Oday 26 ?

[Mike]

I have made an offer on a 1985 O'day 26. I have seen many pictures, but am unable to really look it over until the 15th of October. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I need to be careful of on this boat.

 

[dennis]

Great boats...look here

Mike,These are good boats, but time adn weather can be hard on anything. The biggest problem with any older boats is water leaking into the boat. Check all of the windows as best you can. Water tends to leave signs, via stained or discolored fiberglass or cloth. Check to make sure the chainplates have not leaked. I have a 1979 25ft O'Day (same boat, different windows). I will be rebedding mine this winter. Check the forward windows in the head. These seem to be the first to leak (again speaking from experience) Look in the locker, behind the head (Port), and under the head sink (starboard). Run you rhand down the hull to the bottom of the bulkhead. Water will leak in under the stanchion, which is directly above outside wall of the stanchion. If the water sits at the base of the bulkhead it will rot (experience too).Pleae note: dispite the above experiences my boat is in great shape!!!! 26 years old and solid (knock on fiberglass!!!)In the spring, rub the boat out with "polishing compound". I use regular automotive products. Then wax. The boat will clean up like a new Chevy!!!! Every year people are dazzled that the my boat is 26 years old.Good luck and enjoy!

 

[Mike]

Thanks for the tips

Thank you very much. I am a bit nervous as I have yet to look her over. Everyone I have talked to said these are nice boat and hold up very well. I will be storing it outside this year but will build a barn for it next summer. Thanks Again,Mike

 

[Mike]

25 VS 26?

What is the big difference between the 25 and the 26? I see the price is usually much different but have not researched the boats. I am set on the 26 but am starting to wonder about the 25, as there is one here in Michigan for sale.

 

[dennis23517]

No big difference

Mike,I'm not an authority, but I believe I read somewhere that the measuring system changed from measuring just the boat, to measuring the boat with the tiller on. Basically adding another foot. Again, I can't prove that statement, but I remember it making sense at the time I read it.The 25 and 26 are the basically the same boat. The small differences are more for the marketing or preceived updates than anything else. On the outside they changed the cabin windows to give a more modern/European look. They changed the forward hatch to a commerically available hatch vs. the fiberglass hatch that was part of the cabin doghouse (a good idea). The non-skid deck material was changed.Inside they rearranged the galley. They moved the stove to a shelf over the starboard settee, replaced the step on the galley surface with a proper ladder form the companionway into the cabin, and added wooden finished to the galley and head cabinets.Just buy the one that you could call the "apple of your eye". For all intents and purposes the boats are the same.