HELP! Just inherited a 1972 O'Day 22' ... hasn't seen water in 3 years!

[Double J]

Owner gave up the sport (I have been sailing for decades) ... so, if you have the time (apologies, I know spring is here, glad to hand you a beer if I ever see you out on the water as repayment!), what are the 'weak' spots I need to worry about (i.e. dangerous items)?

1. Rigging is fine - I only plan on day sailing, nothing special, no races, etc. (I can be rail-meat any time on friends machinery). Any specific mast tuning hints/weak-points?
2. No soft spots on deck (although the mold on the cabin floor is a real nasty shade of green)! Do I really care if there are minor 'soft' core issues with the deck anywhere as long as it is not a wide area (i.e. is there a high risk of failure and a foot falling through)?
3. Some minor cracks in fiberglass where rear of keel meets the bottom of the boat (small chunk missing in one spot), do I care? Could this create a leak/major rust issue which could lead to keel failure/turtle or worse? (Note - Judging from the rain water having filled the keel hole in the cabin floor, and reached the floor, I am thinking not) - I will fiberglass over them, just looking for dangerous spots ...
4. Small chunk of fiberglass missing from lower rear corner of keel ... same question as #3
5. There seems to be a small hole on the bottom of the boat, starboard side, 4' behind midships, and about midway between the keel and the side of the boat ... hmmmmmm ... was this some sort of drain?
6. Not worried about topside leaks - am sure this boat has not been caulked in 6+ years ... as long as keel area doesn't mind soaking in rain water between sails (again, only looking out for the dangerous with this one)!

Seriously, my sincerest gratitude - any experienced thoughts appreciated!

 

[jackhartjr]

Do you have a photo of that 'hole' you are talking about, my 75 model has a bilge drain just above the waterline in the area you are talking about. There is a builge pump where that hole in the cockpit floor is located.
The lead is 'encapsulated into the fibreglass keel, I am pretty sure the 72's also did this, I do not think any had keel bolts...if I am wrong someone can correct this.
The cracks you are talking about are probably due to 'hits' on the keel, hopefully they won't cause problems...I would think that glassing in that area will take care of this
Never be afraid to ask questions here!
Jack

 

[Double J]

Wow - Thanks so much for the quick reply!!! I know the hole you are talking about, I have one of those as well - this is below the waterline, on the underside of the hull about 20" starboard from the keel (toward the back of the keel) - and the hole goes straight up, can get a pen about 4" in there ... very strange spot for it; not sure how it could be caused by accident. Will get photos next week ... this darn job thing just seems to get int he way too much! Thx again, any other thoughts appreciated ...

 

[Joe11688]

The first thing to do is head to your local library and borrow a book by Don Casey entitled, Sailboat Hull & Deck Repair. There's a wealth of knowledge in this book that can take you through the steps in bringing this boat back to a usable condition. One of the most crucial places on this boat are the chain plates and the condition of the areas where they are attached. We met a guy on the river last year who bought an O'Day 22 and went right through it inside and out. It was in deplorable condition when he got it, but he brought right back. She looked real sharp sailing the river last year with her new sails.
Joe

 

[Shoaldrafter]

J Jefferson,

Be advised that this site does have archives and searching them may help answer questions quicker than direct responses.

Mildew is a topic discussed often. Some people use bleach, but bleach causes damage to many things like wood, Dacron, etc.

Some people use oxalic acid that is also known as painter's bleach. This is good for wood, but is known to damage some sealants and caulkings.

Then there is the plethora of commercial products. The citrus based products seem to clean well but unless they have other specific addititives like those two above are not yet known to cure the mildew mold problems. They do smell better and are less toxic to use.

Now for the alternative, what we call hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Yes, the stuff in brown bottles at the drug department. I am told that it comes in gallon jugs for commercial applications.

I do not know where to get it in gallon jugs. Maybe someone will recommend a source. Hydrogen Peroxide is easier to use than the other two with less known issues.

So get rid of water and moderately dry interior out. Wash with a soap agent to cut scum. Then apply Hydrogen Peroxide to mildew and let sit for a while. Then rinse.

I have no idea about your hull hole. Maybe while sitting it got infected with the dreaded polyester mites eating FRP. These are micro organisms that came to earth on meteorites. Once in contact with water they become macro organisms. They thrive on petrochemical byproducts, specifically polyester resin. They bore microscopic holes in fiberglass boats at the source gradually building a nest.

If you are sleeping on the boat they will sense your heat through the hull and then proceed to bore a teeny tiny hole. The hole is so small that water will not come in but large enough for the polyester mites to invade the boat. Once inside they immediately locate and devour their favorite foods such as Sperry Topsiders (only used ones that were worn without socks).

These things are evil. Once they invade your boat they can only be stopped with either a moderately sized nuclear explosion or a lot of hard cleaning work. Good Luck.

Ed K
O'26

 

[Double J]

Great point (I have read all the history I can dig up on the 22 ... goes back to 2000!) - Chainplates are fine (looks like the shroud attachments were replaced to a much stronger u bolt) ... "alien mites"? Come on now, that is as near science fiction as I can imagine! It may sound strange, but this is purely a day sailer, no one will ever be below decks (except to use the head), will apply the cleaning advice ... But no real interest in sinking "major rebuild" time in unless necessary for safety (Bulkheads seem solid, a little rot on the bottom of them); the amount of hours required would wipe out my next three summers and frankly I'd rather be on the water! Thx again for the info - any thoughts on deck soft spots/necessary repair?

 

[jackhartjr]

I used the 'SailBrite' cleaner for the decks that have the little impression in them...oh yeah...Non-Skid decks. That really cleans the crud off which was a lot of that green mold.
Jack