Looking at 1983 34 footer. What to look out fo?

[Russ Duff]

Hi everyone. You probably get a lot of this, but here's some more.I am seriously looking at a 1983 34 footer that seems to be in great shapeand the price is right. Is there anything I should pay particular attentionto? About the only thing that concerns me is crazing on the side-decks andcabin top. The crazed area also seems delaminated from the core (hollowsound when tapping with a hammer). I have been told that this type ofcrazing is common for this age of O'Day and is only cosmetic; not astructural problem. What are your experiences with this? Any othercomments? Another concern is there are stress cracks in the gel-coat around where themast passes through the cabin-top, and the cabin top seems slightly dishedin around the mast. This seems odd since this boat has a keel stepped mast.What are your thoughts on this?Any comments are appreciated. We really like this boat but want to makesure we aren't overlooking any possible current or future problems.

 

[Tom Akin]

Core problems are comming!

I got a O'day 25 with the same sound. Check for softness where there is delamination. This boat is old enough that you could have rot in the core. Check all the places the deck is peirced. The sealants are old enough to be failing. I'm doing my deck this year instead of sailing. 5 feet eigher side of the cabin must be replaced. Major job. It all depends on the price, count on many thousands to have this job done for you. You'll need to paint the deck, the crazing will be cracks in a few years as water gets into the cracks, opens them up, and distroys the laminate. All the fittings probably should be rebeded. So, if the boat is cheap enough, say $7k to $9 K it probably is worth it if you do the work yourself. Big job. A serveyor should look at this if you arn't sure what you're looking at, a second opinion on a purchase this big is worth the $$.

 

[Michael O']

Get a survey!!!

We just purchased our 1983 O'Day 34, and in fact we're leaving tonight to fly out for our first weekend aboard. (San Francisco) The price you're paying for this boat, even if it's "cheap", is enough to justify a survey. Our survey cost $514 plus $270 for the haul, and it was CHEAP insurance. The boat is pristine......but still 20 years old! The surveyor found two minor items of quick repair, no crazing, no delamination, etc., and told us it was "a 20-year-old boat in a 3-year-old skin".That being said, we're happy and you should be, too! Will you still be happy if, after purchase, you find that the repairs will cost 1/3 to 1/2 the price of the boat?!?Other than what may be serious trouble with core problems, check the mast butt - although the O'Day 34 mast is raised out of the bilge, it can still show a significant amount of corrosion. Get estimates for any and all repairs. Get a survey.Get a survey.Get a survey.Okay, that's enough..........Good luck with you're potential purchase! And let us know how it works out! (And join the O'Day 34 & 35 owners forum on Yahoo!)Michael O'"Frigate"

 

[Dave]

dished deck around mast

I agree with the other writers. The cabin top is cored with balsa and it rots badly if exposed to water. Just a simple screw leaking can cause huge areas of rotted core all around it. Regarding the cabin top near the mast...no idea what could cause that, I don't see it on my 35. I'm wondering if a yard was stepping the mast and dropped it on the deck (missed the hole)? There are wedges that go between the mast and the hole in the deck to support the mast, make sure they are all in place.Definitely get a survey, this could be a big deal dave

 

[Dave Mauney]

Depressed Deck

There is a hold down turn buckle link on the forward side of the mast just below the deck. It is used to hold the mast collar down when blocks are used on the mast collar for halyards and such. That could be too tight and be depressing the deck. Lossening the turnbuckel and see if the deck rises would tell you if it permamently set or not.Good WindsDaves/v DAMWEGAS