O'day HIstory?

[Mike]

Hi allNewbie question...I recently purchased my first O'day (1983 34'). Prior to the purchase, I heard good things about O'days from a couple of surveyors and from owner reviews I could find on the net. However, I haven't been able to find much about the history of the company. I did a search here in the archives (admittedly, a relatively quick search) and didn't find anything.So can anyone fill me in on the history of the company? As best I could tell, it looked like they got sold or something in the early nineties, but maybe the Japanese are still building boats under their name? Any information would be much appreciated.Thanks in advance for any info!MikeTampa, FL

 

[Mike McIntire]

O'Day history

Mike,O'Day, like many builders, struggled through the eighties and was acquired & sold a few times by conglomerates (Lear-Siegler, Bangor Punta, etc.). They finally folded in 1989 (I think).The good news is that parts are still available. Rudy Nickerson at D&R Marine was O'Days parts manager, and he acquired their remaining parts inventory when they folded. He also has parts fabricated, and builds some O'Days from the molds.www.odaysailboats.comIt's always good to talk to him by phone, much more reliable that that newfangled email...HTH,MikePS: O'Day Japan did acquire some molds and apparently are building boats, don't know much about that...