Could you guys take a look at this boat please?

[Thorin]

Greetings O'day sailors! I have been lurking on this site for days now, and have really enjoyed the knowledgable commentary. I figured I would register and ask a few questions, if that's ok. I do not currently own a boat, but am actively seeking the right one for me. I am currently first mate on my friend's Catalina 22 wing keel here (which seems to be a fine boat) in North Louisiana, and I am completely hooked. The time has come for me to branch out on my own and add my own vessel to the fleet. I have heard and read many good things about the O'day's, and really like what I see. I think the perfect boat for my preference would be a 240 wing keel, but I just cannot afford the $8000-$10,000 that they appear to be selling for. That said, I have been looking at the older 23's, and think that a nice one would suit me fine. The privacy of the v-berth/head area is important to me, having a daughter and wife as crew members. I have no problem putting a lot of elbow grease into a boat to have it ready for Spring. In my perusing of this site, I have gained some knowledge about the transitions that the 23's went through in the 1974-1975 era, but I am still not clear on what kind of keel construction this particular boat has. Everything I've read cites "before 1974", and "after 1974", etc. It is a consignment boat, and the gentleman I spoke to was very nice, but knows nothing about sailboats. He told me that they previously had a buyer, but when they attempted to land the boat on the trailer, the keel would not come up. Could someone please give me their best insight as to what kind of keel this boat has, and what the problem might be? If it's not that big of a deal, I am seriously thinking about driving over to Texas and checking it out, and possibly taking it home woth me. So, I present to you a 1974 O'day 23, which appears to be in pretty good shape. there are 5 photo links toward the bottom of the ad. Thank you for any insight or opinions of any kind regarding this particular build of O'day. Have a good day!

http://www.yachtworld.com/core/list...im=broker&&hosturl=grandpappy&&ywo=grandpappy&

 

[Joe11688]

I wasn't able to view the pictures, but I'll try it again later on.
I can't understand why the centerboard wouldn't come up on this boat unless they have been leaving it down and it's full of vegetation or broken. If you go down to look at this boat check the Vin numbers on the transom to make sure that it's a 74 and not a 73 with a cast iron keel. The last two numbers will be the date. I wouldn't rush into anything. Take your time in finding something suitable for you and your family. Check out the O'Day 25 keel/centerboard. Seaward made a nice 22 keel/centerboard that is really fast and comfortable. To be perfectly honest with you, I'm not a fan of wing keels. I've gotten my anchor line caught on my centerboard a couple of times, and was always lucky to free it. I'm not certain that this would be possible it it got caught on a wing keel. It's just something to think about when you're making a choice.
Joe

 

[Thorin]

Ok, I will take your advice, thanks. That's an interesting take on the wing keel, I never considered that drawback before. I wish the broker knew more about the boat, because it looks like it might be a good deal. I will be sure to not be too hasty, as you suggested. Thanks again!

 

[HukilauMike]

That looks like a nice example of one of the non-pop top 23's. I've never seen one in person, but I had heard they made them. The pop-top cabin on the Oday 23 was by all accounts a cranky, leaky system, not nearly as successful or useful as the Catalina system. I note a couple of things: the winches are the original, stick-the-handle-in-the-side type. Check to make sure they work, and that there is a winch handle that comes with the boat as it will be difficult to find a replacement. As for the centerboard, there is probably no other topic that comes up as often for 23's as stuck centerboards on this website. If a board is really stuck, you can bet it will be a chore to unstick it, and probably even a bigger chore to make sure it doesn't stick again. The only way to figure out if its a big job is to haul the boat. If its sticking for any reason other than barnacles or other easily removable obstructions, I say pass on this boat. Even if you won't be trailering the boat and sail in deep water areas, the fact that the board won't retract will impact your ability to sell the boat. Of course, if you like a do-it-yourself challenge, go ahead. Removing the old board and making a new one is a relatively doable project (assuming you have the skills). However, if you are going to hire someone to do it for you, be prepared to spend as much to fix the centerboard as you paid for the boat.

 

[Joe11688]

Ok, I will take your advice, thanks. That's an interesting take on the wing keel, I never considered that drawback before. I wish the broker knew more about the boat, because it looks like it might be a good deal. I will be sure to not be too hasty, as you suggested. Thanks again!

Keel/centerboards, and I think wing keel sloops, have a tendency to sail around in a circle when you let go of the tiller. This is probably due to the keel being so short, whereas keel boats will most likely point right up like a weather vane. I always lift my centerboard first, before coming up into the wind to go forward to drop my anchor.
It isn't just the fact that the wing keel can get caught on objects, but some of the guys in our club have talked to Rudy Nickerson of D & R Marine about wing keels and he said that they really aren't all that they are cracked up to be. I delivered a 1986 O'Day 272 wing keel sloop up from the Cape to Bristol RI three years ago and I liked the idea of the shoal draft of the boat. It allowed me to go into a shallow cove that other boats of this size wouldn't be able to do, but then, a keel/centerboard O'Day 26 could probably do that as well. If you find something that you like locally, take your friend with you to check it out. Two heads are always better than one.
Joe

 

[LordNelson]

interesting. i always leave my board down on my oday 20 when i go forward to drop or change the headsail. if i leave the main tighten in, the boat will keep heading up into the wind. (providing the tiller is free)

if i forget to drop the board (because i was sailing downwind with it raised) the boat starts going in circles while i am on the bow. makes for some interesting situations and helps me remember to drop it the next time.

 

[Joe11688]

interesting. i always leave my board down on my oday 20 when i go forward to drop or change the headsail. if i leave the main tighten in, the boat will keep heading up into the wind. (providing the tiller is free)

if i forget to drop the board (because i was sailing downwind with it raised) the boat starts going in circles while i am on the bow. makes for some interesting situations and helps me remember to drop it the next time.

I couldn't get away with doing that on my boat because she would sail off while I was out on the bow lowering the anchor. I need to let the Main sheet off before I let go of the helm. I guess all boats handle differently.