Is an O'Day Tempest right for me on Buzzards Bay?

[jfrancis100]

Hi,

I'm a new member and live in Mattapoisett, Ma on Buzzards Bay. I haven't sailed for a very long and have an opportunity to purchase a 1969 O'Day Tempest, it's in great shape and I got the sailing bug again.

My question is with a boat of this size how far from Mattapoisett harbor will she be safe to sail?

For example, can she handle sailing from Mattapoisett to Falmouth? Or do I dare venture to Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket?

I'm also assuming that I first get my sea legs back, so my question is really about her seaworthiness, not my current capabilities.

Thanks for any advice you can offer.

 

[peterbud]

Oday 20 for Buzzards Bay

Hi,

I'm a new member and live in Mattapoisett, Ma on Buzzards Bay. I haven't sailed for a very long and have an opportunity to purchase a 1969 O'Day Tempest, it's in great shape and I got the sailing bug again.

My question is with a boat of this size how far from Mattapoisett harbor will she be safe to sail?

For example, can she handle sailing from Mattapoisett to Falmouth? Or do I dare venture to Martha’s Vineyard or Nantucket?

I'm also assuming that I first get my sea legs back, so my question is really about her seaworthiness, not my current capabilities.

Thanks for any advice you can offer.

I currently have a Oday 222 and take it over to the vinard all the time so I dont think you would have a real problem going to falmouth of you use some good judgement. As you know if you are going to go to Falmouth you have to go through either Woods Hole that can have a very strong current. I have caught in there in the past when the navigational bouys were being pulled under water. The second consideration is that the winds on Buzzards Bay can get pretty strong so I would make sure you can reef your sail down. Getting back to the current in woods hole I would want to make sure that you have a motor strong enough to push you through a moderate current and not the minimum that will move the boat in flat water.

This is my two cent and I am sure people will disagree. If you buy the boat I hope to see you on the Vineyard.

 

[chuckwayne]

jfrancis,
the tempest is a very fast olympic racing class from the 60's-70's. It uses a trapeze for the crew and can be tricky to sail. I wouldn't consider this boat outside of a protected bay (like inside the harbor). In addition, I don't think they're really set up to carry an outboard.

 

[Roger Long]

The tempest is a very fast olympic racing class from the 60's-70's.

No, different Tempest.

 

[sailingdog]

Should be fine. I'd recommend getting some good ground tackle, so that if you do get caught out by a summer afternoon storm, you can drop the hook in a sheltered cove.

As pointed out above, a good reefing setup will be a necessity, as will watching the tides/currents. The Tempest isn't fast enough to overcome the current in some areas, so if you're not careful in your planning, you can get in trouble.

I sail out of New Bedford, and if you need help one of these weekends, PM me and I might be able to help out.

 

[Roger Long]

If this boat does not have a roller furling headsail, which I wouldn't expect to find on a boat of that vintage, you should be sure to add one simple piece of gear. Going forward to deal with the headsail on a boat of this size without lifelines is one of the quickest ways to get in trouble if the wind comes up suddenly. It would also probably take a lot more boat handling skill and presence of mind than you probably have at your current experience level to retrieve a crew member who slipped off the foredeck.

Shackle a block to the bow fitting and run a line attached to the jib halyard shackle through the block and back to a handy cleat in the cockpit. You can then not only pull the jib down, making this line fast and cleating a sheet tight will keep it under control enough to let you deal with other things. It will flutter in strong winds but it won't endanger the boat and you can lash it tight or remove it in the harbor where it won't be a life threatening exercise. It's actually harder to deal with the jib on a boat this size than on a boat twice the size.

Roller reefing headsail gear would be one of the best upgrades you could make on a boat like this.

 

[jfrancis100]

I wanted to thank everyone for their responses, I found it very helpful.

I decided to purchase the 1969 O'Day Tempest. Currently getting it ready and looking forward to sailing her.

Thanks again!

joe

 

[CarlN]

The Tempest is a great boat for Buzzards Bay. A few things you should watch:

This boat has almost no bridge deck between the cockpit and cabin. Never, never go out without putting at least one of the hatch boards in place. Without it, one good wave into the cockpit could sink you in seconds. With the board in, there's no problem as the cockpit drains.

The mast is pretty lightly stayed. If I remember correctly, many owners rigged an extra forward stay from the spreaders - either two "forward lowers" or a singe "jack stay" to the front edge of the cabin. This can keep the mast from bending out of column at the spreaders and breaking. Your boat may already have this modification.

Oday built simple strong boats but this is an old boat. Things that come to mind is to replace all stays, look hard at the chain plates, and take the rudder off and inspect the post.

A big area of concern is rotted wood. I think the cockpit floor and deck both have wood cores. There's a good chance this has rotted or at least has water in it. Sometimes you can tell because it feels or sounds "squishy" when you step on it. A sure way is to drill a 3/16" hole and see if the drill comes out wet (plug the hole with some epoxy putty). Don't panic if you run into water but the fix can take a lot of time. A good source of repair ideas is the Rot Doctor ( http://www.rotdoctor.com/glass/GLrotrepair.html )

But it's worth it - a great boat!


Carl

 

[CarlN]

Oh yes. Once you have her pretty well fixed up take her out into a few good Buzzards Bay southwest afternoons and go to windward. After you fix anything that breaks, she's set for the Vineyard, Nantucket or even downeast to Maine. Just keep that hatch board in!

Carl

 

[sailingdog]

Adding a bridge deck to the boat isn't that big a project... I added one to my boat two seasons ago.

 

[BobM]

I have always liked these classic old O'days. Fixed up they are very pretty and seaworthy boats.

 

[jfrancis100]

She's in the water!

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to again thank everyone for their advice, we launched her yesterday, hopefully we'll have her rigged for my first sail on her in the next week or so.

Here is a picture my wife took while we were about to launch her:

 

[RECESS]

Very sharp looking boat. I never realized the keel that a Tempest has. That looks awesome!

I just got back from the lake on Memorial Day weekend, what a travis shamockery with a gazzillion power boats and jet skies. We motored but never raised a sail, it was just crazy with people. On Tuesday the sailboats will be lonely on the lake again.