O'Day 25 curiosity

[CCrane2299]

While at the marina this weekend, I came across an abandoned O'Day 25. Its a 1979 model and the marina wants it sold...cheap. I walked all over it and it seems solid. It has a few gallons of water inside, but its been sitting unused for over a year. All rigging looks to be serviceable and complete, sails look ok. A lot of cleaning and a little woodwork inside would make it a nice boat. I could ask on an O'Day board but they would obviously be slanted...but you guys, I can trust. I can buy it cheap. Are they good boats? Will I be happy sailing it as compared to the 22? It has lots of nice things like life lines, an anchor locker running water etc. No motor but I could put my 8 on it and my 2.5 back on the 22. My plan would be, buy it, fix on it a little and sell my least favorite. It would be way more comfortable for camping in which is one of my favorite things to do on the boat. I couldn't tell what keel it has...I didn't see any kind of winch but it has a hump in the floor much like the 22 does in near the volcano. I also didn't see where a keel was bolted through the floor. I would lose the trailer sailor part if I sold the 22 but honestly I hate stepping the mast so either will likely stay in the water. I (obviously) know nothing about these boats. Any advice would be helpful.

 

[Okiesaylor]

O'day sounds Irish. NEVER trust the Irish!

 

[CCrane2299]

St. Paddy's day is coming up...

 

[Stu Jackson]

Nice boasts. You will love it, because it may be the last time in your life you buy the next size boat up and double or triple your useable area!!!

We went from a C22 to a C25, and have sailed an O'Day 25. IIRC they didn't have a quarterberth with the galley going from size to side. Simple solid rigs and systems. Sailed great in the light air of Victoria BC harbor.

Go for it. Good luck.

 

[CCrane2299]

That's a strong endorsement. Thanks. I really like my boat but I woke up with the six foot man in a less than six foot berth syndrome this morning.

 

[patn44]

If there is wood that has gotten wet (and stayed wet) you will have to replace it. The teak below decks will delaminate due to the moisture.

 

[c22sailor]

I owned and sailed an O'Day 25 a number of years ago. It was a great boat for us. I really liked the headroom for a 25' boat. The boat has a shoal keel with a pocket in it that a fiberglass centerboard fits in. The board has very little weight. It is raised and lowered by a line that is run into the cockpit; no need for a winch. We sailed in saltwater, and the board can get stuck in the "up" position in its pocket because of marine growth. I used to try and be careful not to pull it up too hard because of that. Sailing downwind, the board is up to be more efficient. Going to weather, the board is dropped to help with pointing. At the time, we actually moved from a Catalina 22 to the O'Day because we moved from a lake to the ocean. IMHO, it really depends upon what type of sailing you do. If you are just going to leave the boat in a slip all the time, the O'Day would give you much more comfort and capacity for others to sail with you. If you are looking for a performance boat, the O'Day is not a great performer but is very comfortable to sail.

 

[CCrane2299]

Thanks, that was very helpful. Performance is not as important as just plain fun to sail. I like the 22 because it is fun and "feels" fast. Comfort is a real concern because I have a stiff neck and really can't even sit up straight in the 22. I would rate comfortable slightly ahead of fast.

I called the marina this morning and talked to the guy that runs things. Turns out the boat was owned by his uncle so he has decent amount of info on it. Its looking like a go so far... He said for $150 they'd pull it and let me look at the bottom, maybe I could do a pressure wash while its out.

 

[azguy]

While not an Oday, I stepped into a C25 yesterday and compared to my C22 it felt like an ocean going yacht. The difference in room, size, weight OMG, like night and day.

I sort off kick myself some times to have not gone larger......but as a single handed sailor nearly 100% of the time and being brand new sailor as of last December I wanted to start cautiously....

 

[Ward H]

CCrane,
I am partial as I have a 1980 O'day 25. If there is any difference between the 79 and 80 it will be in the galley layout and probably the steps into the cabin.
C22 Sailor explained the centerboard pretty well. It weighs about 60 lbs and is all fiberglass. Earlier years used a winch in the cabin but my 80 has a rope pendant lead to the cockpit and has a horn cleat to tie it off. Easy to lower and raise. When raising mine I just pump it up and down a bit to clean off debris.
You say it has a couple of gallons of water in it. Is that on the cabin sole or in the bilge?
There should be a lift out panel to expose the shallow bilge. The bulkheads do not extend down into the bilge so even with water in the bilge, they should be dry or at least not soaked. The compression post may be in water. Poke the wood with a small screwdriver. It is firm you are good to go.
I have taken about 7 gallons of water out of my bilge without it being high enough to soak into the post or bulkheads.
If the water is above the bilge there is more of a possibility of bulkhead damage. Even so, replacement is pretty easy to do from what I have read. Mine show water stains but are still solid.
The bigger issue would be a wet deck or leaking chainplates.
The port settee is 6' long if not more plus there is a port quarter birth which gives you more length.
I have slept on the starboard settee and I am 6'. A different galley arrangement may use some of that space.
Your 8hp will push it just fine.
You will love the extra cabin space after being on a 22. I looked at a 23 and was amazed at the size difference of the 25.

I find the 25 easy to sail, even in winds approaching 20. I do reef the main at around 12 to 15 and furl the jib as needed. I had a 135 on it last year but spent most of the time with it furled so I am switching to the 110 that also came with the boat.

One thing to plan on is to fix the anchor locker drain line, which is prone to leaking (easy fix) and change out the through hull for the galley sink if it is a gatevalve. That would be original. Mine was frozen shut, or at least I thought it was. When I took it off it was frozen open.

The only downside I found was the high freeboard. It makes it a bit more tricky to come into the slip in higher winds. I put a V shaped bridle of line and one fender. This helps to catch me and keep me in the center of the slip as I come in.

Sounds like a great find and that is cheap for a short haul. I pay $175.

 

[CCrane2299]

Thanks Ward, thats good info. The bilge cover in the floor is off and to the side. If you step on the cover you can keep your feet dry in tennis shoes. I would estimate that it is above the bilge cover by an inch or so. It has a bilge pump, but the batteries are dead. The wood has been wet but it was some time ago and they appear solid.

 

[Ward H]

There are several threads in the O'day Owners section on replacing the bulkheads if needed. It looks like a relatively easy DIY project.
Here is what I liked about the 25:
Privacy door for the head. Ladies like the privacy.
Anchor locker
Alot of storage compartments.
Very simple mechanics. One thru hull underwater, one on the side for head sink.
Simple electrical system.
5' 10" headroom.
Easy sailing.

 

[CCrane2299]

Bummed, price somehow doubled. I think I was given an employees price and the owner did not care to extend it to me. I probably got the employee in the soup because it was mentioned that he claimed to have never given me a price.

 

[CCrane2299]

Spending the night on the 22 tonight. I bought the O'Day today. Got the outside cleaned up to "presentable". Got the inside dry and a dehumidifier running. It looks to be in very good shape. I'm gonna tackle the inside tomorrow. Taking the sails and cushions home. It looks like it has a lake water wash down pump in it. It has an electric water heater. Bulkheads are solid. Paid $1500 for it. Had to rent a slip with side access due to the rail around the rear. I have to stand on my toes to see over the companionway hatch, so it has decent head room. Looks like there will be a nice 22 for sale in Alabama. I think I'll miss it.

 

[CCrane2299]

Bittersweet weekend coming. I bought the Oday and put the 22 on craigslist. $2750. First guy that calls buys it. He is coming to pay me Sat morn at the marina. I think I'll spend the night on it Fri for one last time and start moving into the oday Sat morn. Funny how attached you can get to an old boat. Now, the process starts all over different problems and solutions. Much to learn and do. I think that is a big part of the fun. It's gonna rain this weekend, might stay on the new boat and look for leaks. I don't think I have many. I need to start making friends with the new boat, looks like we may be spending a lot of time together.

 

[DHaranSailor]

Congrats on the new boat and the upgrade!

 

[CCrane2299]

Thanks!

 

[ShotgunSlim]

Congratulations on the O'Day! I looked at a late '70's O'Day 23-2 when I was boat shopping and was very impressed with the roominess and head room but I had some serious qualms about the boat's condition so I passed it up. Best decision I made! I saw your boat on CraigsList the other morning and almost gave you a call to tell you to raise your price!! (I don't need 3 boats)