I just moved from Indiana to Annapolis and am considering the purchase of a mid-80s O'Day 28. Would the shoal keel be a better choice than the fin for the Chesapeake? I see these slick megabucks one-designs flying across the bay and know for a fact they have DEEP keels under 'em. Anyone sail a 28 fin on the bay?
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ODay 28:shoal or Fin Keel
We have been back for a year from our year long sabbatical aboard our 28' Oday/shoal. Durning that time we cruised the East coast of America. The boat was the right choice at the right time. We spent a month or so in the Chesapeake and incountered all the weather variations that she could offer and I pleased to say that with the right sail and centerboard combination, she was great! I would not hesitate to do the trip on this boat again. Happy sailing!
We have been back for a year from our year long sabbatical aboard our 28' Oday/shoal. Durning that time we cruised the East coast of America. The boat was the right choice at the right time. We spent a month or so in the Chesapeake and incountered all the weather variations that she could offer and I pleased to say that with the right sail and centerboard combination, she was great! I would not hesitate to do the trip on this boat again. Happy sailing!
I have no experience with the Chesapeake at all. But it seems to me your choice would depend on what type of sailing you want to do as well as where you will be docking. The shoal draft (which I have on my 25) is great for shallower lakes like Lake Erie and the Sandusky Harbor in which I sail alot. If you want/need to get into shallower waters alot, then go with the shoal keel. However, if water depth is not a huge concern, then I would go with the fin keel. It'll point better and make less leeway than the shoal keel.
Shoal
I have an O'Day 28 that I sail on the bay. It has a shoal draft, which I prefer. There are several reasons. While the Bay istself seldoms get below 15 feet, channel is more than 40 feet, much of the rivers and creeks that feed the bay are much less. As an example, the depth at our yacht club is not much more the 6 of 7 feet, and at very low tide, it's less than 5. The weather on the bay is usually not much more that 20 to 25 mph, and the 28 can handle that with ease. As for the 28, I find it an excellent boat, with plenty of room. It can handle the the worst weather the bay has to offer. If you get to Oxford this year, look us up. We're at the Mears Yacht Club. Boats name is the Perservance. Good luck. Tom
I have an O'Day 28 that I sail on the bay. It has a shoal draft, which I prefer. There are several reasons. While the Bay istself seldoms get below 15 feet, channel is more than 40 feet, much of the rivers and creeks that feed the bay are much less. As an example, the depth at our yacht club is not much more the 6 of 7 feet, and at very low tide, it's less than 5. The weather on the bay is usually not much more that 20 to 25 mph, and the 28 can handle that with ease. As for the 28, I find it an excellent boat, with plenty of room. It can handle the the worst weather the bay has to offer. If you get to Oxford this year, look us up. We're at the Mears Yacht Club. Boats name is the Perservance. Good luck. Tom
Fin keel
I purchased an '84 28' O'Day with fin keel last October and sail the Chesapeake and rivers which empty into the Chesapeake. I encountered no problems as I am aware of the waters and keep close watch on my charts and depth finder. Great boat. Would diffinitely get another O'Day. Also previously sailed other fin keel models on the Chesapeake. Don't think you can go wrong either way.
I purchased an '84 28' O'Day with fin keel last October and sail the Chesapeake and rivers which empty into the Chesapeake. I encountered no problems as I am aware of the waters and keep close watch on my charts and depth finder. Great boat. Would diffinitely get another O'Day. Also previously sailed other fin keel models on the Chesapeake. Don't think you can go wrong either way.
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