How the sailing world has changed

[25yearslater]

Well it's been 25 years since I sold my much enjoyed Teazer, an Oday 22. It is amazing how things have changed in that time. The internet didn't exist and the access to others with similar interests as well as access to info about repair problems and parts to repair those problems. Today the situation has changed dramatically, yours truly plunked down the cash for a 1976 Oday 27. See RCR Yachts before it goes poof if you're curious. Thanks to all for posting comments without which I might have abstained from purchasing a boat again. Your comments on suppliers and common problems have emboldened me to take the plunge as I will be sailing the boat to my home port for what will be a return to pristine condition endeavor. And could somebody tell me what is the fascination with hole saws and instruments? For crying out loud it's a boat not a plane.

 

[olsalt]

The winds still blow, the tides flow and ebb, and faraway places still call....

 

[25yearslater]

Thanks old salt. It doesn't hurt to be reminded how some things remain the same. The boat is just a bit northeast of you on Sodus Bay. I've been on Oneida Lake years ago when I was working tugboats. Beautiful area. Fair winds to you.

 

[25yearslater]

Ok so now the real questions begin. On the 76 oday 27 I have purchased there are 4 molded in, what appear to be access ports in the inner linner, directly under each of the lower shrouds. They have been filled in using something and I suspect this was a craptastic repair attempt to stiffen the deck as there is significant core delamination. What originally was their function and were they indeed access to the shroud attachment hardware. Making new covers will be easy once the deck repairs are complete.

 

[sig&jojo]

Welcome back to the sea, I as well have just returned to sailing thanks to my son and his patience in listening to my years of stories of sailing adventures. He made his first purchase 4 days ago, a 74 ODay 27. It is due to be delivered on Wednsday. I am looking very forward to getting back into the wind and am sorry to admit the admiral and I have moved on to power boats It is never to late to go back, we will be sailing the St.Lawrence just north of Ogdensburg NY and will post remarks as the late season develops.

Sig

 

[25yearslater]

Hi neighbor and thank you. Looking forward to getting the boat home so the restoration work can begin. First thing will be to rip off the deck due to significant delamination of the core. No point in trying to salvage the awful repairs made to date. On the plus side when I surveyed the boat the hull doesnt have a mark on it and the unviersal 4 started right up with no smoke oil nothing nada. Mast and riggin were perfect and the big plus was the interior bulkhead with the upper shroud chainplate was solid as the day it came from the factory. Other than the ooops to fast nosebleed from a docking mishap most of the rubrail is OK. And my pet peeve instrument holes are all highly repairable. Is it worth restoring? What is anything worth in terms of dollars. To me this will be my last boat and I am going for factory perfect if there is such a thing. It will still cost a boatload less than a new boat. Take care and thanks for a reply. I

 

[olsalt]

Hi 25, it sounds like you may have a decent vessel there. Gotta love previous owners (everywhere) and what they leave for others to fix up! I guess people think they need to cut holes for all the instruments they can buy so they can go for a little daysailing. The ancients (from say, the 1960's) circled the globe using RDF's and knowledge.

I helped shake down a friends Flying Dutchman on Sodus Bay a few years ago, it is a fine place and Lake Ontario is a great cruising area.

 

[sig&jojo]

Agreed PO alterations can be frustrating, fortunately for my son his boat is pretty much stock, although the compass is in bad shape and will need to be replaced and the interior cushions are in need of updating, looking forward to lake Ontario next season

Sig

 

[25yearslater]

Thanks Sig and Jojo and Old Salt for the kind words. If you didn't get a look at it, it's still on the RCR Yachts website. I think you'll get a chuckle out of the sheer number of holes in the bulkhead by the companionway. Something else that hasn't changed is the comraderie. Good to know the more things change the more they stay the same. A special thanks to those who posted the info for Redrum fabrics and D&R Marine. This is gonna be fun. Take care everybody.