ODay 25

[Erniee]

Just picked up an 80 model with the sail drive. This boat was idle for close to a year. Owner filled her up with gas, new battery, and she fired right up. Motored her to dock, time restraints- couldn't hoist a sail- but she performed well in 3 foot waves. The OMC sail drive has plenty of thrust, and idles well. I plan on a retrofit as she looks great. I have started to gut her as it was infested with mud daubers. I'll post photos- if I can figure out how to do that here. Ernie- Weatherford, Tx

 

[Fly_H23]

Congrats on your new O'day! Be sure you change the old motor oil right away. If its been sitting over a year it's time for new oil.

Our O'day 26 had sat for several years and took a full 3 days of scrubbing to clean her up.

 

[Erniee]

What product do you recommend for the fiberglass sides? I believe this cruiser will clean up well, but could use some guidance. Thanks, Ernie

 

[Sunbird22358]

Be sure you change the old motor oil right away. If its been sitting over a year it's time for new oil.

Thwe only oil that could be changed would be the lower-unit fluid, the OMC ZEPHYR sail-drive was 2-stroke.

 

[RichBone]

What product do you recommend for the fiberglass sides? I believe this cruiser will clean up well, but could use some guidance. Thanks, Ernie

If you want to do it right-
http://forums.oday.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=117266

 

[Erniee]

Fantastic- thanks for that link. I really appreciate it.

 

[Joe11688]

Erniee,
Don't use anything with Oxalic Acid on your deck. That stuff will eat out the caulking under your gunwale moldings, toe rails and deck hardware which will cause your boat to leak like a sieve.
Been there, done that. Believe me.

Joe

 

[GeorgiaBII]

10% Clorox always works great for me to clean mildew and mold.

 

[webcomarine]

Erniee,
Where are you sailing? The lakes over here are dry. I moved to Eagle Mountain but it is down also (12 ft). I guess I will have to move to the Ocean.

 

[Brian S]

Re: chlorine bleach

Practical Sailer just did an article on fiberglass cleaners. They said that "bleach can dry out fiberglass and destroy stitching holding vinyl upholstery together... Dishwashing detergent strips wax."

They felt Nautical Ease and K2r Super Spray were a very good spray cleaners for tough spots, but very strong, and they would strip wax. Which isn't a problem for cleaning a new-to-you boat before you've polished and waxed it. They said the K2r was less expensive.

They like Mother's Marine Wash'n Wax and Star Brite Citrus Boat Wash & Wax as the best all around cleaners that still maintained some degree of water beading from a previous wax job. The Mother's was the less expensive of the two, possible because they started out in the automotive market.

They did a different write up of waterline stain removers in 11/2007. I have not yet looked up that article on the website, but I'll have to before my spring cleaning...

Hope this helps,
Brian

10% Clorox always works great for me to clean mildew and mold.