Introduction and new to me O'day 25 project...

[Mikesab]

Yup, I kept telling people...

"I bought a sailboat.... well, actually it's just a boat right now, because it doesn't have any sails.... "

So, HEY, I own a Sailboat!!

 

[Mikesab]

Well just a few more days until I get to see the boat (in person) and begin work on it! I am stoked!

News and update:
The PO backed out on our verbal agreement for the motor portion of the motor/sail deal. He said his wife wouldn't let him sell the motor... well, whatever.

Previous to the PO backing out, my buddy (who owns a marina) came by and I was telling him how I had bought a sailboat down in FL, and he said, "oh do you need a motor, cuz I have a nice one from sailboat I repo'd a few years back, and I have no use for it" I of course turned him down, as I (at least I thought) had a deal already in FL for the Tohatsu.

This happened about one hour before the PO reneged on the motor deal, so I kind of look at his stopping by as providential!

After he left, and I got word of the deal falling thru with the PO, I called my friend back and we negotiated a good deal on his repo'd 2002 Honda X-long shaft 9.9 Fourstroke.

We put fresh gas in it, and it fired right up and idled nicely!
I plan on replacing the water pump impeller, as it has sat for awhile and I want the piece of mind of knowing at least that part is not going to crap out halfway to the dry tortugas or something...

 

[Indysailor]

You gotta like how things are falling into place. This boat really wants to sail!

 

[Mikesab]

Well, sorry for not posting the progress, but I arrived in Florida last monday, and threw myself into working morning to night on getting this thing back in shape, and quite frankly have been just too tired to blog it out at the end of the day.

So far I have had 6 full days of work. BUT, it is starting to come together!

I promise to get the Ken Burns photo journal posted soon for the benefit of others.

So far I ended up:
- pulling out both bulkheads
- remanufacturing New Bulkheads
- repairing the cabin top under the mast step (fortunately, not rotted, but only ripped from the dismasting)
- reconnecting and troubleshooting all the wiring (working perfectly now)
- prepping and filling all deck penetrations with thickened west system.
- removed the somewhat crumbly vanity and head deck
- removed the old bent up mast hinge
- replacing the centerboard pendant (it was frayed at one spot to maybe one or two more cycles of up/down) (anyone need a bucket full of zebra mussels and barnacles?) =)

Development #2
While I was here, I acquired ANOTHER 78 Oday 25 via a friend of my dad.
Pictured as we picked it up...

I motored it down the river to my dads dock, and on the voyage, I dubbed the boat "Dereli'ct (zoolander pronunciation "DARE-EL- LEEKT")
Other boaters passing by on the river started to wave, and then I could see the apprehension creep over their faces as this floating moss covered semblance of a sailboat came into view... =)

after power washing...

I have been able to take some parts from it to complete a host of missing small parts that were cannabalized on my project boat by the previous owner.

That being said, I have a few extra parts....
Is there any interest in the following parts?
I am considering selling some of them to recoup my investment in this other boat.

1. Mast w/ masthead
2. Boom
3. complete set of standing rigging (might keep this as emergency spares)
4. Forward hatch
5. Main sliding hatch
6. Teak hand rails
7. Bow Rail
8. Stern Rail
9. Complete Rudder (tiller attachment, gudgeons and pinions)
10. Hanked on 135 Genoa (condition 6?, very crisp, but some of the grommets at the corners are still very solid, but corroded)
11. Teak Hatch slides


Probably more stuff but that is all that comes to mind right now.
Located in Fort Myers, FL, but I could ship some of the smaller stuff I suppose.

Well, I am taking today as a rest day (Sunday) and planning on installing and raising the mast on Monday.

 

[Mikesab]

Ok, here is a rundown with some pictures.

I started by pulling out the head and vanity, and taking out the old bulkheads to use as patterns.
I had to guess on the edge line where the rot had obliterated a clean line, but all in all, only had to do minimal trimming on the starboard panel to get a good fit.

I then sealed them in West system for the edges, and spar on the wood grain side, and oil primer and paint on the head/vanity side.
(I west system'd the chainplate bolt holes after they were drilled to insure no water ingress and then lined up everything for final fit and tightening.

Next I addressed the area where the chainplate rocketed thru the deck, removing the old broken fiberglass and cutting a trapezoidal shape for blending in and painting to look "somewhat like it was supposed to be that way"

On the "good side" I taped and sanded the non-skid to match the other side, and then routed the chainplate slot larger and undercut the deck back, then refilled the whole thing with thickened west system in preparation for re-cutting the slot allowing for a sealed non-wood environment around the plate to insure adequate and full sealing with 3m 4000 caulking.

**It is my opinion that the original slot being just 1/16" wider than the chainplate and almost touching the edges, never allowed for a good caulking and probably broke the seal, the first time it was put under load... Maybe the reason we have these bulkhead failures so commonly.
Here is the pre-caulk slot, and finished repair

The cabin top under the mast was fortunately not rotted, but only ripped thru where the mast tipped over, there was a small area where the power and antenna cables went thru that where starting to show some decay, so I cut out all the old damaged glass and wood, and replaced with west system encapsulated marine plywood and then several layers of CSM and 6 oz. cloth and then final filled the imperfections with "Evercoat 27"

Primed and painted with SeaGloss white.
(the repair and the strip of gel coat down the center to the hatch to blend it in)

More pics coming...

 

[Mikesab]

Just a quick post to show the boat as it sets today, still have some small projects aboard, but hopefully within a few days of being ready for my June/July Sabbatical cruise

 

[Ward H]

It's looking good Mike! You've done a to of work on her and it will soon pay off.

 

[RichBone]

Nice job. Just today I got the cover off of mine. Real late start this year up here. Only a precious few even have their covers off. Enjoy.

 

[Erieau]

Nice job. Just today I got the cover off of mine. Real late start this year up here. Only a precious few even have their covers off. Enjoy.

No kidding. I launched on Friday, and I'm the only one in at our marina. (It's nice not being at the mercy of a Travelift.)
Most of the finger docks got heaved by the extreme freezing this year, so a lot of guys won't get in for a long while yet.

 

[Ready2Sail]

Need items for 23 O'Day

Thanks!
I have been using that same bookmark to add potential purchase items to my pre-work spreadsheet for cost/budget analysis.

Update: I spoke with the PO today in reference to the missing lower rudder pintle (drmarine part $75) and he said, he thinks he knows were it is, and I could have it..., however it needs a new PIN welded to it. This is good news, as heliarc-ing a new pin will be a piece of cake, and take $75 off the project budget =)

Oh, and as and update to the update, the PO said he just came across another boat he really wants and might now be selling his 23 Oday... which would mean all the stuff he scavenged off this 25 to use on the 23, would be available.
Of course for a small price, but that would mean sails, running rigging, cushions, curtains, outboard, whatever.... for a fraction of sourcing all that stuff separately, since he has no need for it any longer. praying that part works out. =)

Q: You needed a new centerboard?

Mine functions, raises and lowers, but because it is in the water, I won't be able to see it until I go swimming (which I plan to do to inspect below the waterline)

In the above post you mention having parts for a 23' O'Day. I am restoring an old Pop Top version now and would love to see what you have. I just ordered a new roller jib - had a new centerboard made out of Kevlar and installed last Fall along with complete hull clean up - working on rigging and cutting out rot and rebuilding stern now. Let me know what you have.

 

[Mikesab]

Nope, sorry they are parts for a 25 Oday. The previous owner has a 23 Oday as well, and was trying to use the sails from the 25 on the 23.... didn't work.

Not sure what would or could be transferable for you.
We have sold the mast, boom, and jib.
All I have left is the two hatches, and the rudder w/ attachment hardware.

 

[Ready2Sail]

Thanks anyway. I just ordered a new jib and had a rudder made about a year ago. Do you think the rudder would work on the 23? My rudder is two layers of pressed wood and the coating cracks and has to be redone/touched up. Might be nice to have a fiberglass rudder.

 

[Mikesab]

Thanks anyway. I just ordered a new jib and had a rudder made about a year ago. Do you think the rudder would work on the 23? My rudder is two layers of pressed wood and the coating cracks and has to be redone/touched up. Might be nice to have a fiberglass rudder.

I am not sure, as I am totally new to sailing larger boats and to Odays.

Maybe someone else with more experience will chime in regarding that issue.

 

[Dave Smith]

I commend you for taking on the project. I have an '82 O'Day 25 that will need to have both bulkheads replaced in the next year or two, and because I don't have a trailer, it will be hard for me to work on. Looking at your photos, I just would like to offer one bit of advice: the rudder you have is the original. Just so you know, the center of the rudder is foam. If you have any signs of water damage from the lack of the pintle, check it closely. I snapped my rudder in two at the water line about 200 yards north of the Grand Haven pier in a crazy wind storm. What a fun day that was! Have since replaced it with one from D&R Marine. The replacement is a solid rudder (some type of resin) and is a lot better.

Anybody know where I can find a trailer? I might be parting this boat out, so stand by!