Looking at a 1978 O'Day 27' freshwater only boat

[Mitch Brown]

I've been racing crew for the last 18 years. I've never owned my own boat outright (helped a buddy out with a 1/3 "ownership" - he did everything, I just bought a bunk for long-distance races). I'd like to BE handy, but if pressed, have to admit I'm not.
The boat I'm looking has been on the hard for 2+ years. The owners donated it to a 501(c)3 organization that works with boating related charities in my city. Its staffed by volunteers. I know the yacht yard they work out of (and a couple of employees of said yacht yard).

This is the boat in a nutshell (BUT, remember, its been on jack stands for 2+ years, and not looked after much since being hauled) - tell me what you think.

ENGINE:
Yanmar YSM8 8hp Diesel Inboard

MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT & ENGINE DETAILS
• Fresh water closed engine cooling system
• Engine fuel shutoff valve
• Electric fuel pump
• New fuel tank and fittings (2013)
• New fuel filter (2013)
• New fuel injector (2014)
• 2 blade folding prop (new in 2011)
• Manual bilge pump
• Automatic electric bilge pump
• Marine head with holding tank
• Tiller steering

TANKS
Fresh Water Tanks: (20 Gallons)
Fuel Tanks: (12 Gallons)

SAILS & RIGGING
• 1 Mainsail with Dutchman (new in 2013)
• 1 Jib (new in 2010)
• Selden roller furler (new in 2008)
• New mast and shrouds in 2012
• New spreader lights, mast light and masthead light in 2012
• New winch, pullies, and rope clutch for raising mainsail from cockpit (2008)
• New U-bolt, pullies and line to replace main sheet (2008)
•

ELECTRONICS/INSTRUMENTS
• Ritchie 4" compass
• Motorola Modar VHF radio
• Stereo system (not working)
• EMS knotmeter/log (not working)
•

ELECTRICAL
• 2 batteries (new in 2013)
• alternator
• fuses
• circuit breakers

ACCOMMODATIONS
• Sleeps 5
• 6' headroom
• Dinette converts to sleeper
• Quarter berth to starboard
• port settee berth
• Double vee berth forward
• Marine head port
• 2 opening ports
• 1 dorade vent
• forward deck hatch
•

GALLEY
• Cold pressure water
• Ice box

DECK & HULL Equipment
• Gray nonskid deck
• International Nav Lights
• Anchor
• White cockpit cushions
• fenders (new in 2008)
• various other life jackets of mixed sizes with whistles
• Flares, horn

 

[JRT]

Sounds like it had some recent upkeep, especially if the sails are good. I've read the 8hp is considered barely adequate and most have been replaced with something larger or an outboard. There was a 27 at our marina for years, went cheep I think for around $2-$3k eventually. I passed it was too much of a mess and project when I looked at it closely. I'd love a slightly larger boat from my 25, especially cabin headroom and cockpit space.

 

[Jackdaw]

Sounds like it had some recent upkeep, especially if the sails are good. I've read the 8hp is considered barely adequate and most have been replaced with something larger or an outboard. There was a 27 at our marina for years, went cheep I think for around $2-$3k eventually. I passed it was too much of a mess and project when I looked at it closely. I'd love a slightly larger boat from my 25, especially cabin headroom and cockpit space.

Hmm, a boat that size and weight, I'd take a chainsaw to it before I powered it with an OB. 8HP is light but probably OK; its turning a big prop and has lots of torque. Plus once you had a boat with a IB diesel you'll never go back. If that Nagasaki knocker is in decent shape you'll be fine there.

 

[Apex]

I have the same engine in an O'Day 28. Works fine, and the Yanmar pushes her along at 5-6kts. Looks like a LOT of recent work including mast and engine (or fuel system at very least) work. Why donate after all the effort? Worth a serious look, but cautious. oh, you don't want a folding prop, I can swap for a fixed 2 blade :"wink:

 

[JRT]

Ya my comment was against the 27 I looked at, they put an outboard on it. This appears to be pretty common on our lake with the old boats. I passed on it as it just looked messed up and difficult to control. I read a bunch on 27 that I could find and realized my deal really wasn't a deal I wanted.

 

[Justin_NSA]

Reads like is has potential. If you aren't handy you should learn to be. Boat ownership can get expensive otherwise. Good luck!

 

[Tally Ho]

Any idea about the mast replacement in 2012?

Are you going to sail it on Lake Michigan?

Greg

 

[Rick D]

I had one. Very nice boat and easy to update. Mine had the 8HP Yanmar. Did five knots open ocean. It was REALLY nice having the inboard. Brought the halyards back, added a vang and backstay adjuster, 150 genoa and bigger mainsail (long outhaul makes for more room.)

 

[Tally Ho]

I assume the boat is “Endurance”. Have you been out to Crowley’s to inspect her?

I note in the photos that she does not have self tailing winches, but other than that, the photos look pretty good (not sure how old the photos are).

She appears to have a fixed keel, but I can’t see enough detail to see if there is any keel joint issues. No worries about a centerboard pin or cable to worry about.

Engine looks pretty clean (again, not sure how old they are).

A big thing to check is for wet core in the cabin top. Any ‘70’s built boat should really be checked over for wet core and damage. The photos look good, but sounding the cabin top would be prudent.

Greg

 

[JimInPB]

On an O'day of that vintage, the first thing that I would look for is soft spots in the deck or hull, especially around the chain plates.

The next big wildcard is the motor. If it was properly winterized before being laid up & if it was properly stored, then you have a good chance of finding the motor in fairly good condition.

All the recent repairs & upgrades were worth something when they were done. If the boat was properly cared for, then some of that value may have been retained.

As for outboards on sailboats that size, I am not a fan of doing that, but I have seen it done in a way that works well. Some friends of mine have a Cherubini with an outboard that has power trim/tilt & remote controls near the tiller. This was done because it was said to be less expensive than fixing the failed inboard. If it were me, I would have found a way to fix the inboard, but the outboard set up they have does work as it needs to.

Bottom line - somebody knowledgeable needs to look at the boat for you to judge it's current condition. Ideally, you want to hire a marine surveyor to do that, but for the kind of money this boat is likely to sell for, the survey may cost more than the boat. This leaves you needing to ask yourself - how much you want to gamble?

 

[Mitch Brown]

Any idea about the mast replacement in 2012?

Are you going to sail it on Lake Michigan?

Greg

I am going to sail it on Lake Michigan. The boat was dis-masted in 2012 I believe. New rigging and and a new starboard bulkhead was put in with the remasting. I'm assuming the port and strbrd chainplates have also been upgraded.

 

[Mitch Brown]

On an O'day of that vintage, the first thing that I would look for is soft spots in the deck or hull, especially around the chain plates.

The next big wildcard is the motor. If it was properly winterized before being laid up & if it was properly stored, then you have a good chance of finding the motor in fairly good condition.

All the recent repairs & upgrades were worth something when they were done. If the boat was properly cared for, then some of that value may have been retained.

As for outboards on sailboats that size, I am not a fan of doing that, but I have seen it done in a way that works well. Some friends of mine have a Cherubini with an outboard that has power trim/tilt & remote controls near the tiller. This was done because it was said to be less expensive than fixing the failed inboard. If it were me, I would have found a way to fix the inboard, but the outboard set up they have does work as it needs to.

Bottom line - somebody knowledgeable needs to look at the boat for you to judge it's current condition. Ideally, you want to hire a marine surveyor to do that, but for the kind of money this boat is likely to sell for, the survey may cost more than the boat. This leaves you needing to ask yourself - how much you want to gamble?

A survey is going to cost me around $550. It includes the engine. That's a substantial percentage of the boat price, but, I figure I'll know exactly what I need to be aware of. I'm just not sure if its "worth" it. I think it is, but budgets are budgets.

 

[Mitch Brown]

I assume the boat is “Endurance”. Have you been out to Crowley’s to inspect her?

I note in the photos that she does not have self tailing winches, but other than that, the photos look pretty good (not sure how old the photos are).

She appears to have a fixed keel, but I can’t see enough detail to see if there is any keel joint issues. No worries about a centerboard pin or cable to worry about.

Engine looks pretty clean (again, not sure how old they are).

A big thing to check is for wet core in the cabin top. Any ‘70’s built boat should really be checked over for wet core and damage. The photos look good, but sounding the cabin top would be prudent.

Greg

That's her! She does look good. I've been watching hours and hours of YouTube videos on various boat projects. Sail Time is my recent favorite. I think I might be able to tackle core issues if they're not too extensive. I looked at Bee Gee at Crowley's and the deck was a trampoline. I have to get beyond the terror of taking a circular saw to the deck. I've done a little, and I stress a little, deck work. But, if I'm going to own a boat, this a cherry that needs popping.

I've been reading various books on surveying old boats and fiberglass boats. I know enough to be dangerous and hopefully enough to know when to call in the pro, and when to walk away in favor of the next boat. Its a learning curve. Steep, but fun.

 

[Mitch Brown]

Any idea about the mast replacement in 2012?

Are you going to sail it on Lake Michigan?

Greg

Are you near Hammond and Whiting? I'm looking forward to some cruises to the casino and that giant inflatable "water park"! How are the facilities down there? Casino got loose slots and happy blackjack dealers?

 

[Tally Ho]

Are you near Hammond and Whiting? I'm looking forward to some cruises to the casino and that giant inflatable "water park"! How are the facilities down there? Casino got loose slots and happy blackjack dealers?

I have an O’Day 322 at East Chicago marina. Hammond is probably a nicer marina with more amenities, but more expensive. We have the Ameristar boat just outside of our marina. Can’t say that I have wasted any $$ there.

I figure about $5,000 a year to own my boat. That covers the marina fee, winter storage, insurance, boat registration, etc. plus some $$ for maintenance projects. I generally do VC17 bottom paint every other year, oil change the alternate years, change a few lines each year (main halyard this year) so I don’t have to do everything at once. Changed all fuel filters this year, first time since I bought the boat about 4 years ago. A little bit of diesel and I am good for the season.

Good luck with your purchase decision.

Greg

 

[Mitch Brown]

I have an O’Day 322 at East Chicago marina. Hammond is probably a nicer marina with more amenities, but more expensive. We have the Ameristar boat just outside of our marina. Can’t say that I have wasted any $$ there.

I figure about $5,000 a year to own my boat. That covers the marina fee, winter storage, insurance, boat registration, etc. plus some $$ for maintenance projects. I generally do VC17 bottom paint every other year, oil change the alternate years, change a few lines each year (main halyard this year) so I don’t have to do everything at once. Changed all fuel filters this year, first time since I bought the boat about 4 years ago. A little bit of diesel and I am good for the season.

Good luck with your purchase decision.

Greg

I'm figuring around $4200 a year here in Chicago. Fingers crossed.