O'day Daysailer Vs Other Makers: Price & Quality?

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Mar 26, 2011
2
Oday Daysailer California
I'm trying to buy a Daysailer. The O'Day built ones represent the standard, but made in the 1970's so it's hard to find one that isn't very worn and full of projects. Subsequent makers include Rebel and McLaughlin - supposedly well-built but impossible to find. That leaves those made by SLI Sunfish Laser, Performance, Spindrift and Cape Cod - but I have heard that these are much less desireable. Can anyone tell me, is that due to quality issues or because they are slower, or both? And how does that affect what I should pay? With a decent trailer, an O'Day sells for $800 to $2500 depending on condition and equipment, but they're still old, a repair-project-waiting-to-happen. On the other hand, I'd assume a 1996 SLI would be fetch up to $6000, but I've been told they aren't competitive so they aren't worth close to that. So what should I pay for one of these newer versions? Can anyone help me with this? All opinions are welcomed - and don't hold back on whether some of these others are dogs. I need to know this. :confused:
 
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higgs

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Aug 24, 2005
3,692
Nassau 34 Olcott, NY
Flying Scots are also another possibility. Just thought I'd make your choice even harder.
 

jimmyb

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Feb 12, 2010
231
Precison 165 NA
I'm trying to buy a Daysailer. The O'Day built ones represent the standard, but made in the 1970's so it's hard to find one that isn't very worn and full of projects. Subsequent makers include Rebel and McLaughlin - supposedly well-built but impossible to find. That leaves those made by SLI Sunfish Laser, Performance, Spindrift and Cape Cod - but I have heard that these are much less desireable. Can anyone tell me, is that due to quality issues or because they are slower, or both? And how does that affect what I should pay? With a decent trailer, an O'Day sells for $800 to $2500 depending on condition and equipment, but they're still old, a repair-project-waiting-to-happen. On the other hand, I'd assume a 1996 SLI would be fetch up to $6000, but I've been told they aren't competitive so they aren't worth close to that. So what should I pay for one of these newer versions? Can anyone help me with this? All opinions are welcomed - and don't hold back on whether some of these others are dogs. I need to know this. :confused:
I woud start by narrowing down the length of boat, cabin or no cabin, keel or C/B or other and how much you can realisicaly spend and have a few bucks for the inevitable update or repair. List them here and you will get more targeted answers.

The wife and I started sailing last year. I wanted a small boat no longer that 17ft. I did not want a project I wanted to sail. My budget was kept low because after taking lessons I knew I was going to love sailing and I also knew I would probably only own my first boat for a season or 2 at the most. We started with a Precision 15 c/b and it was perfect for the 2 of us. We sail inland lakes and we could sail close by and often. That in my opinion is huge in that we got a lot of time on the boat and the learning curve was excelerated. Now we are looking to upgrade to shallow keel/ballasted pocket cruiser for camping and daysailing. I think the small boat experience is priceless.

jimmyb
 
Mar 26, 2011
2
Oday Daysailer California
DS1

I was referring to the craft actually know as the "Daysailer" (a 17' daggerboard dinghy with a small storage cuddy) originally made by O'Day but the design was purchased by a variety of other firms (listed above) who made the same boat with some variations over the subsequent years. But that was good feedback about the Precision 15. Sounds like a good alternative but I'm still focused on the DS1 because there's an established racing fleet nearby. I'm just trying to figure what to pay, particularly if the boat was built by one of the other makers.
 

higgs

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Aug 24, 2005
3,692
Nassau 34 Olcott, NY
I now remember the O'Day Daysailor. My father owned an O'Day Widgeon which I learned to sail on. As I remember the boat, it was a fun boat that gave us no problems. My father and I went on to an O'Day 20 which was a good boat for what it was intended to be: basically a day sailor with over night accommodations. This was all in the early 70s and O'Day had a a big line of boats. I pushed the 20 pretty hard and never broke anything.

I believe the Daysailor is a centerboard boat - not dagger board.
 
Mar 20, 2004
1,736
Hunter 356 and 216 Portland, ME
Re: DS1

Of the ds1's (you want a ds1 because all of the other hull styles are heavier and hence slower) the original O'Days and the Rebels are considered to be the fastest and generally have the best resale values. Look at the website pointed out earlier... Yes, the older boats can be projects, but they are simple boats and you can usually get a better price by pointing out the defects. Look for a DS1 with a tapered proctor mast if you plan to race. Good starter boats can be found for $800-2000 depending on condition, gear, and record.

Originally DS111,
now DS13031
 

CalebD

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Jun 27, 2006
1,479
Tartan 27' 1967 Nyack, NY
A friend and I rented a DS1 on Bermuda and sailed across the Great Sound (?) to Hamilton under a funnel cloud.
They are fun boats but I've never raced in one. If you want a racing DS boat you will have some extra controls I'd guess. I'd suggest you try to visit and even sail on some of the different makes you mentioned. A boat that was never rigged up for racing might not have a boom vang, spinnaker pole etc.
Is there a DS website or racing association? They would know more about which makers conform with the 'fleet'.
 
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