I am looking to buy a nice used 1987 272 oday LE, but have some concerns about the reliability and structural integrity of the o'days. Also the fact that they are no longer being made is of some concern. I am mainly interested in short duration sailing or day sailing on the Chesapeake. All comments appreciated. I am not a handy guy so I cannot do extensive work on the boat.
oday 272 LE
- Thread starter barrylerner
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Some thoughts
I have an older O'Day 27 -- well made & a good sailing, roomy cruiser for the period. The boat is also fast. Displacement is 6950, whereas the newer 272 displaces only 5300. It's light & I'm told it's a poor sailer at best. The 272 was made when O'Day was getting ready to go out of business too, & as a result certain quality items suffered -- ex, they didn't even bother to finish the inside -- they just glued on carpet instead of a real liner.
I have an older O'Day 27 -- well made & a good sailing, roomy cruiser for the period. The boat is also fast. Displacement is 6950, whereas the newer 272 displaces only 5300. It's light & I'm told it's a poor sailer at best. The 272 was made when O'Day was getting ready to go out of business too, & as a result certain quality items suffered -- ex, they didn't even bother to finish the inside -- they just glued on carpet instead of a real liner.
Owned
I owned and sailed a '87' 272 for 10 years on an inlake in MO. While it wasn't the LE version, I found the boat to be very user freindly and a GOOD sail. Not tender at all. Finishes were good and the construction sound. I have heard that the later O'day models did have problems with finishes and construction, but I found an '89' 322 that was in GREAT condition. A good survey will tell you alot. Good Luck Jeff
I owned and sailed a '87' 272 for 10 years on an inlake in MO. While it wasn't the LE version, I found the boat to be very user freindly and a GOOD sail. Not tender at all. Finishes were good and the construction sound. I have heard that the later O'day models did have problems with finishes and construction, but I found an '89' 322 that was in GREAT condition. A good survey will tell you alot. Good Luck Jeff
Another opinion
Barry: I can't speak to the older ODay 27 (although I hear it's a fine boat), but I can say from personal experience that the 272LE is a very user-friendly, sea-kindly boat. She's plenty stiff when the wind picks up, but will still move along in lighter breezes. I've sailed mine in the "skinny" waters of Barnegat Bay, as well as offshore up and down the New Jersey coast. She can be single-handed easily, but is comfy enough for a family of 3 or 4 to live aboard on weekends (been there, done that). Even better? Mine's on the market! Email me directly (pdodenhoff@jjay.cuny.edu), or reply on-list, and I'll send specs and photos. Pete
Barry: I can't speak to the older ODay 27 (although I hear it's a fine boat), but I can say from personal experience that the 272LE is a very user-friendly, sea-kindly boat. She's plenty stiff when the wind picks up, but will still move along in lighter breezes. I've sailed mine in the "skinny" waters of Barnegat Bay, as well as offshore up and down the New Jersey coast. She can be single-handed easily, but is comfy enough for a family of 3 or 4 to live aboard on weekends (been there, done that). Even better? Mine's on the market! Email me directly (pdodenhoff@jjay.cuny.edu), or reply on-list, and I'll send specs and photos. Pete
Barry...
Please base your decision on information garnered from owners...especially owners with experience, and NOT on the word people who simply base their opinion on the "I heard" method of judgement. Contrary to some opinions, the interior was trimmed in a carpet-like lining long before the O'day line ceased production and had nothing to do with financial dire straits. While it is a light and nimble boat, it is an excellent sailer and quite fast. If you go to the review section of this website you can read reviews of people who actually own one of these boats rather than base your decision on the opinion of those who never owned one. I sailed mine for three years over hundreds of miles in all weather without complaint. Extended cruising is the only reason I sold it. The link below is for my old website which is now the property of the VERY HAPPY NEW OWNER. Cheers, Bob
Please base your decision on information garnered from owners...especially owners with experience, and NOT on the word people who simply base their opinion on the "I heard" method of judgement. Contrary to some opinions, the interior was trimmed in a carpet-like lining long before the O'day line ceased production and had nothing to do with financial dire straits. While it is a light and nimble boat, it is an excellent sailer and quite fast. If you go to the review section of this website you can read reviews of people who actually own one of these boats rather than base your decision on the opinion of those who never owned one. I sailed mine for three years over hundreds of miles in all weather without complaint. Extended cruising is the only reason I sold it. The link below is for my old website which is now the property of the VERY HAPPY NEW OWNER. Cheers, Bob
My experience with a 272 (not an LE)
Barry, I have a 1986 272. It was sold to me as a 272LE, but through the help of a user of this website, I've learned that it is simply a 272, not an LE. It has an original Westerbeke diesel, and wheel steering, but my consultant tells me that my steering gear was apparently added some time after delivery. The boat has a white hull, and I understand that LE's were only made with the grey hull. All that being said, the boat is a delight to sail. If you look on the directory of owners on this site, you'll see the boat and a little info about what I've done since I bought it 18 months ago. I purchased the boat in order to take a Spring, 2004 "sabbatical" on the Chesapeake Bay. I did that and had a wonderful time. I originally planned on selling the boat following my trip, but my wife, daughter and I have loved it and have decided, at least for the time being, to hold onto it. Fall sailing on the bay is delightful. We took a week in early October last year, and went from Baltimore down to St. Mary's City where our son is in college, and had a great time. The boat feels like much bigger than 27 feet, and sails easily and comfortably. When I bought the boat I replaced the head and installed a new holding tank, as the previous owner had put in a porta-pottie. I upgraded some of the electronics and added a new depth sounder when the old one went up a week into my trip. Otherwise, the boat was well maintained and we've loved using it. Yesterday I took a day off from work and we went out for 6 hours. I'm hoping to take the boat out for two nights next weekend. If you'd like more impressions or comments on the model, feel free to contact me at jacobs2424@netzero.net, and I'll be glad to tell you all about it. Lou
Barry, I have a 1986 272. It was sold to me as a 272LE, but through the help of a user of this website, I've learned that it is simply a 272, not an LE. It has an original Westerbeke diesel, and wheel steering, but my consultant tells me that my steering gear was apparently added some time after delivery. The boat has a white hull, and I understand that LE's were only made with the grey hull. All that being said, the boat is a delight to sail. If you look on the directory of owners on this site, you'll see the boat and a little info about what I've done since I bought it 18 months ago. I purchased the boat in order to take a Spring, 2004 "sabbatical" on the Chesapeake Bay. I did that and had a wonderful time. I originally planned on selling the boat following my trip, but my wife, daughter and I have loved it and have decided, at least for the time being, to hold onto it. Fall sailing on the bay is delightful. We took a week in early October last year, and went from Baltimore down to St. Mary's City where our son is in college, and had a great time. The boat feels like much bigger than 27 feet, and sails easily and comfortably. When I bought the boat I replaced the head and installed a new holding tank, as the previous owner had put in a porta-pottie. I upgraded some of the electronics and added a new depth sounder when the old one went up a week into my trip. Otherwise, the boat was well maintained and we've loved using it. Yesterday I took a day off from work and we went out for 6 hours. I'm hoping to take the boat out for two nights next weekend. If you'd like more impressions or comments on the model, feel free to contact me at jacobs2424@netzero.net, and I'll be glad to tell you all about it. Lou
Hey Barry and Lou...
BARRY: Please feel free to e-mail me anytime if you'd like some info or have any questions. bat@sailonly.com LOU: So happy to see that you're getting on well with the O'day. If it wasn't for the fact that we'd be cruising a month at a time, I'd have kept mine. Below is a pic of the new boat.
BARRY: Please feel free to e-mail me anytime if you'd like some info or have any questions. bat@sailonly.com LOU: So happy to see that you're getting on well with the O'day. If it wasn't for the fact that we'd be cruising a month at a time, I'd have kept mine. Below is a pic of the new boat.
The new boat's a beauty Bob
Bob, The new boat looks terrific. Loads of room above and below, and the rig must be a real delight. I'm sure you're enjoying it. And thanks again for all the effort and research you put into my questions a few months ago. Lou
Bob, The new boat looks terrific. Loads of room above and below, and the rig must be a real delight. I'm sure you're enjoying it. And thanks again for all the effort and research you put into my questions a few months ago. Lou
Cheaply built?
Our LE model has served us well, and never...knock on wood has anything major broken down on it....It has been thru some incredible storms both on the lake and tied up to the dock....never a failure.....the original 272 was built to be very inexpensive, I think $ 19,900 and was a heck of a buy for the money....The carpet reduces condensation, and is actually much more comfortable than bare fiberglass. S2-s made excellent use of carpet as well. It wasn't a quick installation. Our boat has been a delight. All the spend any time with us are amazed at how well she sails....cooks great too, both in the slips and serves four comfortably...
Our LE model has served us well, and never...knock on wood has anything major broken down on it....It has been thru some incredible storms both on the lake and tied up to the dock....never a failure.....the original 272 was built to be very inexpensive, I think $ 19,900 and was a heck of a buy for the money....The carpet reduces condensation, and is actually much more comfortable than bare fiberglass. S2-s made excellent use of carpet as well. It wasn't a quick installation. Our boat has been a delight. All the spend any time with us are amazed at how well she sails....cooks great too, both in the slips and serves four comfortably...
After a year
We bought our 272 LE a year ago, after a winter and a summer i am happy to say I would do it all again! We love our boat, it is confortable and easy to use, there are somethings I am not completly happy about but nothing that is serious enough to make me not like the girl. I spent the 300 needed for a survey and I think anyone spending 10k or more on a used boat should do so. As a owner I get a huge responce as to how pretty a boat she is and we seldom get passed except by the true racer! Jim
We bought our 272 LE a year ago, after a winter and a summer i am happy to say I would do it all again! We love our boat, it is confortable and easy to use, there are somethings I am not completly happy about but nothing that is serious enough to make me not like the girl. I spent the 300 needed for a survey and I think anyone spending 10k or more on a used boat should do so. As a owner I get a huge responce as to how pretty a boat she is and we seldom get passed except by the true racer! Jim
Difference between 272 and 272LE
What is the difference between the two. I'm actually looking at an 87 now but it has a Volvo Pents engine in it.
What is the difference between the two. I'm actually looking at an 87 now but it has a Volvo Pents engine in it.
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