New Owners!

[Helen]

My brother Bill and I recently purchased a 1971 Oday 23' sailboat and I would appreciate any information on problems to look for or any specs on the boat. I am an "owner's manual" type of person but my brother is a learn as you go type so it would help me tremendously to have some type of documentation. The only papers we got with the boat was the title and I like diagrams and printed instructions to understand how things work (yes - it's a female thing about directions!). Any help would be appreciated by helen@rivnet.net. Thanks.

 

[Justin - O'day Owners' Web]

Congrats -

Congrats on your new boat!I don't have the owners' manual - a friend at a local boatyard promised me manuals and sails literature, but it never happened. You will, however, find that the people on the forum here can answer a lot of your questions and will know who to ask if they don't know.Look at http://members.kingston.net/morris/specs.html for some information from the literature, but its not going to satisfy.You might want to call Rudy Nickerson - his info is below - he may have a manual he can copy for you.Justin - O'day Owners' Web

 

[Larry Hughes]

New Owner

Congratulations on your O'Day23. It is truly a dreamboat. I bought a 1979 model about a year ago. Someone else was kind enough to mail me a copy of the manual and I would be glad to return the favor if you will give me your mailing address. I must say that it is not really extensive. A legal size sheet of paper with fine print but you should have it. My E-Mail address is LHughes7@erols.com.

 

[Mike]

The 23 is a nice boat

Congratulations! I think you will like the boat. I have a '79, and it has been everything I expected. A possible issue/problem to be on the lookout for:the centerboard. If you follow this site at all, you will see that the majority of posts concerning the 23 and the 25 deal with the centerboard sticking. I deal with it on my boat by not fully retracting the board (I marked the pennant line with nail polish with a warning mark). I also keep a 1/4" inch thick, four foot steel rod on board to push through the pennant line hole to free the board if it gets stuck. You can get a rod at the hardware store for about $2. It beats diving in the water or paying to have the boat hauled.Other 23 owners have complained about the pintles and gudgeons, but I haven't had a problem with mine. Also, with any boat that old, you will want to check the bedding of the deck fixtures and the coach windows. Also, despite her somewhat tender sailing nature, I have sailed my boat in 20+ knot winds, and she eventually hardened up. Good luck!

 

[Brian]

New Owners

"Sailing" Maganzine had a great used boat reviwe on the O'Day 23 in Octoper or November issue