I need some feedback quickly! We have looked at many used boats in the past few months and were about to make an offer on a 1987 O'Day 322 that appears to be in excellent condition. We have seen more than our share of Hunters and some Catalina's but this seemed to offer a lot of boat for the money. I was calling local marinas about slip availability and one particular marina manager just went off about O'Days and the problems with getting parts for them. He said he could work on them but there's only one place to get parts since O'Day and Pearson are out of business, and he said we'd be buying into a ton of headaches. Now everyone is entitled to their opinion and I absolutely didn't ask him for his, but now that he has given it to me, I'm concerned! We had heard about O'Days being 'lighter duty' boats (again, I guess it's a matter of opinion), but hadn't heard about this lack-of-parts issue. I thought the best people to ask would be other O'Day owners. We are first-time boat owners trying to make a good decision. HELP?
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Justin - O'day Owners' Web
Support for O'days
O'days are good boats and you can get parts. Now the details - first, remember that for the most part the gear on a boat didn't come from the manufacuturer in whole cloth. Winches, lines, spars, engines, radios, almost everything is from another vendor. Some of those are around, some are not, but that's an issue you'll have with all boats. The things that are boat specific can be a pain on any boat. These mean primarily hatches since they need to be molded from the original molds. Hunter and Catalina are still around, but even they don't have every possible part you could need. In short, if you like the boat, don't be afraid of the brand. Justin - O'day Owners' Web
O'days are good boats and you can get parts. Now the details - first, remember that for the most part the gear on a boat didn't come from the manufacuturer in whole cloth. Winches, lines, spars, engines, radios, almost everything is from another vendor. Some of those are around, some are not, but that's an issue you'll have with all boats. The things that are boat specific can be a pain on any boat. These mean primarily hatches since they need to be molded from the original molds. Hunter and Catalina are still around, but even they don't have every possible part you could need. In short, if you like the boat, don't be afraid of the brand. Justin - O'day Owners' Web
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Sailormannj
I'd run from that guy
Justin is right. Most of what is on that boat is from some other manufacturer. Yes there may be some items that are specific, but that goes with other items also. If you like her, she is in good condition, price is right go for it. O'Day is a good name. I have had mine for 24 years, and she is a good solid boat.
Justin is right. Most of what is on that boat is from some other manufacturer. Yes there may be some items that are specific, but that goes with other items also. If you like her, she is in good condition, price is right go for it. O'Day is a good name. I have had mine for 24 years, and she is a good solid boat.
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MArk
Nice choice
Hey Diane, Read the 4 owner reviews on this site (ignore the 1965 listed). I like the layout. Very roomy. The only owners' concern is the keel bolts but that's a concern for all fin keel and wing keel boats. Just remember to retorque them every year and rebed the keel whenever the bottom is reconditioned. If you know up front that some parts need replacing, call Rudy at D and R Marine to get price and availability and figure that into the final price. Contact information is on their web site: http://www.drmarine.com/ On the related link below is an 87 322 for sale near me with pictures for price comparison. Remember, boats aren't like cars. You don't have to go to a particular manufacturer to get particular part. As long as the hull is structurally sound it'll be OK. There are a lot of people out there who still make custom boats or have them made for them. Where do you suppose they get replacement parts? Final note: If you're going to shell out $30K plus for a boat and you've already decided that this is the one, be sure to hire yourself a marine surveyer to do a complete inspection. If he finds anything major you may want to pass this one by, but if he finds minor problems that can be fixed, you may be able to use his findings to knock some off the final price. Happy (fusion powered) sails *_/), MArk
Hey Diane, Read the 4 owner reviews on this site (ignore the 1965 listed). I like the layout. Very roomy. The only owners' concern is the keel bolts but that's a concern for all fin keel and wing keel boats. Just remember to retorque them every year and rebed the keel whenever the bottom is reconditioned. If you know up front that some parts need replacing, call Rudy at D and R Marine to get price and availability and figure that into the final price. Contact information is on their web site: http://www.drmarine.com/ On the related link below is an 87 322 for sale near me with pictures for price comparison. Remember, boats aren't like cars. You don't have to go to a particular manufacturer to get particular part. As long as the hull is structurally sound it'll be OK. There are a lot of people out there who still make custom boats or have them made for them. Where do you suppose they get replacement parts? Final note: If you're going to shell out $30K plus for a boat and you've already decided that this is the one, be sure to hire yourself a marine surveyer to do a complete inspection. If he finds anything major you may want to pass this one by, but if he finds minor problems that can be fixed, you may be able to use his findings to knock some off the final price. Happy (fusion powered) sails *_/), MArk
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Don Evans
Excellent Choice
Diane, I can't add to much to what the others have so elequently said. The 322 is a great boat. I had my eye on one last year in Toronto. Timing just wasn't right, but someday soon it will. It was a delicious boat. Loved the layout. Most of the O'Day original parts are available from one of the most caring suppliers in the business, Rudy at D&R marine, so don't let that worry you. Everything else can be replaced with other makes and models. The folks on this web site are some of the most knowledgeable and supportive individuals you will ever want to meet, so you are buying into a great family. The marina guy is wrong. Period. If the price seems good, and the survey checks out you won't be disappointed. Don
Diane, I can't add to much to what the others have so elequently said. The 322 is a great boat. I had my eye on one last year in Toronto. Timing just wasn't right, but someday soon it will. It was a delicious boat. Loved the layout. Most of the O'Day original parts are available from one of the most caring suppliers in the business, Rudy at D&R marine, so don't let that worry you. Everything else can be replaced with other makes and models. The folks on this web site are some of the most knowledgeable and supportive individuals you will ever want to meet, so you are buying into a great family. The marina guy is wrong. Period. If the price seems good, and the survey checks out you won't be disappointed. Don
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Diane
Keep Talking! This is great to hear!
I really ought to just publish his marina's name so all O'Day owners can banish him from any future business. You are right about many of the components of the boat not being brand-specific. We do like the boat and will likely make a firm offer tomorrow. I'll keep you posted!
I really ought to just publish his marina's name so all O'Day owners can banish him from any future business. You are right about many of the components of the boat not being brand-specific. We do like the boat and will likely make a firm offer tomorrow. I'll keep you posted!
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Diane
We're Under Contract
Well, we're getting closer .... have the 322 under contract and now wait for survey! Anyone know of anything in particular/unusual to expect with the O'Days? For example, all the Hunter owners said the same thing -- check the compression post. (And as it turns out, they were absolutely right -- the boat we had under contract had a big problem there.) We think the boat is very sound; we know the sails will need replaced soon and we'd like to add some canvas (bimini's appear to be a bit of a challenge on the O'Days.) So hopefully in a few weeks we will be new O'Day owners and then I'll have a few dozen more questions to post!
Well, we're getting closer .... have the 322 under contract and now wait for survey! Anyone know of anything in particular/unusual to expect with the O'Days? For example, all the Hunter owners said the same thing -- check the compression post. (And as it turns out, they were absolutely right -- the boat we had under contract had a big problem there.) We think the boat is very sound; we know the sails will need replaced soon and we'd like to add some canvas (bimini's appear to be a bit of a challenge on the O'Days.) So hopefully in a few weeks we will be new O'Day owners and then I'll have a few dozen more questions to post!
D
Don Evans
Congratulations
Hope the survey and your expectations are met. Are you planning on being there when the survey is undertaken? I personally would, trying not to be bothersome, just inquisitive. Ask questions. Probe his/her knowledge. Draw there attention to areas you may be unsure of. Write down, what they say or carry a small tape recorder with you. Will an engine survey be part of this, or contracted seperately? Diesel's are close to being bullet proof if they have been maintained. But there isn't anything more expensive onboard then the engine and is often just given a quick look. Please let us know what the survey points out. Don
Hope the survey and your expectations are met. Are you planning on being there when the survey is undertaken? I personally would, trying not to be bothersome, just inquisitive. Ask questions. Probe his/her knowledge. Draw there attention to areas you may be unsure of. Write down, what they say or carry a small tape recorder with you. Will an engine survey be part of this, or contracted seperately? Diesel's are close to being bullet proof if they have been maintained. But there isn't anything more expensive onboard then the engine and is often just given a quick look. Please let us know what the survey points out. Don
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Doug
just do it
Sailboats are a lot like motor homes or classic cars or homes. Sure its hard to find parts sometimes and you have to figure things out on your own, but you will learn that's half the fun of it!! --doug.........
Sailboats are a lot like motor homes or classic cars or homes. Sure its hard to find parts sometimes and you have to figure things out on your own, but you will learn that's half the fun of it!! --doug.........
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Diane D.
Michael, how did your survey go?
Did you have your survey yet on the O'Day 34? How did it go? Ours is tomorrow .....!
Did you have your survey yet on the O'Day 34? How did it go? Ours is tomorrow .....!
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