A Sad End to a Very Nice 1985 O'day 28

[Clutch Cargo]

Since purchasing my O'day 28, I've been watching videos posted on YouTube by a couple from Tampa FL who owned an O'day 28 of similar vintage. In many ways, it was in better shape than mine and it was nice to see what modifications/upgrades they had done. The owners, Jason & Susy are very nice people and answered my emails promptly regarding any questions I had. They also made a passage to Key West and back. The boat held up even through a knockdown - a testament to the quality of the design and the dedication of the builders in Fall River Massachusetts.

They sold the boat about a year ago and its new home port was Sarasota. Unfortunately, it was moored improperly and was aground at low tide. It was also damaged during Hurricane Milton. The final blow (no pun intended) came during Hurricane Helene and the vessel was totally destroyed. They posted a video and gave me permission to post some images on this forum. A real shame.

 

[Tally Ho]

Sad indeed

 

[Davidasailor26]

I follow their channel too since my parents had an O’Day 28 when I was growing up. I was also sad to see that end to the boat’s story. I think another previous owner of the same boat used to be around here too, though not for a while now - @envisionvenicefl

 

[eherlihy]

"Unfortunately, it [the boat] was moored improperly and was aground at low tide. It was also damaged during Hurricane Milton."

This is entirely on the owner of the boat. If you can't take care of the boat, and all of its systems (including the ground tackle) then you shouldn't have the boat.

I hope that they owners had insurance, or paid, to clean up their mess. I have seen far too many derelict boats, here in Ft Myers, Florida, that should not be polluting and clogging up the public waterways.

My condolences to the previous owners who are no doubt saddened by the loss.

 

[Will Gilmore]

"Unfortunately, it [the boat] was moored improperly and was aground at low tide. It was also damaged during Hurricane Milton."

There have been a lot of "properly" moored boats that didn't survive a hurricane. The only absolutely secure way to tie up a boat in preparation for a hurricane is to tie it up somewhere where the hurricane isn't.

The grounding may indeed be on the owners, but a loss during a hurricane is a possibility no matter what. It is always sad, and I am glad no one was hurt by that boat.

-Will

 

[JBP-PA]

There have been a lot of "properly" moored boats didn't survive a hurricane. The only absolutely secure way to tie up a boat in preparation for a hurricane is to tie it up somewhere where the hurricane isn't.

The grounding may indeed be on the owners, but a loss during a hurricane is a possibility no matter what. It is always sad, and I am glad no one was hurt by that boat.

-Will

Indeed. Sometimes it is isn't practical to safely get the boat out of the path of the hurricane, sometimes the best you can do is get the people out of the path of the hurricane. Boats can be replaced.