Here's a different approach to the "owners review" sort of a "owners review in reverse". I've read all 19 owners reviews for the Oday 28. Guess what, all 19 owners love their boats. But if you think about it, that only makes sense!!! They were looking for a new boat, reviewed many boats , and bought an O'Day 28. It would be very rare for someone to buy something they don't like. These owners put their money were their heart was. So here is the question that might give me a little more insight into the O'Day 28. "What don't you like about your boat?" I've looked at 5 different O'Day 28's with conditions ranging from prestine to "project" boat at best. I think I've seen some characteristics that are common to these 20+year old boats. I'd love to hear your thoughts. If it is not obvious by now, I'm considering buying a O'Day 28. What are your thoughts?
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mmmm thoughts
ok. I'll take a stab at it. I have a 1982 model (hull number 281) What I don't like (or could/can be improoved upon) : Hardware : 1. sheet winches are undersized. Original winches are Barient 12's (???) and in light air their ok, but when it blows, they blow.... 1a. the traveller and mainsheet blocks were/are undersized as well and should be upgraded. 2. anchor locker is too shallow and the drain is too small in diameter to drain the water quickly. 3. speaking of drains, the cockpit drains could be larger as well. 4. I'd prefer (and I moved them this year) the halyard winchesd on the cabin top and NOT on the mast. Interior : 5. the chart table opens up into the q-berth and is a bit small. Also getting into /out of the quarter berth is tricky. (especially after a few beers...) 6. there's no place to install electronics at the chart table/desk unless you build something. 7. not enough counter top space. the most useable counter top area is under the cabin steps. (easy to change by adding a cutting board to the top of the stove/oven 8. tight fit to stick your head in the forepeak if you want to replace wires, line chocks, etc. 9. I have a molded floor, not teak/holly floor....don't like and is tough to keep clean. Sailing : 10. off the wind, the boat isn't as quick as some other 27-28 ft. boats. I think that's due to the beaminess of the boat. It needs a spinnaker to help off the wind. 11. light air, the boat is VERY STICKY and slow. It needs at least 10 kts. to really shine. 11a. weather helm. The boat has a bit of weather helm becasue it does have a pretty decent SA/D and that with it being a masthead rig, can become over powered quickly.(see below) It also needs a backstay adjuster to get rid of headstay sag SA/D : SA/D Ratio is the sail area/displacement ratio. This ratio indicates how fast the boat is in light wind. The higher the number the faster the boat. * Cruising Boats have ratios between 10.00 and 15.00 * Cruiser-Racers have ratios between 15.1 and 20.00 * Racers have ratios above 20 * High-Performance Racers have ratios above 24 O'Day 28 SA/D : 15.75 Motoring : 11. if the boat has OMC saildrive : ok until it's NOT ok.....nuff said. 12. at speed under power the stern squats. If it's a tiller model, a tiller extension will get you (the helmsman) foward, but everyone else needs to move foward too. (there's so much room in the lazarette and below in the q berth people don't realize that when you dump all your gear there it affects the boat under power and sail. Storage should be as low as possible and as close to the center of the boat as possible. well that's about it. I love my boat and although I wish it were built to go faster you can make lots of mods to the boat to suit your type of sailing. Mike C. O'28 "DaCapo"
ok. I'll take a stab at it. I have a 1982 model (hull number 281) What I don't like (or could/can be improoved upon) : Hardware : 1. sheet winches are undersized. Original winches are Barient 12's (???) and in light air their ok, but when it blows, they blow.... 1a. the traveller and mainsheet blocks were/are undersized as well and should be upgraded. 2. anchor locker is too shallow and the drain is too small in diameter to drain the water quickly. 3. speaking of drains, the cockpit drains could be larger as well. 4. I'd prefer (and I moved them this year) the halyard winchesd on the cabin top and NOT on the mast. Interior : 5. the chart table opens up into the q-berth and is a bit small. Also getting into /out of the quarter berth is tricky. (especially after a few beers...) 6. there's no place to install electronics at the chart table/desk unless you build something. 7. not enough counter top space. the most useable counter top area is under the cabin steps. (easy to change by adding a cutting board to the top of the stove/oven 8. tight fit to stick your head in the forepeak if you want to replace wires, line chocks, etc. 9. I have a molded floor, not teak/holly floor....don't like and is tough to keep clean. Sailing : 10. off the wind, the boat isn't as quick as some other 27-28 ft. boats. I think that's due to the beaminess of the boat. It needs a spinnaker to help off the wind. 11. light air, the boat is VERY STICKY and slow. It needs at least 10 kts. to really shine. 11a. weather helm. The boat has a bit of weather helm becasue it does have a pretty decent SA/D and that with it being a masthead rig, can become over powered quickly.(see below) It also needs a backstay adjuster to get rid of headstay sag SA/D : SA/D Ratio is the sail area/displacement ratio. This ratio indicates how fast the boat is in light wind. The higher the number the faster the boat. * Cruising Boats have ratios between 10.00 and 15.00 * Cruiser-Racers have ratios between 15.1 and 20.00 * Racers have ratios above 20 * High-Performance Racers have ratios above 24 O'Day 28 SA/D : 15.75 Motoring : 11. if the boat has OMC saildrive : ok until it's NOT ok.....nuff said. 12. at speed under power the stern squats. If it's a tiller model, a tiller extension will get you (the helmsman) foward, but everyone else needs to move foward too. (there's so much room in the lazarette and below in the q berth people don't realize that when you dump all your gear there it affects the boat under power and sail. Storage should be as low as possible and as close to the center of the boat as possible. well that's about it. I love my boat and although I wish it were built to go faster you can make lots of mods to the boat to suit your type of sailing. Mike C. O'28 "DaCapo"
Great Response!!!!!!!!!
Mike Great Response!!!!! Just what I was looking for. I'm currently looking at a ODay 28 (1984). I have a couple of specific questions (real hard core) and would like to talk to you. I'll give you my e-mail address for a start. If you are up to it I'd love to hear from you. dpv1030@hotmail,com
Mike Great Response!!!!! Just what I was looking for. I'm currently looking at a ODay 28 (1984). I have a couple of specific questions (real hard core) and would like to talk to you. I'll give you my e-mail address for a start. If you are up to it I'd love to hear from you. dpv1030@hotmail,com
ODAY 28
HI, DENNIS, I was going to ask you what year you was looking at , but Isee in your reply its a 1984 I have a 85 oday for mamy years. In reading MIKE"S post about his 1982 oday. the pros & cons , There were many good improvements and updates since 82 they put in a diesel engine wheel steering . Here is a suggestion to see what other 28 odays have for equipment go to www.yachtworld.com and see prices what on the market. Over the years I had three odays a 20"23,and a 40 1986 and now the 85 28 oday Its a good boat. Any question you might have you can email me at frederickmain@yahoo.com Fred.
HI, DENNIS, I was going to ask you what year you was looking at , but Isee in your reply its a 1984 I have a 85 oday for mamy years. In reading MIKE"S post about his 1982 oday. the pros & cons , There were many good improvements and updates since 82 they put in a diesel engine wheel steering . Here is a suggestion to see what other 28 odays have for equipment go to www.yachtworld.com and see prices what on the market. Over the years I had three odays a 20"23,and a 40 1986 and now the 85 28 oday Its a good boat. Any question you might have you can email me at frederickmain@yahoo.com Fred.
Another Mike
Hi Mike C. how is that dodger working out? Anyway, I agree with Mike on all of his points especially the OMC saildrive engine. So far so good with mine but they are a smoky, gas hungry, noisy sort of engine. My OD 28 must have a reef at a wind over 15 knots. Once reefed she is fine. The salon, V-berth and cockpit are very nice. The location of the galley sink and reefer are a bit cumbersome. Interior lighting can be added to and needs it since its a bit too dim on the hook for reading or playing cards. The salon table is very good; not in the way when folded up and pretty roomy when down. Overall I like mine and except for that engine I'd buy her again.
Hi Mike C. how is that dodger working out? Anyway, I agree with Mike on all of his points especially the OMC saildrive engine. So far so good with mine but they are a smoky, gas hungry, noisy sort of engine. My OD 28 must have a reef at a wind over 15 knots. Once reefed she is fine. The salon, V-berth and cockpit are very nice. The location of the galley sink and reefer are a bit cumbersome. Interior lighting can be added to and needs it since its a bit too dim on the hook for reading or playing cards. The salon table is very good; not in the way when folded up and pretty roomy when down. Overall I like mine and except for that engine I'd buy her again.
dodger is good
Mike, the dodger is working out ok. I needed to re-stitch the sides and then re-stitch the front zipper for the roll-up plastic windshield. Now I need to find a bimini to keep me cool in the hot sun of July..............
Mike, the dodger is working out ok. I needed to re-stitch the sides and then re-stitch the front zipper for the roll-up plastic windshield. Now I need to find a bimini to keep me cool in the hot sun of July..............
bimine
Mike, if you look on the photo page #1 for OD 28's the last entry is mine. It shows the enclosure I had built for my 28. In the cool, rainy, bug infested Great Lakes an enclosure sure makes the season longer and a lot more tolerable. If you get a bimini make sure you build it so as to be able to put side curtains/screens on later. A full enclosure is like adding a room on the boat. SWMBO loves it and making her happy makes me happy (know what I mean?). Dennis, if you do end up buying the 28 you ought to look at a boat which already has a dodger. Any other additional canvas is a bonus. Taint cheap, but anything worth having usually has a price with it.
Mike, if you look on the photo page #1 for OD 28's the last entry is mine. It shows the enclosure I had built for my 28. In the cool, rainy, bug infested Great Lakes an enclosure sure makes the season longer and a lot more tolerable. If you get a bimini make sure you build it so as to be able to put side curtains/screens on later. A full enclosure is like adding a room on the boat. SWMBO loves it and making her happy makes me happy (know what I mean?). Dennis, if you do end up buying the 28 you ought to look at a boat which already has a dodger. Any other additional canvas is a bonus. Taint cheap, but anything worth having usually has a price with it.
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