O'day 26 gelcoat cracks around Mast

[Rob Davis]

I am curently looking at an Oday 26 that is for sale and I am concerned about the stress cracks around the mast. I've seen boat with a couple (1 or 2) arounf the mast, but this one has a few more. If they are just cosmetic, fine, but I am concern if the deck is soft around the mast and that is how the stress cracks occured. Has anyone delt with this problem before?Rob

 

[Ben Allen]

Take A Look Down Below

Hi Rob,The 26 is a great boat, but you need to look at a couple of things. Take a screwdriver and tap with the handle part on the deck of the boat. If the deck is soft or delaminating, it will have a VERY different sound. Next, take a look below at the compression post. If the previous owner had a leak at the mast, water could have softened the post and let the deck settle a very small amount, causing the cracks. If this is the case, it is an easy fix to replace the post. While you are at it, check the chain plate attachments, most all boats are bad about leaking here. It only takes a couple of hours to dig out the old bedding and redoing it. After that fix, my boat has stayed bone dry, except when I leave the hatch open during a thunderstorm. If this turns out the be the boat for you, you will love it.Ben AllenMontgomery, AL"Latte Dah"O'Day 26

 

[Rob Davis]

compression post

Thanks for the response Ben. I've been looking at 25 and 26's and the 26 looks like the bigger and better boat. What is the compression post? Is this the piece of wood below the mast inside? I know the boat was leaking from the chainplates, but I do not think the damage is major. I am going there next week with a screw driver to check the wood on the bulkhead and tap the deck. There was also a crack by the bilge area just below the mast (if you were to follow the mast all the way down to the interior deck.) I do not know if this could be the same problem. If the deck is soft, could it be replaced if the prive is right? I'm just trying to figure out if it is worth it or not. ThanksRob

 

[Ben Allen]

Support From Post

That's right, the compression post is the vertical timber that goes from the cabin floor to the roof, it keeps the cabin from deflecting in when a load is placed on it, another reason for having the bulkheads there also. If the deck has a few very small areas that seem to be soft, and the price is right, it might be a good deal. But if it covers a large area, you would be looking at a major refit. Go down to the boat with an open mind, and check out the deck and post, if it turns out to be a lot of damage, walk away, there will be other boats.Ben Allen

 

[Rob Davis]

Thanks

Thanks Ben, I will pay close attention to that when I look at her this weekend. If I like what I see, I am definitely going for a survey for her for further investigation. I'll let you know how I make out. It seems I like the 26 over ther 25, even though they are basically the same boat.Rob

 

[Justin - O'day Owners' Web]

Survey time

Rob - I would look through the rest of the boat. If she's one you'd buy other than teh stress cracks, and there is no obvious issue with the compression post or a sunken deck, then I'd get a survey. You'll want to have one done anyway and in the absence of other signs its I good bet that the report will be positive.Justin - O'day OWners' Web