Look into purchasing O'Day 26

[JoelDoyle]

Hello O'Day owners and fellow sailors. I have been researching the O'Day 26 c/b as my next vessel. I am curious to hear any feedback from current owners in all areas of concern. My list of questions would probably max out the message so I will allow you to feel free to share any info you have. I would be primarily single handing and weekending with occasional handicap racing.Thank you for your time.JD

 

[Mike8088]

Great boat!

We recently purchased a 1984 O'Day 26-footer. We love it. It's not a real fast boat, but we aren't concerned with racing it. With the original jib, we've gotten her up to 6 knots. She sails very easily downwind, and is relatively stable in strong winds (15-25 mph) at all points of sail. The layout down below is well-designed and roomy. With about 5' 9" of headroom, it is surprising comfortable for it's size. The most headroom is above the galley, where you'd be probably be standing up the most. We have a Yanmar inboard diesel under the cockpit. Even with the engine, there is plenty of storage room down there. We've only had her since May, but have been very impressed with this boat. We plan on doing a lot of work on her this winter, mainly leading the lines aft and having the original mainsail reshaped and possibly installing a roller-reefer with a genoa. I hope this info has helped. Good luck.

 

[jeff s]

1985 ofday anniversary 26 ftr

I purchased a 1985 26 ftr about 4 /5 years ago and have been very happy with her. I would suggesst that you look into the port and starboard bulkheads for any signs of rot and water damage. The problem seems to be the chainplates allowing water to seep in. The real question is how long and just how have the bulkheads been compromised. The rigging could be a little beefier but have never felt as though I was going to have a problem. She handles well both upwind and down.The cabin is quite nice with plenty of space for w/ends and more.I have a small outboard on her [8/hp],the only disadvantage I see to that is raising and lowering the motor. I replaced the original bracket this year with an exact replacement,as I have found with most other parts I can still get exact replacements. It sure takes less time than filling in old holes and drilling new ones.I have been out in all types of weather and she handles well, I believe my main is original and the rollerfurling jib is 4/5 years old.The furler sure is nice .  Good luck!

 

[Joel Doyle]

Thank you so much for the feedback. This is great information! I have inspected the chain plates and the current and original owner has beefed them up quite substantialy. He added a 1/4" thick 6 x 8 inch aluminum backing plate to the saloon side of the bulkheads. It appears quite sound and I could see no evidence of wate stains in the teak veneer. The boat is in excellent shape throughout with no added deck hardware so I'm guessing that there has been no water migration into the deck core, unless of coarse there is an inheirent design flaw that might allow seepage. There are virtually no electronics on board so it's pretty much a dead stock boat from what I can tell. Sort of a blank canvas for me. Thanks again and keep it coming!JD

 

[jeff s]

1985 ofday anniversary 26 ftr

Hey Joel , it sounds like you are headed down the right path. One way to check for current water coming in thru the chainplates is to take flashlight after a good rain and look in the head sink cabinet all the way down on the floor.It really is not a bad fix or even as aprreventative measure. Look in the archives you will see that it has been done before. I would make sure that the bulkhead has not been compromised, look for signs of a product called gitrot around the backing plates. The bulkhead replacement looks to me like it could be rather time consuming. All things said I really like the boat and the way she handles, the space below and the cockpit is generous. The availability of parts [rudy at d@r marine]is aplus. He also has a lot of info stored in his head as he used to be their parts man bac in the day. Good Luck,Jeff