bought a OD 28"

[Dragon Fly]

shake down cruise yesterday in the fog off castine me,.
she handled well, pointed well, and i enjoyed the day.
bought her right there and then.
all you 28" owners hows about giving a new 84 od 28 pilot your considered
advice and ideas about making this a wonderful relationship with the 28.
what modifications or improvident did you maker?

thanks in advance. Steve.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Steve,

Congratulations. Sounds wonderful. In your other post, you mentioned sailing in heavy fog. If it was my boat, I'd get radar, right away. Maine Sail posted a story about this just today. Pea soup stuff.

In all my years sailing, the question you asked is the most prevalent. I always recommend two things:

1. Develop a secure and reliable electrical system after you learn everything there is to know about your engine.

2. Stop! Do NOT do anything to the boat, regardless of what anyone and everyone else may have done that you can get your hands on. Make the boat YOURS first, get to know her and how you use her. The "fancy Dan" cockpit table that Bob in Minnesota may have made may not work for you if you anchor out in fog and eat below. Etc......... Wait three or six months over the winter to start figuring out what YOU need, not what someone else has done.

That will also give you time to find valuable sources, 'cuz not everyone here has O'Day 28s and I'm sure there are other internet sources that may be more specific to your particular boat, like maybe an owners association. Go look for one.

Doesn't preclude getting tips, and saving them for later, but get the boat systems, ALL of them, down pat before you start other things.

Good luck, sounds like you got "a keeper!"

PS - injest - it takes using the SHIFT key to get a " instead of a regular ' :neutral::neutral::neutral:

 

[Stu Jackson]

Steve,

Here's Maine Sail's post, from the C36 Forum:

And for everyone, even those without radar, PLEASE add a radar reflector!!!!! Almost had a collision yesterday with a Cape Dory 25 who barely had a radar signature. I spotted him with about the same return as a lobster buoy, noted that this very small target appeared to be moving, blasted my fog horn and tried to hail them. I had already made a course adjustment to avoid collision and at the last minute they saw us and made one too but in error.

Of course the owner had:

No reflector
Not monitoring VHF 16, WHICH IS FEDERAL LAW
No running lights
No fog signals

Vis was about 60 yards... Ignorance is bliss I guess....

************

Ignorance IS bliss, and some of those dodos are the happiest people I know!!!!

 

[tcwaltz]

I have an 82 oday 28 shoal draft and love it. I'm still upgrading but would be happy to share anything I've learned including SS handrails, solar, led lighting etc.

 

[Dragon Fly]

stu and Tcwaltz,
many thanks for the replies and advice. YES.. i'll put up the radar reflector soon as i can, its in the box of extras that come with the boat. Also do have cabin mounted and hand held VHF, so u can hail us alright. Tcwaltz, i will take U up on your offer. yes stu, this one is a keeper !
steve.

 

[Dragon Fly]

thanks stu... lot's of getting used to with the new 28"

 

[Dragon Fly]

tcwaltz,
like to add a solar panel for batteries and electrical equip. fans etc.
suggestions about this for the oday28?
dragon fly.

 

[tcwaltz]

I have a single 230w 24v panel going into 4 Trojan 6v batteries. I have a pathfinder and shunt in my system so excess power charges my engine start battery. My lighting is all led now. The major power consumption is my refrigeration. I have not used shore power to charge in months. The other thing I notice is my batteries seem better because it charges during the day and get some use at night. Ive not had to put any water in my batteries in 3 months (I do have water miser caps also. I'm attaching photos of my install, charge controller and what it looks like 40' up the mast. Best thing is it adds more shade to the cockpit. All the mounting hardware is custom built

 

[Panta Rei]

steve,

Congratulations. Sounds Wonderful. In Your Other Post, You Mentioned Sailing In Heavy Fog. If It Was My Boat, I'd Get Radar, Right Away. Maine Sail Posted A Story About This Just Today. Pea Soup Stuff.

In All My Years Sailing, The Question You Asked Is The Most Prevalent. I Always Recommend Two Things:

1. Develop A Secure And Reliable Electrical System After You Learn Everything There Is To Know About Your Engine.

2. Stop! Do Not Do Anything To The Boat, Regardless Of What Anyone And Everyone Else May Have Done That You Can Get Your Hands On. Make The Boat Yours First, Get To Know Her And How You Use Her. The "fancy Dan" Cockpit Table That Bob In Minnesota May Have Made May Not Work For You If You Anchor Out In Fog And Eat Below. Etc......... Wait Three Or Six Months Over The Winter To Start Figuring Out What You Need, Not What Someone Else Has Done.

That Will Also Give You Time To Find Valuable Sources, 'cuz Not Everyone Here Has O'day 28s And I'm Sure There Are Other Internet Sources That May Be More Specific To Your Particular Boat, Like Maybe An Owners Association. Go Look For One.

Doesn't Preclude Getting Tips, And Saving Them For Later, But Get The Boat Systems, All Of Them, Down Pat Before You Start Other Things.

Good Luck, Sounds Like You Got "a Keeper!"

Ps - Injest - It Takes Using The Shift Key To Get A " Instead Of A Regular ' :neutral::neutral::neutral:

Great Advice!!!!

 

[cbourne200]

Stu - I'm curious about your comment "Not monitoring VHF 16, WHICH IS FEDERAL LAW". I see you are in San Fran and have a 34' Catalina. Is this based on length or location (would think NOT based on location if Fed Law)? I've had a 23' boat in FL waters for over 30 yrs (just moved up to 272 O'Day), but have never heard of this. Can you give more nfo?