Buying an O'Day 27+

[tmack]

I currently sail an O'DAy 22 and I am thinking about buying a 1976 27'. It's in good shape. A couple leaks, toerail? stanchions? Wondering if people have advice or comments. Will be sailing it around Boston Harbor.

 

[gene]

o'day 27

I feel strongly that leak areas should be carefully evaluated before purchase. The core at these areas, if wet will never dry out. The deck will be weak which may or may not be important, hence careful consideration. The tabernacle area should not be damaged from moisture. This means dry. Dry. The chainplate areas leak notoriously. Check the bulkheads for rot/damage. These HOLD your shrouds. Deck cleats should be dry also. Other areas like stanchions may be less important but if several of them have leaked I would wonder about other areas. All can be repaired but could be several thousand dollars unless you can do the repairs. I looked at several 25s, 26s and a 27 and 23 from Mystic,Ct to Norfolk, Va. before I found a 'dry' one. my 2cents, gene.

 

[Julian hood]

Own one, Love it

I have owned an Oday 27 for 5 Years. Bought it out of a yard in Annapolis and moved it to Georgia. As with old boats you might have some wet spots under the deck. Use a small wooden mallet and tap around the deck to see how much delamination is involved. The tone will change from a hard sound to more of a thud. The 27 is a great sailing boat, very quick response. DIY BOAT OWNER MAGAZINE 2002 #3 edition did an article on me redoing it. You might want to check it out. I have sailed it off the coast of Georgia and now have it on a large fresh water lake. Get a copy of This Old Boat by Don Casey. Very helpful.