We have been chartering ever larger sailboats over the past few years. We are lookiing seriously at buying our first, a 1976 Oday 32, center cockpit. Can anyone tell us what to expect, good and bad?
1976 Oday 32, Opinions, Reveiws
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Baltimore wanabee:
I have two older sailboats. It is said that frp boats last forever. Do not believe all that is said. When you have any sailboat more than ten years old there is a lot of work keeping them up. The older, the more work. Every year and during the year.
I have stayed away from boats built prior to 1980. While they still float, it takes a lot of time and work keeping them shipshape. Keep in mind that boats flex. Where are the empherical studies showing the lifetime of glass fibers in boats? Where are the studies showing the life of the resins used to hold the glass together? Some promoters say 50 years. I see boats that newer than the one you are looking at being chain sawed into pieces and carted off to the landfills every year.
That being said, if you have time, skills necessary and the extra money, you might enjoy the boat that you are looking at. But before you buy, remember that boats that old are cheap for a reason. You need to be the person who enjoys projects.
If you never have owned a boat before and have not been responsible for a boat upkeep you might be happier starting with a smaller, newer boat. Yes, they might cost two or three times as much. But for a first boat, if you want to sail, a much newer boat should be considered. The costs will equalize out if you keep it just a couple of years.
Remember that you did not see a lot that went into keep a charter boat shipshape. Nor did you see costs involved.
Just my comments,
Ed K
26
I have two older sailboats. It is said that frp boats last forever. Do not believe all that is said. When you have any sailboat more than ten years old there is a lot of work keeping them up. The older, the more work. Every year and during the year.
I have stayed away from boats built prior to 1980. While they still float, it takes a lot of time and work keeping them shipshape. Keep in mind that boats flex. Where are the empherical studies showing the lifetime of glass fibers in boats? Where are the studies showing the life of the resins used to hold the glass together? Some promoters say 50 years. I see boats that newer than the one you are looking at being chain sawed into pieces and carted off to the landfills every year.
That being said, if you have time, skills necessary and the extra money, you might enjoy the boat that you are looking at. But before you buy, remember that boats that old are cheap for a reason. You need to be the person who enjoys projects.
If you never have owned a boat before and have not been responsible for a boat upkeep you might be happier starting with a smaller, newer boat. Yes, they might cost two or three times as much. But for a first boat, if you want to sail, a much newer boat should be considered. The costs will equalize out if you keep it just a couple of years.
Remember that you did not see a lot that went into keep a charter boat shipshape. Nor did you see costs involved.
Just my comments,
Ed K
26
From a 32 owner
I have a 78 model that was in good condition when I bought her in 2003 and one of the issues with mine and most boats that old is soggy decks from water intrusion,mine has some soft spots on the deck and I'm OK with that as long as it doesn't get any worse and I had a very soggy and rotted cockpit that I replaced the plywood under the fiberglass myself and have done some major projects to keep her in better than good condition.
As far as a cruising and sailing boat I give it a 9 but I have spent every year upgrading the boat with all the stuff to make it a better boat sooooo if you have the skills and the passion go for it
I have a 78 model that was in good condition when I bought her in 2003 and one of the issues with mine and most boats that old is soggy decks from water intrusion,mine has some soft spots on the deck and I'm OK with that as long as it doesn't get any worse and I had a very soggy and rotted cockpit that I replaced the plywood under the fiberglass myself and have done some major projects to keep her in better than good condition.
As far as a cruising and sailing boat I give it a 9 but I have spent every year upgrading the boat with all the stuff to make it a better boat sooooo if you have the skills and the passion go for it
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