Oday boats

[Don M. Chesley]

If we all love these boats so much how is it that the company is no longer around.

 

[Paul]

Second Hand Rose - that's what we are!

Guess most of us could not afford to purchase a new O'Day in it's hay-day. I looked at them and drooled! I ended up with a new 1979 Venture 25, which was less then 1/3 the price of the equivilent O'Day. I don't regret the Venture, but I wish I could have purchased the O'Day! Some of the best times we had were on that Ventrue with my kids. Nearly 25 years later I did get the chance to buy one and I did. I had to get rid of my 22 smoker to do it, but I purchased an O'Day.I am not sure how many 1972 or even older Ventures (now MacGregors) are out there, but there are plenty of old, old, O'Days like my 1977 22! It is a lovely boat, a bit too small for the Atlantic, but I get by! I don't see too many smaller cabin boats come out of Port Everglades into the Atlantic. And, sometimes, I get tossed around pretty good comming out or going into the cut, but the little boat handles it just fine! I try to stay out of water with sees over 4 feet, which is quite often here. When the water is rough, I trailer down to Biscayne Bay and head south. I am not sure I could afford a new O'Day even if they were around today, but it is nice to have a dream!Paul"Fine As Frog's Hair"1977 O'Day 22

 

[Herb Parsons]

80's Boat Sales

A lot of quality boat companies went under in the early to mid 80's, including O'Day. I've heard it blamed on a lot of different things (too many players, the luxury tax on boats, etc), but it does seem a hard time for sailboats. Keep in mind that many quality boatbuilders from that era are gone - Pearson, Cal, C&C, Coronado, Columbia (even though I think they're heating back up). There are many others, but those quickly come to mind.

 

[dennis23517]

Change in the market!!!!!

Don,I read about this a long time ago, so my numbers may not be correct. In the late 70's and early 80's the market for new sailboats was strong. during that time trailor sailors were a mojor contributor to the market too. I can't remember the number, but I do remember that sales in units were in the 6 figures range. In the 80's that dropped to low 5 digit numbers in units sold. What I do remember when reading the article was that it was no surprise that if a market for new units is cut by 60%--65%--70%, there is going to be a bunch of companies that go out of business. That is exactly what happened.Cal's gone, Pearson's gone, C&C's gone. Even some of the great's were effected. I had heard that Tartan was on the ropes.When you go to a boat show, look at the ratio of sailboats to powerboats. Sailboat are a small percentage of the show, because, they are a small percentage of the total market.

 

[flyhop]

Petroleum costs during that time were a factor

Much like we are seeing today with companies heavily reliant upon petroleum and the cost thereof(read: airlines), one of the major costs to fiberglass boat manufacturers was the resin and it's escalating price in the 70's really put the hurt on their profit margins. Combine that with a drop off in sales (e.g. luxury sales tax, good prices on used boats relative to new), several companies went out of business.