Oday 25 Bulkhead

[marius1165]

Hello...I'm a new member here and am considering purchasing an O'day 25. I currently own an Oday 22. I noticed that the bulkhead on the 25 has some dry rot at the bottom where it meets the floor of the cabin. The top of the bulkhead appears pretty solid. Does this occur from the chainplate leaking? I see no evidence at the top of the bulkhead - no stains or rot there.

Should I have the boat surveyed before buying?

I'm also curious to know how this boat, with a swing keel; would sail compared to my O'day 22 with a fixed shoal keel.

Thanks guys!

~ David

 

[HukilauMike]

If the top of the bulkhead is dry, the rot on the bottom of the bulkhead is likely due to another leak that made its way to the cabin sole. The bulkheads act as a dam for any interior leak in the fore part of the boat, making their undersides susceptible to getting and staying wet. Prime suspects for the source of the leaks: the ports, the stanchions, the anchor locker drain piping, or the towing u-bolt.

Should you have the boat surveyed? Depends on your confidence in your ability to find any defects yourself. I would.

And the 25 will point higher than the old shoal draft-no centerboard 22's (later Oday 22's had a centerboard). The 25 is still a tender boat, but not as much so as the 22; I think you will also notice how much more stable and solid it is than the 22. Its only 3 feet longer, but the extra length and weight make a noticeable difference.

 

[marius1165]

Thanks for the feedback! I may go back and take another look at her. I noticed some use of caulk around the ports on one side...maybe that is where the water came from. My '22 has been good to me so far - I may give her a couple more years!

 

[Shoaldrafter]

25

Thanks for the feedback! I may go back and take another look at her. I noticed some use of caulk around the ports on one side...maybe that is where the water came from. My '22 has been good to me so far - I may give her a couple more years!

--------------------------- // ------------------------------------------
Any 25 that you are looking at is an old boat. Old boats have issues. If you only have deterioration around bottom of main bulkhead, that is first very common and has a multitude of causes. These could be leaving port open in rain, deck and toe rail leaks, chainplate leaks (but these are usually associated with rot adjacent to chain plate attached to bulkhead), and would you believe from wet bathing suits and towels just left on floor.

The bottom part of the bulkhead is not the most critical area and can be repaired with glycol treatment and penetrating epoxy.

Good luck,

Ed K
26