My wife and I have wanted a sail boat for years, this year seemed like the right time with kids now 11 and 13. I started looking seriously a month ago and found mostly trashed boats or twice our budget.
This weekend we found a 76 O'Day 25 local to check out. Unfortunately it was terrible, not used in 2-3 years, rot in all the usual places, and an owner who really just didn't take care of her. The good part was we liked the size and layout, so I added O'Day to my searches.
Then Sunday night I checked new listings and there it was another O'Day 25, it was even in the marina I had decided was the one I would put our future boat in. Pictures looked promising, but so had the others. Price was good but there had to be something wrong with it. Our experience showed boats look better in photos then in real life
Owner was a great southern gentleman and straight told me his issues and listened to my needs. At the end I felt this was promising and worth another 1hr drive. Monday was my best option with the week ahead so we loaded up after work and headed out to check her out.
Owner was great and arranged for us to check her out on our own, time. The main issue he noted was a leaking knot meter transducer in the bow. I did note the compression spar was black at the bottom, about 3/4", but still reasonably firm. Port chain plate bulkhead was solid, starboard was a bit crushed at the top 2 bolts, but dry. Paint was still very good, a fresh polish will make her shine great. Sails are crisp, and neatly stored and careed for, vs is seeing others crumple up and not clean. Everything was as clean in person as the photos. Called the owner back that night and we aggreed on a price and will do a demo sail to check everything out in 2 weeks on the water.
I have a marina lined up for removing and patching the transducer hole and plan to address the wood myself. We are very excited but I want to make sure she sails as good as she looks for her age. Any thing to look out for would be appreciated.
This weekend we found a 76 O'Day 25 local to check out. Unfortunately it was terrible, not used in 2-3 years, rot in all the usual places, and an owner who really just didn't take care of her. The good part was we liked the size and layout, so I added O'Day to my searches.
Then Sunday night I checked new listings and there it was another O'Day 25, it was even in the marina I had decided was the one I would put our future boat in. Pictures looked promising, but so had the others. Price was good but there had to be something wrong with it. Our experience showed boats look better in photos then in real life
Owner was a great southern gentleman and straight told me his issues and listened to my needs. At the end I felt this was promising and worth another 1hr drive. Monday was my best option with the week ahead so we loaded up after work and headed out to check her out.
Owner was great and arranged for us to check her out on our own, time. The main issue he noted was a leaking knot meter transducer in the bow. I did note the compression spar was black at the bottom, about 3/4", but still reasonably firm. Port chain plate bulkhead was solid, starboard was a bit crushed at the top 2 bolts, but dry. Paint was still very good, a fresh polish will make her shine great. Sails are crisp, and neatly stored and careed for, vs is seeing others crumple up and not clean. Everything was as clean in person as the photos. Called the owner back that night and we aggreed on a price and will do a demo sail to check everything out in 2 weeks on the water.
I have a marina lined up for removing and patching the transducer hole and plan to address the wood myself. We are very excited but I want to make sure she sails as good as she looks for her age. Any thing to look out for would be appreciated.
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