About to get my First Boat, ODAY 28

[AirBoyzT]

So a little background before my question. I am a 26 year disabled wounded iraq veteran who suffers from PTSD and TBI. I have always wanted to sail and my doctors think it'll be good for me to do this, so I have been in the market for a boat, and have several volunteers that are going to teach me how to sail.

I recently found someone selling a 1980 O'Day 28 for only $3500 (long story short, they are moving and no access to a slip and their kids don't want to sail anymore.

The only things that appear to be wrong according to the owner (havent went to look at it, waiting for hurricane, but have had pictures), is it is missing 3 feet of rub rail on one side and 1 foot on the other (seems to be easy) and the other problem I will copy and paste what he sent me.

The second item that needs to be taken care of is the mounting plate for the Edson pedestal steering. Beneath the deck is a plate that attaches to the pedestal and has two adjustable pulleys that guide the cables to the tiller. The plate was original and had corroded, but was not discovered buys or the person doing the survey. When Hurricane Irene came thru neighbors secured the boat I the bay. However, the did not release the tiller from the steering. It caused further damage. The cables can be put back on, but the steering is soft. I was going the have a new plate made or order a new one from Edson.

He then sent me the name of the part from Edson (Adjustable Idler), but says that is for the whole setup, it only needs the plate (I may end up having to get the whole setup)

The other problem I am thinking is that it has a 9.9 outboard included so i am guessing the inboard failed at one time, not sure if inboard is still intact, but I don't mind the outboard.

After searching for the part, this is what I found. Anyone know which one I should get and how hard is it to install or how much would it be to have installed. I'm still thinking this is a good purchase.

http://www.edsonmarine.com/marinestore/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=243

Thanks!
-Aaron

 

[Joe11688]

Hi Aaron,
Before we get into sailboats I just want to say thank you for your service to this great country of ours. I've found that sailing with my dog and picking my guitar has always kept me well. I tow a small 9' kayak behind my boat and we use it to get to shore for beach combing.

I like the O'Day 28. There's one moored on the river not far from our YC and it has nice lines to it. I've sailed the O'Day 272 and one of our members once owned an O'Day 27 for a short while. If I wanted something larger, the 28 would be my choice.
I know nothing about wheel steering but there's a guy in my area who has a lot of O'Day parts. He even owns most of the molds to the O'Day boats. I would touch base with him first. His name is Rudy Nickerson and his store located in Assonet Ma. Give him a call. http://www.drmarine.com/

As for the inboard engine, I'm not exactly sure of what they put in these boats. I'm thinking it's an inboard diesel which are great engines but if it's a two stroke gasoline sail drive with an inboard fuel tank, I'd rather have the outboard myself. There's something about a gasoline inboard engine and gas tank in a sailboat that turns me off. I could live with an inboard diesel but but not gasoline down below.

I'm pretty sure that Rudy can set you up with the rub rail. Like I mentioned, he has everything O'Day.
Good Luck!
Joe

 

[captcoho]

Hi Aaron,
A couple of things you don't mention. What about the sails? Sail inventory?
Your sails are ultimently the "engine" of your vessel. Sails may be a greater expense than an outboard engine.
Years ago,I had a Catalina 25 with a 9.9 hp outboard, it was fine for getting away from/to the dock, if the wind direction made it tough to sail to/from. It would get the boat easily to "hull speed" in calm water, but in heavier air if the wind kicked up, it could be daunting to get to safe harbor. With the prop coming out of the water, even with the extra long Sailmaster shaft on the outboard.
Another thing is the rigging, both standing and running. The condiction of blocks,lines and halyards. Stays, turnbuckles.....small things that add up in hurry.
One last thing, you mention is the steering pedestal. You may want to consider a tiller. There's alot to be said for the "feel" of sailing in the "groove". I often wish I still had a tiller.It could be very comtempletive holding the tiller handle.
All said and done, you may want to think about spending a few extra dollars on a boat someone else made the initial expenses on. Remember BOAT= Bring Out Another Thousand!
Looking at boats for sale can be fun and exicting. Take your time, but be ready when you find the right boat.
Good Luck,
>cc

So a little background before my question. I am a 26 year disabled wounded iraq veteran who suffers from PTSD and TBI. I have always wanted to sail and my doctors think it'll be good for me to do this, so I have been in the market for a boat, and have several volunteers that are going to teach me how to sail.

I recently found someone selling a 1980 O'Day 28 for only $3500 (long story short, they are moving and no access to a slip and their kids don't want to sail anymore.

The only things that appear to be wrong according to the owner (havent went to look at it, waiting for hurricane, but have had pictures), is it is missing 3 feet of rub rail on one side and 1 foot on the other (seems to be easy) and the other problem I will copy and paste what he sent me.

The second item that needs to be taken care of is the mounting plate for the Edson pedestal steering. Beneath the deck is a plate that attaches to the pedestal and has two adjustable pulleys that guide the cables to the tiller. The plate was original and had corroded, but was not discovered buys or the person doing the survey. When Hurricane Irene came thru neighbors secured the boat I the bay. However, the did not release the tiller from the steering. It caused further damage. The cables can be put back on, but the steering is soft. I was going the have a new plate made or order a new one from Edson.

He then sent me the name of the part from Edson (Adjustable Idler), but says that is for the whole setup, it only needs the plate (I may end up having to get the whole setup)

The other problem I am thinking is that it has a 9.9 outboard included so i am guessing the inboard failed at one time, not sure if inboard is still intact, but I don't mind the outboard.

After searching for the part, this is what I found. Anyone know which one I should get and how hard is it to install or how much would it be to have installed. I'm still thinking this is a good purchase.

http://www.edsonmarine.com/marinestore/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=243

Thanks!
-Aaron

 

[cb32863]

I have sailed the 28 many times and they are great boats as far as I am concerned. I would think it has a diesel in it, the one I sailed did. As for Rudy, oh yeah, he is the guy yo talk to on anything O' Day. be sure to check all hull penetrations for leaks and bulkhead rot.

As for a 9.9 OB on a 28.... I am thinking that is a bit small as I have one on my 25 and it struggles in to decent winds and chop to move the boat. Might want to check in to getting the inboard going if it isn't cost prohibitive.

I don't think you have a bad time sailing her for sure. As others have said though, check the sails and all of the systems thoroughly. I know form experience on that front.

Good luck!

 

[j_schoenfeld]

I love my Oday 28. Solid boat and it was great to learn on. Nice for overnight stays out on the lake. when I bought mine the universal 5411 Diesel was locked up. I wanted the diesel as it's easy on fuel, one tank gets me through a season. I found a guy who rebuilds them with transmission for $2700 complete, so I just pulled the old motor on crane day, waited out the winter and transferred everything over to the new one and dropped it in in the spring. Was pretty easy to do, the alignment on the shaft took most of the time to make sure I had it right. Even with the diesel in heavy weather (yes we do get big blows here in utah) I have almost been overrun. Had her full out into the waves, knot meter showing 6 knots and losing ground. But it always holds together and I have never been in any REAL trouble. You will probably have a broken exhaust pipe, and the conduits in the mast have probably broken loose. The exhaust is easy, the mast isn't bad. If you can sleep with the wires banging inside the mast it's not a project you HAVE to do, but I did mine just so she was quiet at night. She camps great, sails better. She will try to move into the wind as you sail, and is touchy at the wheel. The pedestal steering is not to bad to deal with, and there are lots of resources to tell you what you need to do. Just be careful, the cables have to cross inside the pedestal. If you don't do that the steering is backwards, and I had a hell of a time getting back into the slip!
She's a great boat, you will not be disapointed. And Rudy does know EVERYTHING about them, and DR marine is the place to go.
Fair Winds!

 

[shozbot]

Aaron,

Just purchased a 28' in August and thinks she's a great boat. I have to tell you though that I think I got a great buy at $7500 since her main is only 4 yrs old, has a repowered 18hp yanmar diesel, and the edson helm like your boat. She also came with autopilot which is a great feature if you out sailing alone. So, I would say that if your boat is $3500 there is probably a reason for that and perhaps you should spend a little more since you really don't want to be doing a lot of repair work. As it is, my boat is certainly not perfect. It has leaks, the jub needs repair, and some other things as well.

Also, you really don't want an outboard on that size boat. It'll be under powered and in heavy seas will be bobbing in and out of the water. Originally power on my boat was an 11hp universal diesel and with my newer 18hp I still sometimes can only do 3knts if the current in long island sound is against me and I'm heading into the wind.

Steve

 

[TENACITY CS36T]

Aaron, all the best! I just bought my first boat a little over a year ago. An Oday 28 (1979) its been great and the admiral & I are really enjoying her. Mine has a tiller, but I'm fine with that, as a newbie guess ignorance is bliss so to speak. I love the fact that I can just swing it up out of the way when docked at out club giving more space in the cockpit and having an auto tiller is perfect for longer runs etc....