First time out with a Daysailer II

[Bob Rowe]

I have been lucky enough to have come by an O'Day Daysailer II, hull 8666, 1977. It was filthy, but sound. Last Saturday I took it out with a friend for the first time and had a blast. This is one fun boat for a sometime sailer.Questions:What are the battens usually made of? I've been considering 1/2 or 3/4" gray PVC conduit cut to the right size.The auto bailer leaks--in and out (rainwater). I have read where people have replaced the original with one from a Sunfish, but what about removing it and glassing over the openings?Has anyone rigged a downhaul for the main? I have a good plan for a downhaul and gatherer for the jib, but getting the main down is something else altogether.Thanks in advance. This is one fun--and fine--boat!

 

[Rod Johnson,]

Answers

The battens are fiberglass, pultruded "sticks" 5/8" wide and have plastic tips that are 3/4" wide. D&R Marine has them as a set, or a local sailmaker can make a set for you. I've included D&Rs web-site below.The self-bailer (or is it self-filler?) is basically the same as the one on a SUNFISH, but with a longer "pipe" to accomodate the thicker hull. I have also considered removing my bailer and glassing over the hole, then installing an automatic bilge pump instead. I keep my boat on a mooring all summer, so need a method to keep the cockpit semi-bailed out. The bailer originally had a plug (mine has that) to close it off when not needed, I use the plug while sailing since the water seems more prone to coming in than going out. If your plug is gone, a small cork or rubber plug will work fine.I have a doownhaul on the boom of my DS II for sail shape adjustment, but have never needed a downhaul to lower the sail. I just reach up and grab the sail and pull down if it doesn't fall on it's own after I release the halyard. A bit of candle wax rubbed along and in the slot in the mast does wonders! I stand at the forward end of the cockpit to raise or lower my Mainsail, or sometimes stand on the deck near the mast.