Thanks to you both for answering my article. Sorry if I didn't reply earlier, I was too busy at work. LOVE IT TOO! Charlie, I was more than delighted to read your reply. It hoisted the corners of my mouth, and they're up ever since. I was not that much worried about its seaworthiness or behavior, considering the heart-breaking face the previous owner had on when we towed the boat away, but your enthusiastic description still brought me a enormous relief. I have not been able to sail the boat before hauling it out of the water, which also explains the overwhelming effect your letter had on me. I don't want to miss the pleasure of discovering the boat by myself, but you tickled my curiosity on certain aspects… You say that the boat is a great performer, does that mean it reaches well? Does it surf a little bit? And about the young extra gorilla needed for stiff breezes, does it mean the boat heel a lot? Should I have reefs installed in the main? You also talk about 'trips': were you sleeping on board or aground? Were your wife and you able to put up the mast by yourselves? Feel free to answer. With what you've said, I'm already a very happy man. Thanks again. Winter will be shorter. 19 IT IS! Justin, If you read the above, you know the answer to your question. Since you seem to be the wizard of this site or, at least, to know very well O'day boats, I have a few questions for you. Feel free to answer. 1) Is the owner manual still available? 2) The backstay was not properly installed by the previous owner. It was attached only on the port side. It looks like if it has to be in a Y shape. If that is the case, can I install a hoist? (I'm not sure if 'hoist' is the proper English term. What I mean is a device to bring the mast back in close reach) 3) Can the keel be removed easily to refinish it? 4) Is there a way to install a permanent (and manual) bilge pump? 5) The boat is in perfect shape except for some transoms under the wooden floor. They were wrapped in a single layer of fiberglass. I thought that I could replace them and simply glue them to the bottom instead of wrapping them in fiberglass. What do you think? 6) If you look at the picture of my boat that shows its cockpit, you will see that there is a beam, not permanently installed, that goes around the keel trunk. I didn't have the chance to ask the previous owner why it was there. Could it mean that the trunk is weak? Are they generally on this model? Thank you!