I'm looking at an '87 O'Day 272, with a wing keel. It seems very nice but can anyone tell me what you think of this boat for cruising the Chesapeake. Is there enough weight for stability?
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I have an older model, the O'Day 27. It weighs 6950 lbs. The 272 weighs only 5300. It doesn't sound too stable for me. It is a beautiful boat inside and out, but some of the reviews on this site seem to imply that it is a lightweight.
I have an older model, the O'Day 27. It weighs 6950 lbs. The 272 weighs only 5300. It doesn't sound too stable for me. It is a beautiful boat inside and out, but some of the reviews on this site seem to imply that it is a lightweight.
Paul, read the reviews
There are reviews of the 272 and 272LE under "boat reviews" or "review your boat". Those of us who own 272's are happy with the boat. There is also a list of owners of both the 272 and 272LE on the boat review page. If, after you have read the reviews, you have particular questions, feel free to send a post. I'm on the owners list. Tom Ehmke ODay 272 tooth'n'nail
There are reviews of the 272 and 272LE under "boat reviews" or "review your boat". Those of us who own 272's are happy with the boat. There is also a list of owners of both the 272 and 272LE on the boat review page. If, after you have read the reviews, you have particular questions, feel free to send a post. I'm on the owners list. Tom Ehmke ODay 272 tooth'n'nail
272
Paul - As others have said - read the reviews. As for the objective question - sure, its enough boat - on the right days and in the right mindset. Remember- there is a day out there to wreck any boat. Most smaller boats are relatively tender - this is not a terrible thing. They trade stiffness for light weight and responsiveness. Tuck a reef and call it good. On my 25 I have two reefs and am having a third added this winter. Justin - O'day Owners' web
Paul - As others have said - read the reviews. As for the objective question - sure, its enough boat - on the right days and in the right mindset. Remember- there is a day out there to wreck any boat. Most smaller boats are relatively tender - this is not a terrible thing. They trade stiffness for light weight and responsiveness. Tuck a reef and call it good. On my 25 I have two reefs and am having a third added this winter. Justin - O'day Owners' web
Instability of any boat...
can usually be linked to an inexperienced skipper. Boats are not designed and built to be unstable. Instead, they all have their limitations. Good skippers, who knows their boats, do not exceed those limitations. Warwick to Newport to Block Island to Cuttyhunk, through Woods Hole to Edgartown to Nantucket to Falmouth to Vineyard Haven, back through Woods Hole to Newport and back home to Warwick in conditions ranging from calm to furious and not one single problem with my 272LE. Read the reviews, take the boat out for a test sail (if possible) and see if you're comfortable with it. Before I bought this boat, I read reviews, spoke with owners, discussed the boat with surveyors, and finally test sailed it...time and money well spent. Anything I can do to help, just e-mail me. Good luck. Cheers, Bob Lazybones II
can usually be linked to an inexperienced skipper. Boats are not designed and built to be unstable. Instead, they all have their limitations. Good skippers, who knows their boats, do not exceed those limitations. Warwick to Newport to Block Island to Cuttyhunk, through Woods Hole to Edgartown to Nantucket to Falmouth to Vineyard Haven, back through Woods Hole to Newport and back home to Warwick in conditions ranging from calm to furious and not one single problem with my 272LE. Read the reviews, take the boat out for a test sail (if possible) and see if you're comfortable with it. Before I bought this boat, I read reviews, spoke with owners, discussed the boat with surveyors, and finally test sailed it...time and money well spent. Anything I can do to help, just e-mail me. Good luck. Cheers, Bob Lazybones II
A Question Justin...
You mentioned your adding a third set of reefing points. Your thoughts please on the sails ability to weather the forces (clothweight, material quality, stitching etc.) within the wind speed necessary for such a sail reduction (50%)? I'm curious, as I had 2 reef points in my original main, and only have 1 now in my newish main. I kinda miss the second set of points. My loft advised that the sail was not built to take conditions necessary for a third set. They recommended hoisting a gale or try. What are your thoughts? Don
You mentioned your adding a third set of reefing points. Your thoughts please on the sails ability to weather the forces (clothweight, material quality, stitching etc.) within the wind speed necessary for such a sail reduction (50%)? I'm curious, as I had 2 reef points in my original main, and only have 1 now in my newish main. I kinda miss the second set of points. My loft advised that the sail was not built to take conditions necessary for a third set. They recommended hoisting a gale or try. What are your thoughts? Don
Heavy versus strong
most older GRP boats are much heavier than the newer boats. As designers gained more knowledge of the material properties and failure modes and effects they have managed to reduce weight for better performance without necessarily reducing required strength. Newer materials extend that further such as kevlar and carbon fiber. Assuming your rig attachments are of adequate strength I would be more concerned with the design properties of the boat, like righting moments, and how well the boat is balanced. Dave
most older GRP boats are much heavier than the newer boats. As designers gained more knowledge of the material properties and failure modes and effects they have managed to reduce weight for better performance without necessarily reducing required strength. Newer materials extend that further such as kevlar and carbon fiber. Assuming your rig attachments are of adequate strength I would be more concerned with the design properties of the boat, like righting moments, and how well the boat is balanced. Dave
O'Day 272 1987 Stability
I have owned and sailed my 1987 272 w/wing keel. I have never found it necessary to reef beyond the 1st set of points. The boat is tender, but rarely do I bury the rail. She will round up just when the rail hits the water. Best practice is to watch for wind shifts and ease the traveler as necessary to keep her from rounding up. Over-all I love this boat as its very forgiving.
I have owned and sailed my 1987 272 w/wing keel. I have never found it necessary to reef beyond the 1st set of points. The boat is tender, but rarely do I bury the rail. She will round up just when the rail hits the water. Best practice is to watch for wind shifts and ease the traveler as necessary to keep her from rounding up. Over-all I love this boat as its very forgiving.
Don - sail thoughts
Don - As both of us always answer - I guess it depends.
My main was new last summer - built by Doyle. It is a heavy cruising sail and is toward the battleship mentality in terms of stiching and construction. I had it assessed by a local loft I trust - the guys I take my sails to yearly for cleaning and any necessary repair. They felt that it is plenty strong. (On the other hand they chuckled that I race with it since its not the lightest sail out there). It is fully battened which helps since it will flogg less. The deep reef will be set up to have similar area to a trysail. I hope to never use it other than making sure its rigged right. My thought is not to use it on really windy days on which I want to sail. I'm thinking more of something to get me home if the weather really stinks up and to make the boat heave-to with a more bow up mentality. If I wreck sail I guess its ok - you have to have made it home to be mad, right? All of this came about after getting the snot knocked out of me two summers ago. Been thinking about it since - originally I was going to buy a dedicated storm main but I can't justify it on my student budget with the way this boat actually gets used. Justin -
Don - As both of us always answer - I guess it depends.
My main was new last summer - built by Doyle. It is a heavy cruising sail and is toward the battleship mentality in terms of stiching and construction. I had it assessed by a local loft I trust - the guys I take my sails to yearly for cleaning and any necessary repair. They felt that it is plenty strong. (On the other hand they chuckled that I race with it since its not the lightest sail out there). It is fully battened which helps since it will flogg less. The deep reef will be set up to have similar area to a trysail. I hope to never use it other than making sure its rigged right. My thought is not to use it on really windy days on which I want to sail. I'm thinking more of something to get me home if the weather really stinks up and to make the boat heave-to with a more bow up mentality. If I wreck sail I guess its ok - you have to have made it home to be mad, right? All of this came about after getting the snot knocked out of me two summers ago. Been thinking about it since - originally I was going to buy a dedicated storm main but I can't justify it on my student budget with the way this boat actually gets used. Justin -- Status