Identify 6M O’DAY?

Sep 9, 2022
6
Oday 20 Sylvan Lake
I am new to this forum and would like to know how to identify my O’day 6M for sure. The plate on the bulkhead looks like it is hand stamped so am wondering if it’s something that has been made up by previous owner. This boat has been in the family since mid 90’s and as far as i know has only been in the water 3 times over that period. the plate Has O’day, then Mariner 6M then 655. I have not found a picture that matches. It doesnt have a sliding hatch over and just has vinyl curtains that velcro in place at the back of the cabin. It has a swing keel and a single window in the cabin each side. I would like to get a manual to know how to tune the mast, etc.
 

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
24,589
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Welcome to the SBO forum. Congrats on your boat. Sounds like you are looking to refurbish it.

Tuning is not specific to your boat model. If you explore the ideas of tuning and rigging you'll find the basics are common across all boats.

Your "O’day 6M" is also known as a Mariner 19. 1970 O'Day Mariner 19 — For Sale — Sailboat Guide
Built in the 60's through the 70's by O'Day, it was revived and is still being produced by Stuart Marine.
These links my help to shed light on this popular boat.
 
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Sep 9, 2022
6
Oday 20 Sylvan Lake
Welcome to the SBO forum. Congrats on your boat. Sounds like you are looking to refurbish it.

Tuning is not specific to your boat model. If you explore the ideas of tuning and rigging you'll find the basics are common across all boats.

Your "O’day 6M" is also known as a Mariner 19. 1970 O'Day Mariner 19 — For Sale — Sailboat Guide
Built in the 60's through the 70's by O'Day, it was revived and is still being produced by Stuart Marine.
These links my help to shed light on this popular boat.
Thanks for your reply. I wondered if it was a mariner 19 but this one looks different. It has a solid roof in the cabin area and no sliding hatch. As close as i can measure it for length it comes out to 19’ 4”.ABE2F43A-FF9F-4AB5-B289-77AE7712EE59.jpegABE2F43A-FF9F-4AB5-B289-77AE7712EE59.jpegAC322CA2-AB51-42EA-92FE-2F5EB06586D0.jpegC0600C86-B204-4E08-BBF7-5C9685C95DC0.jpegB3170196-ED3D-49E3-AD1A-26FED80097F8.jpeg
so still having trouble convincing myself as to what it is. I would like to order a manual for it but just not sure which one to get.
 
Sep 9, 2022
6
Oday 20 Sylvan Lake
Trundled thru some photos on other sites and have now seen a few others without the hatch on the companionway. Will order the mariner 19 manual. Thanks for your help.
 
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Jun 2, 2004
1,952
Oday Day Sailer Wareham, MA
Your MARINER would be a 1063-68 vintage version, the original deck style before the MARINER 2+2 was introduced in 1969.
This would be a CENTERBOARD model, there was no "swing-keel" model, and in fact O'DAY never built any Swing-Keel boats. For a Manual, see if you can find one for the 1963-68 model, I think I've seen one somewhere on-line, a manual for a later model may help a bit, but the earlier one will help more.I/m not sure where that metal ID Plate came from, it is not what O'DAY used on the boat from the Factory, see below, from a Mariner, they used the same style plate on all models, and in fact the "HULL#" (14457) relates to total boats built (all models) not just MARINERs, the CLASS# refers to how many of that class (so this plate is on the 782nd Mariner built, a 1966 model, I think). If that "655" number is the Class# of your boat, I'd venture a guess that she is a 1966. The info on the MARINER Class web-site Home - Mariner Class Association verifies that. Well worth checking out that site as there is LOTS of info on Mariners, mostly available even to us non-members of the Association. That said, joining the Mariner Class Association might be well worth the price!
 

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Oct 19, 2017
8,124
O'Day Mariner 19 3444 Littleton, NH
Hello Mike, it is good to welcome you to our forums. These guys are the best, and you just also found yourself the owner of a very fine boat. Try this link out for help identifying your Mariner. Hull ID Help - Mariner Class Association

Another great site is, O'Day Mariner #1922 "Orion" run by the president of the Mariner Class Association.

A Mariner 19 should measure 19' 2", but it wouldn't surprise me that a little variation creeps into the mold once in a while.

You have an early model. The 655 might even be your hull number, also used as the sail number. Mine is 2632. Early models had the stepped cabin, a V-berth and an open bulkhead into the cockpit. The next generation closed off the bulkhead with a companion way and hatch, and added two side berths under the cockpit benches, hence the 2+2 designation. Somewhere around the mid-70s, they changed the cabin trunk to take both the step out and the forward hatch, but added a compression post. They are all based on the Rhodes 19 hull.

Have fun with you new boat. For their size, they have one of the largest cockpits and are very easy to trailer. They are also one of the prettiest boats on the water.

-Will
 
Sep 9, 2022
6
Oday 20 Sylvan Lake
A big thank you to both Will Gilmore and Sunbird22358 for the replies. A wealth of information for sure. I guess i was thinking as the Center board pivoted down on the end of a cable that it would be a swing keel. I stand corrected. I am just in the process of working out how to step the mast up by myself easily as the boat will be in and out of the water most of the time. May put in a mooring next year so it is more available to sail. Thanks again.
 
Oct 19, 2017
8,124
O'Day Mariner 19 3444 Littleton, NH
i was thinking as the Center board pivoted down on the end of a cable that it would be a swing keel
It's a subtle distinction. Most sailors use the terms interchangeably, and if you Google it, you will find a lot of different views on the differences or similarities. This is how I see it. A center board and swing keel work exactly the same way. They pivot into position to provide lateral resistance. The swing keel, as the name implies, is the performs all the primary functions of a keel, including all the ballast. The centerboard, as the name implies, is just a board that acts as center board for the LR.

The Mariner has internal ballast. Your older model most likely includes lead or iron plates that lay in the bilge, approximately 200 lbs of weight. Your center board is made of iron, and this provides another 200 lbs. of ballast. The Mariners being built today by Stuart Marine in Rockland Maine are fiberglass and have little additional ballast. Because the centerboard doesn't contain all the ballast, it is a board and not a keel. But don't sweat the small stuff.

-Will
 
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Jun 2, 2004
1,952
Oday Day Sailer Wareham, MA
Somewhere around the mid-70s, they changed the cabin trunk to take both the step out and the forward hatch, but added a compression post. They are all based on the Rhodes 19 hull.


-Will
The change in the cabin design (eliminated the step and hatch) was apparently phased in sometime during the 1972 model year. I have found boats labeled as 1972 models, (as well as an O'DAY 1972 advertisement), that have the newer profile, although other 1972 boats have the older profile.
You basically nailed the "swing-keel" vs Centerboard difference! The O'DAY Mariner had 200# of Lead in the bilge and the CB weighed about 165#. I consider that to be a "ballasted Centerboard" boat, another weird term, but appropriate. <GRIN!>
The Stuart Mariner has an approximately 75# fiberglass centerboard, and they added another 50# of lead in the bilge, making it 250# now. I once had a chance to talk to a representative from STUART at a boat show, and he mentioned that several owners of the O'DAY-built boats have replaced their cast-iron CBs with the new fiberglass CB, and he said it apparently did not adversely affect the stability of the boats. I think my Neighbor's 1968 model has had her CB replaced like that, since I could see a little of the CB while the boat was on the trailer and the CB looked more like fiberglass (smooth and white!). Since I observed him once standing on the boom fixing something on the mast, and the boat was not tipping at all......... I guess the guy from Stuart was correct.
 
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Oct 19, 2017
8,124
O'Day Mariner 19 3444 Littleton, NH
I think my Neighbor's 1968 model has had her CB replaced like that, since I could see a little of the CB while the boat was on the trailer and the CB looked more like fiberglass (smooth and white!). Since I observed him once standing on the boom fixing something on the mast, and the boat was not tipping at all......... I guess the guy from Stuart was correct.
I can't speak to your neighbor's boat, but a lot of mariners have the problem of heavy corrosion of their caste iron CBs. Mine has a mild amount from my purchase. Often, as with the case of mine, an owner will sand out much of the corroded surface and use a leveling epoxy paint over fillers to smooth out the iron centerboard. The result would look like a glass CB, but, as with mine, most of the 165# is still there. However, you are right. A lot of Stuart Marine CBs have gone into older boats. The MCA (Mariner Class Association) has found an Amish foundry that can fabricate new caste iron boards, but I don't believe they have put together an order large enough to make it cost effective yet. It is still being worked on.

-Will
 
Sep 9, 2022
6
Oday 20 Sylvan Lake
Wow. Lots of wealth of knowledge. I am guessing that as my boat is number 655 and likely as a 1966 model, it would have a cast iron centreboard. I am thinking it wont have much corrosion having spent since 1995 our shed. Did get brave and rigged it up and launched it. this last friday.
ACD383B0-E652-4A3E-A979-0F67CDA2F10C.jpeg

it was pretty calm but was nice to see i could launch and retrieve it without much difficulty. Thanks again for all the words of wisdom. I am sure after i get it moving under sail there will be many more questions.
 
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Sep 9, 2022
6
Oday 20 Sylvan Lake
Here is a new question. My 1966 mariner 19 (6meter I’m told) boat has no uphaul or dawn haul lines on the rudder. Has anyone done a change over on their rudder as i find it quite difficult,(not impossible) to push the blade down. I can get it to come up by loosening the pinch bolt that locks it down. Any help appreciated.
 
Jun 2, 2004
1,952
Oday Day Sailer Wareham, MA
I'll defer to a MARINER owner on that question, I know there was apparently originally some kind of rigging cables/lines inside the rudder top.
 
Oct 19, 2017
8,124
O'Day Mariner 19 3444 Littleton, NH
There should be cables to raise and lower your rudder.

A lot of Mariner owners replace their original rudders with ones by Rudder Craft. Here is a link to Nate Bayreuther's site and his rudder refurbish and a review of his IdaCraft rudder.
Rudder Repair and Upgrade — O'Day Mariner #1922 "Orion"

Nate points out that the replacement rudders may not be race legal, so that is a consideration when modifying your boat. I don't race, so I don't care if my modifications are class legal.

-Will
 
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