O'Day 322 Keel bolt question

[abaragones]

Hi,
Hoping to be an owner of an '87 O'Day 322 very soon, and have a quick question about keel bolts. I've been reading about the issues the keel and keel bolts have and was wondering if you think what you see in the pictures attached is how the boat originally came or those backing plates were added for extra support latter. I know the survey will look into this but was just curious about the opinions of other owners (sorry for the pics, they are not great)

Hoping to be back with more questions soon, great place for info.
-Abraham

 

[Pat]

Hi,
Hoping to be an owner of an '87 O'Day 322 very soon, and have a quick question about keel bolts. I've been reading about the issues the keel and keel bolts have and was wondering if you think what you see in the pictures attached is how the boat originally came or those backing plates were added for extra support latter. I know the survey will look into this but was just curious about the opinions of other owners (sorry for the pics, they are not great)

Hoping to be back with more questions soon, great place for info.
-Abraham

I think this is how the boat came originally. My 272 has the same style of backing plates...they have never been issue...although with a depth finder I seldom run aground....My friend who had an O'DAy 302 never had a problem with his either in Kansas or Ft. Myers, Fl...the boat is a fine sail
boat.

 

[abaragones]

Thanks Pat, we had a survey done, and specifically looked at the keel/keel bolts/ keel attachment area/bilge etc and all looks good (I know it is not 100% but what is).
Hoping to close the deal on this 322 this week.
Thank you again
-Abraham

 

[AndreNJ11]

I have a 322 and that is how they were originally built with those square backing plates. I check my keel bolts every spring while the boat is on the hard, sitting on the keel. My keel sump is absolutely dry all summer long.

 

[Tally Ho]

Did your 322 show any cracks in the hull to keel joint? I am looking at an '88 322, and it looks like a crack across the joint above the wing keel.

Greg

 

[abaragones]

Greg, do you mean where the keel joins the hull? a horizontal line? if that is the case that is normal, any pics?...that joint should be rebeded(?) to avoid water intrusion, and the bolts should be kept well adjusted (torque numbers are available online, cant find it right now)... a good surveyor will find issues in that area, I specifically ask him to check and recheck the area...all seems to be in great shape.

sorry if I am not understanding your question.

Abe

 

[Tally Ho]

Greg, do you mean where the keel joins the hull? a horizontal line? if that is the case that is normal, any pics?...that joint should be rebeded(?) to avoid water intrusion, and the bolts should be kept well adjusted (torque numbers are available online, cant find it right now)... a good surveyor will find issues in that area, I specifically ask him to check and recheck the area...all seems to be in great shape.

sorry if I am not understanding your question.

Abe

I thnk you hit the nail on the head....horizontal line across the keel at the joint line....see photo...I guess I wonder how you can tell if there has been any water intrusion (meaning you need to drop the keel and do something major) or just refair it.

The owner says it has been like that for a long time, and never gets any worse (I think he past painted the bottom 2 or 3 years ago - boat was not in the water the last season or 2).

 

[abaragones]

Greg, I have a friend who owns a 322, has had it for about 15 years, and the line was always there. He uses 3M 5200 to fill the area and keep it dry.

Before I bought my 322, I saw six 302 and 322, all of them had the horizontal line.
Good luck!
-Abe

 

[jibes138]

I am merely guessing because the photo is not clear but I think O'day did a real bad job fairing the keel to hull interface. They used a pretty thick bond line, if you scrape out the bedding compound for some depth it is maybe a quarter inch thick of compound so it is like a thick gasket. If it isn't leaking the thing to do is scrape it out a little all around then fair it with fresh compound to make the joint as smooth as possible. Racing boats spend a lot of time and effort to reduce any drag from areas like this. For the average cruiser like me its' not worth the time and effort. Another option is to wrap the joint in glass and epoxy to permanently seal it. Do a search on here and you can find a thread about doing that.

 

[estopa]

Just for shits and giggles, how much have you seen 302 and 322 go for? How much did you guys pay for yours? I don't plan on upgrading any time soon but it would be great to dream. Thanks.

 

[Tally Ho]

I am looking at a 1988 Oday 322 listed at $29,900. Have not yet made an offer for her...but thinking $26K, maybe as high as $27,600. She has a pretty old main, and I am reserving $$ to replace it, and still stay below $30K.

 

[Capn Pete]

I am looking at a 1988 Oday 322 listed at $29,900. Have not yet made an offer for her...but thinking $26K, maybe as high as $27,600. She has a pretty old main, and I am reserving $$ to replace it, and still stay below $30K.

Don't know what the current market price might be, but in 2004, when I bought my 322, I paid $33K for her. (I got the PO to bring the price down from original asking figure because of a delaminated rudder and a couple other issues.)

If you can find a 322 in the high $20s or thereabouts, and she's in good shape, grab her. Then, if you're in the tristate area, point her this summer toward Jersey City for the 9th annuall owners' rOnDAYvous.

Pete

 

[Capn Pete]

OK, so I didn't look closely enough at your homeport. But why let that stop you? Our 2nd year, we had a couple fly in from Wisconsin just to be at the rOnDAYvous.

 

[Tally Ho]

Yeah, I am down at the south end of Lake Michigan...But could always fly in and bareboat...

 

[Capn Pete]

Now you're talking sense, Tanq!