I am writing an article about our 1989 O'day 322, and in doing so was really surprising at the significant impact the design had on the future of sailing. I have read most of the summary details posted throughout the internet, as well as my owners manual from cover to cover, but was interested to know if anyone has any knowledge of the events leading up to the actual design and the market reaction.
For example, this was a Hunt and Associates design, but who was the actual designer that work for the company?
Was this a design Hunt came up with or did O'day say " Here is what we want to do"
Was this boat introduced in an effort to move the +30,000 O'day sailor's into an affordable "family" sailboat that could primarily be sailed without a crew, or did it just end up that way?
Who brought the Hyrokeel idea to the party? Was it something that the O'Day told them they wanted included, or did Hunt team come up with it?
Where and when was it first introduced?
As most of the sailboat dealers at the time were probably traditionalist, what was the reaction to the euro-style?
Thanks in advance for the help
For example, this was a Hunt and Associates design, but who was the actual designer that work for the company?
Was this a design Hunt came up with or did O'day say " Here is what we want to do"
Was this boat introduced in an effort to move the +30,000 O'day sailor's into an affordable "family" sailboat that could primarily be sailed without a crew, or did it just end up that way?
Who brought the Hyrokeel idea to the party? Was it something that the O'Day told them they wanted included, or did Hunt team come up with it?
Where and when was it first introduced?
As most of the sailboat dealers at the time were probably traditionalist, what was the reaction to the euro-style?
Thanks in advance for the help