Hello All,
Have been working my way through many pages of old forum posts and am looking forward to being part of things here. I just bought a 1974 O'Day 23 Convertible (partial pop-top) in pretty solid condition. Am starting to do some fixes now since it is a warm fall week in Vermont.
Boat had no trailer but got lucky and found a 1973 O'Day 23 with a 2011 trailer that was custom made for it. Single axle but very sturdy (heavy duty axle, springs and wheels). Combination had towed well for several hundred miles (since I got the boat positioning adjusted for about 370 lbs. of tongue weight). That gives me a spare boat which I may pass on to a family member if she and her husband want to refurbish it. But it might be nice to have spare spars, rudder, etc.
I really like this particular version of the 23 because of the headroom and the useful, for me, layout of the cabin. Biggest challenge will be dealing with the centerboard this spring. I don't know if it is stuck but will assume it is. May drop the keel, sandblast and repaint with the special anti-rust paint.
Would love to be in touch with other owners of the early 23s. Here's a pic made two years ago by the previous owner.
I've been sailing for about 30 years and my other current boat is a 1981 Mirage 5.5 (20 feet, semi-racing boat). What I've noticed about the O'Day 23 so far is that the hull, etc. seems very well built but some of the hardware (blocks, jib winches, etc.) are lighter than I'm used to. We'll see how they do and, if needed, I can swap.
Cheers,
Sean
Have been working my way through many pages of old forum posts and am looking forward to being part of things here. I just bought a 1974 O'Day 23 Convertible (partial pop-top) in pretty solid condition. Am starting to do some fixes now since it is a warm fall week in Vermont.
Boat had no trailer but got lucky and found a 1973 O'Day 23 with a 2011 trailer that was custom made for it. Single axle but very sturdy (heavy duty axle, springs and wheels). Combination had towed well for several hundred miles (since I got the boat positioning adjusted for about 370 lbs. of tongue weight). That gives me a spare boat which I may pass on to a family member if she and her husband want to refurbish it. But it might be nice to have spare spars, rudder, etc.
I really like this particular version of the 23 because of the headroom and the useful, for me, layout of the cabin. Biggest challenge will be dealing with the centerboard this spring. I don't know if it is stuck but will assume it is. May drop the keel, sandblast and repaint with the special anti-rust paint.
Would love to be in touch with other owners of the early 23s. Here's a pic made two years ago by the previous owner.
I've been sailing for about 30 years and my other current boat is a 1981 Mirage 5.5 (20 feet, semi-racing boat). What I've noticed about the O'Day 23 so far is that the hull, etc. seems very well built but some of the hardware (blocks, jib winches, etc.) are lighter than I'm used to. We'll see how they do and, if needed, I can swap.
Cheers,
Sean