a 1/4 inch rod, three or so ft.
long....it will go down thru the little black cover back by the helm...that cap is the fuel....if you don't have the manual, we'll get you one.. the manual gives you the dimensions to mark on the rod that will tell you when you are 1/2, 1/4, 3/4 full, etc. ..also, the thru hull for the head is at the forward end of the starboard lazarette in the main cabin.....open the thru hull to allow water to enter the head...my oil guage almost never moves off of medium....the temp guage stays too low, but I have not installed another thermostat yet. I have bought one. the o'day 272 has a twin system for both anti-freeze and fresh water.....I'm doubting you will need to carry an
additional fuel / diesel tank...a little goes a long way...but we are on a 10,000 acre lake west of Wichita....so depending how far you are going to sail offshore, you might want one....I just doubt you need it....

All of our instruments were signet and they are still in business so this past winter I sent them my depth and knotmeters and they fixed us up with new
of both...Good luck....call D & R Marine in Assonet, Mass for a manual...
Patrick
 

Pat

.
Jun 7, 2004
1,250
Oday 272LE Ninnescah Yacht Club, Wichita, Ks.
Just bought 1986 O'Day 272, the boat is in immaculate shape, but the previous owner did not believe in accessories: electronics, head, faucets. After putting water into the holding tank, still not able to get the faucets and head to work. Is there a main valve control? Any suggestions? Also looking for suggestions on Depth-sounder and Speedometer, both turn on, but display does not change.. tried re-setting, but no luck...
by the way...my wife grew up in Darien, not too far from you....quite beautiful country....we are headed there in November..You are a lucky guy!
Patrick
 

Pat

.
Jun 7, 2004
1,250
Oday 272LE Ninnescah Yacht Club, Wichita, Ks.
Thanks for the advice! Looking at Mainesail.com now. Any ideas on how to install a fuel gauge on 272 O'Day? Trying to figure out how to tell the level of fuel in the tank without creating a major project. Any suggestions?

Thanks!
By the way...the 18.8 or whatever is a fault error notification on signet
depthfinders; or is what appears on mine, when it is first turned on once in
a while.....normally will suddenly begin working correctly. Pat
 
Status
Not open for further replies.