O'day 25 Purchase Question

Shoaldrafter · Oct 9, 2011

big river

Bigriver said:
Hello All!

I'm new to sailing and I've found a 1982 O'day 25 swing keel for sale somewhat close to me. I haven't seen the boat in person yet, but the owner has sent pics. I'm trying to get educated on the boat before I go review it. There are a few things that look odd to me:

The boat has a Yanmar diesel inboard. Was this an option for a '82?

Also, I can see in the pic that the prop isn't a typical saildrive... this one has a slant shaft and a simple prop. Could this be an afterthought? Is it ok if it is an add-on and do seals present a problem?

Are inboard diesels even desirable, or is a 4 stroke outboard a better fit?

This boat has Edson wheel steering. Again, was this an option in '82, or is it likely to have been an add on?

Regarding the wheel steering; is this considered a good thing on this model? It seems like it would get in the way on the tight cock pit area.

I'm really open to any comments. I'm pretty ignorant and I want to make a good decision with this purchase.

Thanks in advance!

Big River,

I cannot tell you if the edson wheel was factory option but I can tell you that on the O26 the cockpit floor was reinforced at the factory to anticipate wheel installation.

You did not tell us where you are located.

Ed K
O26

Noel · Oct 9, 2011

I bought mine new as an outboard model. Then O'day offered an inboard model with a Westerbeke 7hp single cylinder 2 cycle gasoline engine - the Westerbeke "VIRE' which I later installed I think your boat has been customized but it looks like they did a good job. My boat had a tiller which offered more room in the cockpit and a very responsive helm. I loved the boat. Frank

Noel · Oct 9, 2011

Also, I snapped two rudders because the rudder extends about 4" below the keel with the board up so be careful in shallow water. I re-designed the pintels and gudgeon so I could slide the rudder vertically about 10 inches.

Noel · Oct 9, 2011

Oh, and the boat was horrible with an outboard. It would cavitate even in moderate seas.

cb32863 · Oct 9, 2011

Where are you located? How much are they asking? Heck if you don't want it, I could be interested.....

OdayDave · Oct 9, 2011

I like the diesel

Bigriver said:
Thanks for the input.

I'm a little concerned about the mods made, and I'll have to see them in person. It seems like the wheel steering would really help single handing the boat. And, considering I love to fish, the diesel might be ok too for trolling.

Will the prop make much of a real difference under sail power... that is to say, will it slow the boat down significantly due to resistance in the water? I've seen these cool looking fold up props that go streamline while under sail power, but are they worth it?

I'm expecting the under cockpit area to be a little tight with auxillary stuff. This owner also mentioned that they have an AC unit for when docked. I suppose that will reside in the under cockpit too. Frank, with all that being said... wheel steering, diesel, AC etc... the under cockpit will be full. Did you ever really find that area useful as a berth, or will this arangement actually be good use of the space considering?

A BIG thanks for the help and discussion!

Mike

Mike -

I bought an O'Day 25 (1983) with an inboard last year and have been happy with it thus far. The initial owner (I bought it from the second owner) had installed wheel steering but it had been removed before I bought it. There is now an inspection port over where the hole was in the floor. It would certainly take up some space in the cockpit but had it been there, I probably would have tried it for a season before removing it. Concerning the diesel, it was an option that few bought. My diesel is a Yanmar 1GM1 (6.5 hp) and I do like it. It shows very few hours on it (175 when I bought it, and the engine does look very clean).

On the plus side: With a 10 gal. tank, you have roughly 30 hours of cruising time on a tank; you don't have the cavitation problem that you have in waves with an outboard; you have an alternator to charge battery banks (although that can be added to an outboard); it's a little quieter than an outboard; no need to raise the outboard on the bracket every time you lower the motor.

On the minus side: It does take up room below although moving up from an O'Day 222, I still gained storage; you get some water in the bilge since you get some natural dripping through the stuffing box; there are maintenance issues that are more costly if you are not a handy do-it-yourselfer (I can change oil but don't want to wade into the winterizing system so I pay to have the engine winterized); probably a bit heavier boat with the motor; should you lose your rudder, you have no steerage unlike an outboard which can give you some minimal steerage capabilities in an emergency. I'm sure there are other issues but those are the one's that come to mind. Overall, I'm happy with the step-up to the diesel model since I sail on Lake Michigan and cavitation was occasionally a problem with the outboard on the smaller boat. I can't say how much speed you lose with the prop in the water, but you can obviously reduce that if its an issue by switching to a folding prop. Do check it carefully for water intrusion problems in the bulkhead and on the deck under the mast. Both problems can be fixed but they are time consuming. It does look clean and well maintained by the pictures. How much is the owner asking? Mine was just under $6500 last year.

Good luck,

Dave
s/v Lagniappe
O'Day 25

ebsail · Oct 9, 2011

1. Nothing wrong with having a diesel. It will take up some storage space
2. Yes the prop will cause some drag, about 1/2 a knot reduction in speed. You can buy a folding prop for about $500 They are not cheap.
3 Inboard diesel will power better in rough seas but I prefer (most people don't) the extra long shaft outboard with alternator for its simplicity and lower maintenance. It also gives you a dry bilge, as there is no propshaft penetrating the hull dripping water.
4. Look at the cushions very carefully, they cost $3000 to replace. Two new curtians will be $200 or more. Cosmetics are more expensive to fix than mechanical problems
5. Examine the plywood bulkhead where the mast support wires (shrouds) come through the deck for any water stains or rot. It's expensive to replace this area.
6. A steering wheel, I think, is an over complication for a 25 foot boat and the tiller is simpler and better.
7. I currently own an O'day 25 (tiller and outboard) and it's a lot of fun and easy to maintain. I've previously owned 7 other boats up to 43' and believe me when I say simpler boats get used more, since upkeep is easier, cheaper and less things break during the sailing season. All these opinions are only mine. Others will differ

OdayDave · Oct 10, 2011

Mike -

The previous owner on my boat had slip covers made of the cushions to update the look. And while they need to be redone, the cost will be a lot less than $3k if you are comfortable doing them yourself. While I am not, my newly graduated daughter offered to make new ones so I'll take her up on that. I'm sure it will look fine even if it's not like factory new. If money is no object and your time is valuable, have it done professionally. If money is an issue (which it probably is since you are in the used boat market), then you can tackle even big projects on your own. Almost anything can be fixed on a well maintained (and even not so well maintained) older fiberglass boat if you are not afraid to dive into the project. I had a few leaks and a deck core that needed to be replaced. I leaned on the collective expertise of this site and got through it. It's a process and eventually the boat will look great. Right now my boat just looks good but sailing it this season was more important that working through all the cosmetics. I'll get to the cosmetic jobs over the next few years. As an aside, the two pictures you posted of this boat did suggest that it has been well cared for, at least by this owner. I hope you can come to terms with the owner.

Dave
s/v Lagniappe
O'Day 25

BruceC · Oct 10, 2011

Yes, the Yanmar diesel (probably a 1GM10) was an expensive option in the O'Day 25. The prop shaft and prop arrangement shown in photo you provided is not an afterthought, but the preferred original factory installation; cetainly preferred over the saildrive version. There is nothing "odd" in photos with respect to either prop shaft or the installation of the transom mounted rudder control for the Edson pedestal steering. While you do not see the control rod with keel hung rudders, there is no other manner in which to install for the transom hung rudder. While you do not see many 25' sailboats with wheel steering, this was quite possibly an option. Tiller steering does provide more room in cockpit when you are not sailing as you raise tiller to vertical position. However, many prefer wheel steering to long stints at the helm. There is absolutely no reason to go to expense (and potential problems) of folding prop; it is unlikely you are going to be racing the boat and any drag will prove to be insignificant. Bottom line, you are cleaerly better off with a Yanmar diesel than any 4-stroke outboard, but hire a good marine surveyor prior to purchase! Does current owner have service records; was engine ever rebuilt. Do not be overly concerned with age as a well maintained diesel will last longer than a new outboard. You also mentioned owner has an AC unit for the boat and expressed concern with taking up storage space. The AC unit is undoubtedly portable that is placed in opening for sliding hatch on coachroof. When not in use, I suspect you could store unit in port quarterberth or V-berth (better yet, unles you plan to spend many hot summer evenings aboard, sell it on eBay and install a solar powered cabin fan). As someone else mentioned, in addition to condition of the Yanmar diesel (simple exterior appearance can say a lot about care of an engine!) ou want to pay particular attention tro condition of bulkhead where bolts secure chainplates for shrouds. Leaking chainplates were a problem on aged O'Days and water stained bulkheads should provide further inspection by professional. GOOD LUCK! By the way, Rudy Nickerson at D&R Marine (check website) should be able to advise you if Edson wheel steering was an option on the O'Day 25.

gabriel.donnelly · Oct 11, 2011

Did you buy it?!?
=)
-g

Indysailor · Oct 15, 2011

Bigriver said:
I took a look at the boat and we sailed it a bit. I decided against buying it. The boat is in fair condition overall, and appears to have good bones. However, it would be a pretty good project overall. I was a little concerned about a series of circular cracks in the cabin roof directly under the mast. While there were no signs of leakage, it did make me pause. The owner was very good to deal with an transparant in all aspects. Good guy. The owner was asking $7000 firm. If he would have taken less, I might have moved on it.

I checked out the towing weight, including the trailer, and while my F150 with towing pkg would do it ok, I don't really want to take on that big of a load very often.

I'm now looking at an O'day 240. I can't find full towing weight on it... just displacement. Does anyone have any thoughts on the 240. I prefer it's interior to the 25 (just an opinion).

Mike

Don't own a 240, but if one had been available when I was looking I would have seriously considered it. Open cabin plan, a galley that doesn't have to be pulled out on a drawer, with a real enclosed head is a nice upgrade from the 23, as well as a quarter berth (on the 23 there is just a huge, inaccessible void under the cockpit). Wing keel, as well. To me it looks like a very nice boat. The one strange thing is the way the motor is mounted- some people have switched it to the other side and use the opening as a convenient ladder access.
I think it's in the 31-3300 pound neighborhood.

Sunbird22358 · Oct 15, 2011

Displacement would be the same as trailering weight, more or less. If the figure that you saw was "Sailing Displacement" then that would usually include 4 people @ 165# ea. Trailering weight would be Sailing displacement minus approx. 660#. However.... manufacturer's listed "Trailering" weight is often a bit underestimated since we all tend to load our boats up with more gear than might have been figured into that published figure!

PS: The wheel on that 25 was definitely added later, it appears to be an EDSON RLA (Remote Linear Actuator) System and those were introduced in around 1986 or 1987 by EDSON. They were sold as an aftermarket upgrade for boats in the 20' to 30' range by Edson, interestingly enough Edson actually developed the RLA to answer the request from O'DAY for an easy to install wheel system to be installed in the 272 LE. Also used by PEARSON for their PEARSON 27 that was very similar to the 272.

emergpa1 · Nov 3, 2011

Bigriver said:
I settled on an Oday 240. Bought it last week! It's a 1988 model and appears to be in good condition. It came with an electric start 8hp yamaha 4 stroke long shaft outboard with high output alternator. It came with a trailer of sorts... It's a modified hd tandem axle utility trailer, which I kinda liked the idea of initially due to dual use capability.

I have some pix of a 240 I took at my club. A strange but good looking craft.

O'day 25 Purchase Question

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