Oday 37 Iron Keel Problems.????

[Rovic_bay]

I saw mention a warning about Oday 37 Center Cockpit built between 1979 & 1980 that a number of these vessels had an iron keel and to think twice about purchasing one of these models. Can anyone add any more information about the problems encountered with this model.

 

[Pierre Ruel]

no problem

I have zero problem with tahat matter

 

[Peter J. Brennan]

Could you be more explicit?

If the keel has been well maintained and in fresh water all these years, then perhaps not. But an iron keel that has not been well maintained can be a real headache.

 

[Robert]

More Explicit

The reference I saw mentioned that the lead ballast was fully enclosed in the fiberglass and the iron keel was bolted on.???? Anyone know it this is the case.?? Anyway to identify which year/model has this type of keel (iron). Can it be traced through hull numbers.???ThanksRobert (ex-woodie )

 

[Peter J. Brennan]

Bolted on

The lead keel is encapsulated. I have never actually seen one but I believe the iron keel is bolted on. The manual that came with my boat (1982 model) included instructions for proper maintenance of an iron keel. When we bought our boat we instrcted the surveyor to check that the keel was not iron, either bolted on or encapsulated. A magnet did the job. You would not want to encapsulate iron anyway. Water WILL get in and it will rust and the rust takes up more space than the iron and eventually will rupture the capsule.My antipathy to iron dates to an earlier boat that had an iron swing keel.

 

[J.B. Dyer]

Real Deal

Good Morning:I've been the owner of an iron keel O'Day 34 for several years now. The biggest problem with them is that they are ugly, but when you get past that, there just isn't a problem. They are cast iron, and cast iron just rusts so far. The outer coat of rust encapsulates and seals oxygen off from the inner core and that's as far as it ever rusts. Take a file and clean of a spot, you'll find fresh iron about 1/8 of an inch deep. Ever seen an old country cast iron dinner bell completely rusted through? People spend a lot of time worrying about iron keels for no good reason. A thousand years from now, my boat will be gone, but in all likelyhood the keel will still be intact unless its been melted down for some other purpose. The only maintenance that I pull on it is the keel joint, which is pretty much standard on all bolted on keels, and a light brushing with a steel brush come bottom painting time. Stop worrying about it you like the boat, the keel will outlive you and the boat.