Just bought an old 17' O'Day daysailer but I am a bluewater sailer with little knowledge on a daysailer. The boat is probably early to mid-70s (no paperwork) but the mast and sails are in good shape so are probably replacements. There are no slides for hanking on the main. Is a bolt rope the normal way of mounting the main on this boat? Thanks, Ragbagger43
Mainsail slides or not
- Thread starter Ragbagger43
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Either way
I've seen a couple Oday 17s, each rigged differently. If the bolt rope fits and the sail slides up the mast, use it and enjoy it.
I've seen a couple Oday 17s, each rigged differently. If the bolt rope fits and the sail slides up the mast, use it and enjoy it.
Not so sure
Unless there's a lot of freeway, I'd be leary of the bolt rope jamming up there. At least you know for sure that slides slide... down.
Unless there's a lot of freeway, I'd be leary of the bolt rope jamming up there. At least you know for sure that slides slide... down.
slides are retrofits
I have the original manual which shows the main with the bolt rope only. See the manual online at http://www.daysailer.org/tech_ds2man.php along with a site supporting daysailers
I have the original manual which shows the main with the bolt rope only. See the manual online at http://www.daysailer.org/tech_ds2man.php along with a site supporting daysailers
Bolt Ropes Should Work Just Fine
The bolt rope setup should work just fine. Back then that's what a lot of small boats used with the fairly new aluminum extruded masts. The one thing I'd say, and it applies to sails with either a bolt rope setup in the mast or slugs, is that after a while the bolt rope shrinks which will cause increased draft to be induced into the sail. Increased draft will result in the boat feeling "tender". Also, as dacron sails age from usage the draft will increase too so put the two together and you've got the recipie for a little white-knuckle sailing. Attached is a picture of our Falcon 15 (back when it was still fairly new), the predecessor to your Oday Day Sailer, at Block Island in the mid '60s. Launched her at Point Judith. The Day Sailers are great, fun boats with a cuddy to get out of the spray, a little space to store stuff, and easy to trailer and setup. These common sense designs seem to appear lost on some of todays boat designers but then I guess the market isn't there anymore either. Too small to be a pocket cruiser and to slow to be a racer. Seems today everybody wants a racing-type boat.
The bolt rope setup should work just fine. Back then that's what a lot of small boats used with the fairly new aluminum extruded masts. The one thing I'd say, and it applies to sails with either a bolt rope setup in the mast or slugs, is that after a while the bolt rope shrinks which will cause increased draft to be induced into the sail. Increased draft will result in the boat feeling "tender". Also, as dacron sails age from usage the draft will increase too so put the two together and you've got the recipie for a little white-knuckle sailing. Attached is a picture of our Falcon 15 (back when it was still fairly new), the predecessor to your Oday Day Sailer, at Block Island in the mid '60s. Launched her at Point Judith. The Day Sailers are great, fun boats with a cuddy to get out of the spray, a little space to store stuff, and easy to trailer and setup. These common sense designs seem to appear lost on some of todays boat designers but then I guess the market isn't there anymore either. Too small to be a pocket cruiser and to slow to be a racer. Seems today everybody wants a racing-type boat.
Okay, here's the picture
Geeze, got sidetracked and forgot to attach the picture! Okay, here it is...
Geeze, got sidetracked and forgot to attach the picture! Okay, here it is...
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