O'day specs drive me crazy

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James

Ok, here goes! I hate sounding dumb, but I know I just restored an O'day 23. It's old being a 1973. The crazy thing is that every specification that I have ever seen is different and practically nothing before 1978. Mine has the gold mast, cast iron swing keel and motorwell cutout. It does not have a port hatch in the cockpit and the mast measures 29 feet. It has a split back stay and three side stays each side. It makes me feel like every specification has been modified in some way. Even the hull numbers don't help when they seem to be one digit shy. xdyk4730573 Does anyone have any information specific to a 1973 O'day 23 that they can share with me. It is a non-poptop. The restoration was a lot of work and I am very proud of her. I think I just would like to know a few things that pertain to this age of boat. Thanks
 
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Sailirmannj

I have a 1972

I have a 1972, sounds like the same boat. Mine is a poptop. Great boat. I have a paper copy of an old catalog that may be of help. What info are you looking for?
 
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James

response to sailirmannj

Thanks for the response sailirmannj. I guess what I am looking for is confirmation on the specs. To see all the specs on one page that add up to a 1973 O'day 23 would be cool. At this point all I can do is guess. How much does the cast iron keel weigh? What is the sail area of the main? leech, luff, foot? I have found 5 different spec sheets for sail size of O'day 23. Each could work but all different in some little way. Then to top it off....my mast seems to be taller than any of them. Just anything would be cool, not that it really matters. Just curious. Outland@onslowonline.net.....contact me. Thanks
 
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Keith

I have a 1973, too

I have a 1973 O'day 23, also. It is called a "covertible" model, per the O'day brochure of its year of manufacture. Some call them pop-tops, but the cabin roof that raises is only the portion aft of the mast step. My mast is 26'-10" from step to tip. You may have the racing version that was available in the early 1970's; my brochure says it had a 3' taller mast and a deeper rudder. I have the same split back stay and 3 side stays (1 to top, 2 to mid). I do not have a motor cutout; my outboard is on a retracting scissors bracket mounted on the starboard side of the transom. The cast iron fixed shoal keel is 1,250 lbs., and has a swinging fiberglass/lead centerboard inside. I had to replace my centerboard this year due to grounding damage on a shallow mooring at lunar low tide. Serial number is curious. I start with XDYK, but have 6 digits before the 73. You are right about the spec sheets. Most available specs on this website are for the later 23s. Late 70s and 80s have fiberglass/ballasted keels, have a different cabin layout, have a fuel locker (the hatch in the port seat) in the cockpit, and are actually not the full 23' long. I have the sales brocure (from Rudy at D&R Marine) for the early model and it would seem that my boat has pretty much been kept in original form over the years. My bow pulpit, rigging, lifelines, motor, etc. are all as shown. I am documenting rigging, sail plan, and features for reference. Let me know if you have any specific questions. I am also interested in Mark's website. Mark...what is the link? I can't find you.
 
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Mark

for keith

Keith, My personal O'day 23 site is at http://netnet.net/~reiland/ I've got plans on that side for my particular boat. But yes, you are so true! O'Day made many versions of the 23, always a joy when trying to find original information. I'll be adding more to my site sometime soon, including a listing for other O'Day 23 owners. Glad to meet you also! Mark
 
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James

Another one for Keith

Hello Keith, Thanks for the great information. You are the first source to mention a taller mast by source. You mentioned that your HIN has a K for the model also. It would be interesting to know what was common to the "K" for a 23ft, one being a convertable and one being a fixed top. If you think of any other differences please email me at outland@onslowonline.net. I would love to see a copy of your brochure. I am not obsesed with the information, but just fascinated till sailing season starts. Thanks again for the comment and information. James
 
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Jonathan Rhodes

To Keith

Keith I would be interested to know where you got your replacement fibreglass/lead centreboard. How much does it weigh and how much does it cost ? Tks Jonathan
 
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Keith

For Jonathan on Centerboards

I got my replacement centerboard at D&R Marine (www.drmarine.com). Rudy at D&R is very knowledgeable on O'day parts, and he has recently expanded his website considerably. He had 2 other customers needing O'day 23 centerboards this winter, so he had them made up. It is my understanding that it is the same size/shape as the O'day 25, but a little bit shorter. My new one looks terrific, and Rudy fitted it with a new 1/4" soft wire pendant and shackle for retracting. I will reuse the 1" SS pivot pin and Plastic bushing when I get the boat off the trailer and up in slings this summer. The centerboard assembly weighs about 50 lbs. The price of the assembly was a little under $500; check Rudy's website for current pricing and a picture. Good luck.
 
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