Oday 25 questions

[Bob23]

Hi to all:
I'm new to this forum, being a Compac owner. I'm interested in buying an O'day 25. I saw one at the marina the other day and while sailing, saw another one. They look great and have a bigger interior than my Compac 23.
My question is: Does anyone out there in O'day-land have any feedback about how the 25 sails in camparison to a Compac 23? The O'day 25 I'm looking at has a shoal keel/ centerboard. Thanks in advance for any help.
Bob23777

 

[Joe11688]

Years ago, I sailed an older O'Day 25 up from the Cape and it sailed like a dream in spite of the fact that the centerboard on this boat was stuck up inside the keel. It still sailed great. I've never sailed a Compact 23 so I can't speak on that. This particular OD 25 was a 1975 and it had a winch with a metal cable mounted on the table pedestal down below for operating the centerboard. The later models built in the mid to late 1980's have a braid pendant line that comes up in front of the companionway in the cockpit for the centerboard, much like the set up on my 1986 O'Day 222. This would be more to my preference in an O'Day 25 if I was in the market for one. That isn't to say that the older O'Days with the other set up is inferior, but it would be a matter of preference for me as a "Geezer" who is not keen on climbing down below to raise or lower the board each time. Outside of that, the O'Day 25's are great cruising sailboats and decent sailers.

 

[Timm R 25 Oday]

A fine boat

Years ago, I sailed an older O'Day 25 up from the Cape and it sailed like a dream in spite of the fact that the centerboard on this boat was stuck up inside the keel. It still sailed great. I've never sailed a Compact 23 so I can't speak on that. This particular OD 25 was a 1975 and it had a winch with a metal cable mounted on the table pedestal down below for operating the centerboard. The later models built in the mid to late 1980's have a braid pendant line that comes up in front of the companionway in the cockpit for the centerboard, much like the set up on my 1986 O'Day 222. This would be more to my preference in an O'Day 25 if I was in the market for one. That isn't to say that the older O'Days with the other set up is inferior, but it would be a matter of preference for me as a "Geezer" who is not keen on climbing down below to raise or lower the board each time. Outside of that, the O'Day 25's are great cruising sailboats and decent sailers.

I bought a 1981 25 Oday as a stepping stone 5 years ago. For sailing on Lake Michigan
it's proven itself very competant. I love the fact the mainsheet is directly in front of you.
The centerboard being down does help ,especially when tacking. It tends to plow through waves ,rather than bounce over them.
Storage is very good. The key parts to look for are transom and bulkheads .
We slide out the port settee and sleep two there.
Good Old Boat is reviewing it in this months edition.

 

[Shoaldrafter]

Reply to Bob23777

Bob23777,

You might also post your question on the "O'Day Owners" forum, there is more activity on that page...

Ed K
26

Hi to all:
I'm new to this forum, being a Compac owner. I'm interested in buying an O'day 25. I saw one at the marina the other day and while sailing, saw another one. They look great and have a bigger interior than my Compac 23.
My question is: Does anyone out there in O'day-land have any feedback about how the 25 sails in camparison to a Compac 23? The O'day 25 I'm looking at has a shoal keel/ centerboard. Thanks in advance for any help.
Bob23777

 

[Joe11688]

The only problem that I would have with the O'Day 25 is the excessive free board on these boats. You almost need a ladder or stair to get on and off them at the dock. I noticed that the newer Mac 26's are this way too. It's pretty tough on a single hander to dock these boats.