Hello Everyone: Happy to be aboard. I have been a fan of O'days for many years, and am seriously thinking about getting a boat for daysailing, cruising-class racing, and an occasional overnighter here on Casco Bay. The big debate is how much boat to buy. I realize that this is a loaded question and I want to limit the discussion to early 80s vintage 22s, 222s and 23s. I have heard a number of things about each, and would like to get some opinions. Here is some food for thought: I like the 23 because of the extra room, extra privacy forward, and the anchor locker. The 222 is appealing because I have heard it is a faster "more modern" design. And the 22 is appealing because (like the 23) many were manufactured and thus there are a lot to choose from. Your opinions regarding quality, ease of use, performance, safety, maintenance, parts availability, etc. will be greatly appreciated. Best Regards,
First Sailboat: 22 vs 222 vs 23
- Thread starter Bungo Pete
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M
Mike
Deciding factor
The deciding factor for me when I was choosing amongst the Oday 22, 222, 23 and various others (Oday Tempest, Catalina 22, Cape Dory Typhoon, etc.) was the head privacy issue. The Admiral and I had previously time shared a Catalina 22, and she did not want to have the head in the middle of the cabin again, or even behind a curtain. She wanted a door. I didn't care all that much at the time, but SWMBO had spoken. I bought the 23 (a 1979 model) with the same goals as you: daysailing with the occasional overnighter. The head privacy issue turned out to be a bigger deal than I thought it would. We often take other couples out, and I know our guests appreciate the ability to do their bidness in private. When you are anchored out in the bay enjoying a quiet lunch after a few hours of sailing, its nice not to have to hurry back to the dock so someone's shy bladder doesn't burst. My kids and their friends also appreciate the head. I had forgotten how shy and private kids can be. Performance? None of your choices are known for their speed. However, I have always done ok when racing against similar-sized non-racing boats. I have never sailed on a 222, but I have been on both a 22 and 23. The 23 is faster and more stable. Unless trailering weight is an issue, I would definitely go with the 23. I agree with your decision to go with the later year models, but keep in mind that Oday changed the 23 design in 1978 or 79; pretty much any 23 made after that will have the anchor locker, bow and stern pulpits and a pull out double bunk in the salon. Good luck!
The deciding factor for me when I was choosing amongst the Oday 22, 222, 23 and various others (Oday Tempest, Catalina 22, Cape Dory Typhoon, etc.) was the head privacy issue. The Admiral and I had previously time shared a Catalina 22, and she did not want to have the head in the middle of the cabin again, or even behind a curtain. She wanted a door. I didn't care all that much at the time, but SWMBO had spoken. I bought the 23 (a 1979 model) with the same goals as you: daysailing with the occasional overnighter. The head privacy issue turned out to be a bigger deal than I thought it would. We often take other couples out, and I know our guests appreciate the ability to do their bidness in private. When you are anchored out in the bay enjoying a quiet lunch after a few hours of sailing, its nice not to have to hurry back to the dock so someone's shy bladder doesn't burst. My kids and their friends also appreciate the head. I had forgotten how shy and private kids can be. Performance? None of your choices are known for their speed. However, I have always done ok when racing against similar-sized non-racing boats. I have never sailed on a 222, but I have been on both a 22 and 23. The 23 is faster and more stable. Unless trailering weight is an issue, I would definitely go with the 23. I agree with your decision to go with the later year models, but keep in mind that Oday changed the 23 design in 1978 or 79; pretty much any 23 made after that will have the anchor locker, bow and stern pulpits and a pull out double bunk in the salon. Good luck!
Other Options
I'll show my bias as I am an O'Day 25 owner. The O'Day 25 is trailerable (sort-of) and has significantly more room. If you can find a fin keel or a tall rig you will have a good boat. The prices are very reasonable. Another option is a Tanzer 22. You can often find them with excellend sail inventories, as there are a lot of people racing them. I sail in Nova Scotia and can tell you that the extra freeboard is comforting when the waves get bigger (particularly for the significant other). Having owned my O'Day for two seasons I can highly recommend them on strength and build quality, but mine is not a fast boat. I think any of the choices you have listed would have their advantages. Something to consider is purchase price and resale value. You may (probably will) want to trade up in the future, so something that is in high demand might be a better option - here it seems to be C&C's, Catalinas, and J-Boats (J-24 might be another option). Pearsons are also popular and plentiful on the east coast. Whatever you choose, love it and sail it lots, and good luck.
I'll show my bias as I am an O'Day 25 owner. The O'Day 25 is trailerable (sort-of) and has significantly more room. If you can find a fin keel or a tall rig you will have a good boat. The prices are very reasonable. Another option is a Tanzer 22. You can often find them with excellend sail inventories, as there are a lot of people racing them. I sail in Nova Scotia and can tell you that the extra freeboard is comforting when the waves get bigger (particularly for the significant other). Having owned my O'Day for two seasons I can highly recommend them on strength and build quality, but mine is not a fast boat. I think any of the choices you have listed would have their advantages. Something to consider is purchase price and resale value. You may (probably will) want to trade up in the future, so something that is in high demand might be a better option - here it seems to be C&C's, Catalinas, and J-Boats (J-24 might be another option). Pearsons are also popular and plentiful on the east coast. Whatever you choose, love it and sail it lots, and good luck.
C
Chuck R
I have enjoyed my New to Me 222
Comming back to sailing after 50 years of powerboating I am throughly enjoying my 222 O'Day. Here is what I like, It is very responsive at the tiller. The hatch opening was made wider and the hatch slides far forward.. Storage in unbeleivable. The 5hp 4 stroke Nissan pushes the boat at an easy 6mph. Cockpit is roomey and comfortable to sit in. She likes her 15* heel, sails well in light air as well as the 15 mph breezes. She handles like a bigger boat and keeps her passengers dry. Her shoal ballast keel and centerboard allows her to point very well. Although I can't always keep up with the 27 and 30 foot O'Days, Tanzers and catalina's I do a good job with them mostly because she goes to windward better, ( I have raced every wed evening this first summer ) and found out her supurb pointing ability. Would I buy a 222 again? YES! She is well built giving me a secure feeling of a solid boat. Lake Erie being the shallow Great Lake our short chop gives a sometimes complex wave pattern, but the boat handles it very well. Good Luck deciding. I was fortunate enough to meet Kapt10jon on this forum who has sailed all his life and has owned many O'Days. He told me to get the 222 if I could find a good one. It took all last winter to find "GETAWAY". I only saw 5 for sale and almost gave up. Then I read that about 130 222's were made. I am her fourth owner, not to bad for a 1986 model. From Calif, to Minn, to Tenn, and now Ohio. Oh and lastly the 222 rig is 7/8ths fractional with swept back spreaders.
Comming back to sailing after 50 years of powerboating I am throughly enjoying my 222 O'Day. Here is what I like, It is very responsive at the tiller. The hatch opening was made wider and the hatch slides far forward.. Storage in unbeleivable. The 5hp 4 stroke Nissan pushes the boat at an easy 6mph. Cockpit is roomey and comfortable to sit in. She likes her 15* heel, sails well in light air as well as the 15 mph breezes. She handles like a bigger boat and keeps her passengers dry. Her shoal ballast keel and centerboard allows her to point very well. Although I can't always keep up with the 27 and 30 foot O'Days, Tanzers and catalina's I do a good job with them mostly because she goes to windward better, ( I have raced every wed evening this first summer ) and found out her supurb pointing ability. Would I buy a 222 again? YES! She is well built giving me a secure feeling of a solid boat. Lake Erie being the shallow Great Lake our short chop gives a sometimes complex wave pattern, but the boat handles it very well. Good Luck deciding. I was fortunate enough to meet Kapt10jon on this forum who has sailed all his life and has owned many O'Days. He told me to get the 222 if I could find a good one. It took all last winter to find "GETAWAY". I only saw 5 for sale and almost gave up. Then I read that about 130 222's were made. I am her fourth owner, not to bad for a 1986 model. From Calif, to Minn, to Tenn, and now Ohio. Oh and lastly the 222 rig is 7/8ths fractional with swept back spreaders.
Thanks!!
Thanks for the replies. I am not sure if this is now easier or harder!! HaHa. I have just started my search, and most people have told me to look at as many boats as possible; and that is what I will do. Thanks again guys.
Thanks for the replies. I am not sure if this is now easier or harder!! HaHa. I have just started my search, and most people have told me to look at as many boats as possible; and that is what I will do. Thanks again guys.
Pocket Crusier
I picked up my 22 at the factory in 1972...34 years. Cruised with wife and two boys in the early years. I've been on Casco Bay since 1981, mooring in South Freeport. If you want..contact me at wgraumann@freightlinerofmaine.com I'll be happy to discuss the pros & cons.
I picked up my 22 at the factory in 1972...34 years. Cruised with wife and two boys in the early years. I've been on Casco Bay since 1981, mooring in South Freeport. If you want..contact me at wgraumann@freightlinerofmaine.com I'll be happy to discuss the pros & cons.
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