O'Day 26 headroom and tenderness

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Jan 25, 2010
6
MacGregor 25 Angostura
I'm looking a purchasing an O'Day 26. Can anyone tell me the actual headroom measurement for the cabin of an O'Day 26 (under the hatch) and at what wind speed do you generally reef the main? Thanks.
 
Oct 21, 2005
205
Oday 26 Indian Cove, Guilford, CT LIS
We sail by "the seat of our pants". I'm not always sure of the wind speed. We reef when it feels right. In gusty winds with big lulls in between we won't and just be ready for possible "knock downs". In a very steady wind, when the heal becomes uncomfortable we will reef. Also experience has shown that this boat will sail faster more upright, so if you are looking for speed, sometimes you sail faster with a reef. Because of the high freeboard and the narrow beam, putting the rails in the water is not an option on this boat.
 
Dec 8, 2006
1,085
Oday 26 Starr, SC
Goleson

We sail by "the seat of our pants". I'm not always sure of the wind speed. We reef when it feels right. In gusty winds with big lulls in between we won't and just be ready for possible "knock downs". In a very steady wind, when the heal becomes uncomfortable we will reef. Also experience has shown that this boat will sail faster more upright, so if you are looking for speed, sometimes you sail faster with a reef. Because of the high freeboard and the narrow beam, putting the rails in the water is not an option on this boat.
The O'Day 26 is a stuby keel boat, as Appleman said, with high freeboard, with relatively narrow beam. It is what it is. A small cruiser for shallow waters and not gale force winds.

That being said, it handles winds upto 20 fine, as long as you know what you are doing. And you can get to safety with winds a little higher, but it is not a boat to be routinely sailed in high winds.

Headroom is about 5' 8" under in the center of the cabin. It slopes down forward, such that you have be careful.

Ed K
26
 

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Jan 25, 2010
6
MacGregor 25 Angostura
Thanks to everyone for the info. It is very helpful -- especially the chart!
 
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