I am planning to buy my first cruising boat after many years of sailing on club boats. One that I am interested in is the O'Day 28. I'm comparing it to roughly equivilent Catalinas. Being a cautious person, I like the fact that Catalina is still in business and provides some support to owners of older models, and that there are a lot of Catalina owners to get advice from. My question to this forum is where do you get your help from with questions on repairs, etc. Also, if you have opinions on O'Day 28s (and comparisons to Cat 27s), I'd of course be interested.
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Trevor - SailboatOwners.com
Oday support
Hi Alex - There is no arguing that you'll have more resources with information when it comes to a Catalina, when comparing with an Oday. However, there are a lot of Odays out sailing, and they have a solid reputation. You should consider this very site as a good resource for information from fellow Oday owners. Additionally, Rudy of D&R Marine is an excellent resource for parts (see Related link below). Best, Trevor
Hi Alex - There is no arguing that you'll have more resources with information when it comes to a Catalina, when comparing with an Oday. However, there are a lot of Odays out sailing, and they have a solid reputation. You should consider this very site as a good resource for information from fellow Oday owners. Additionally, Rudy of D&R Marine is an excellent resource for parts (see Related link below). Best, Trevor
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Paul Mieszczenski
No support necessary
Alex, The O'day 28 is such a well made, logically laid out, basic sailboat that there really is nothing that can't be owner or yard maintained or fixed. I have been through every system on my 1985 28 and have not yet come up with anything that I couldn't find a replacement or OEM part for. There are no wood parts that can't be made at your average high school shop and what metalwork there is approches bulletproof unless you have no clue how to dock. Her speed under sail is above average as long as the bottom is clean. If anyone were looking for a PHRF rule beater this sure would rate high in my book. I know that the Cat 27 is a fine boat; I came close to buying one many years ago, but I don't think the finish and the sailing capabilities are up to what you get in the O'day.PM
Alex, The O'day 28 is such a well made, logically laid out, basic sailboat that there really is nothing that can't be owner or yard maintained or fixed. I have been through every system on my 1985 28 and have not yet come up with anything that I couldn't find a replacement or OEM part for. There are no wood parts that can't be made at your average high school shop and what metalwork there is approches bulletproof unless you have no clue how to dock. Her speed under sail is above average as long as the bottom is clean. If anyone were looking for a PHRF rule beater this sure would rate high in my book. I know that the Cat 27 is a fine boat; I came close to buying one many years ago, but I don't think the finish and the sailing capabilities are up to what you get in the O'day.PM
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Mike
You choose
Alex: My good friend and slip mate (we share a dock in the summer; he on one side I on the other). My pal sails a '93 Catalalina MX28. It is a fine boat and about 13 years newer than my '80 O'day 28. I have had ample opportunity to compare the two vessels over the last five years and each boat has it's pluses and minuses. On the plus side for the O'day; 1. she is solid and stiff under sail. 2. points well 3. Has an interior lay out second to none for her length. 4. takes weather very well. 5. has a nice roomy cockpit 6. fairly easy to maintain. Her minuses: 1. quite slow under sail 2. deep(er) draft at 4'8" 3. sorta' old 4. galley (sink, ice box) lay out awkward 5. main sheet traveler in the cock pit 6. lack of storm hatch on the companion way hatch. 7. interior lights are sparse. The Catalina is very fast under sail, has a step through swim platform, has the traveler on deck and only draws 3'10". However the interior lay out is not as nice as the O'day and the sea bunks are stingy with thin uncomfortable cushions. On balance both are a good value for the dollar and each has many support groups to help an owner. Both are very safe boats and can be added to with ease. For my money I still choose the O'day. Whatever you choose I hope you enjoy the boat. Mike S/B Pitterpat, Lake Huron
Alex: My good friend and slip mate (we share a dock in the summer; he on one side I on the other). My pal sails a '93 Catalalina MX28. It is a fine boat and about 13 years newer than my '80 O'day 28. I have had ample opportunity to compare the two vessels over the last five years and each boat has it's pluses and minuses. On the plus side for the O'day; 1. she is solid and stiff under sail. 2. points well 3. Has an interior lay out second to none for her length. 4. takes weather very well. 5. has a nice roomy cockpit 6. fairly easy to maintain. Her minuses: 1. quite slow under sail 2. deep(er) draft at 4'8" 3. sorta' old 4. galley (sink, ice box) lay out awkward 5. main sheet traveler in the cock pit 6. lack of storm hatch on the companion way hatch. 7. interior lights are sparse. The Catalina is very fast under sail, has a step through swim platform, has the traveler on deck and only draws 3'10". However the interior lay out is not as nice as the O'day and the sea bunks are stingy with thin uncomfortable cushions. On balance both are a good value for the dollar and each has many support groups to help an owner. Both are very safe boats and can be added to with ease. For my money I still choose the O'day. Whatever you choose I hope you enjoy the boat. Mike S/B Pitterpat, Lake Huron
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David C. Hirtle
O'day vs. Catalina
Alex, the O'day is a great choice. Go back in the archives section of this site research some articles I written on the 28. To capsulize, five years ago, my wife, geriatric dachshund and I sailed south from here on our 28' O'day, 1980 version. Everything was original, including the raw water cooled, Universal 5411. She may not be the fasted boat in town, but as has ben mentioned, with good sails, and proper trim she is stiff, stable and will out-point many a similar craft. Regarding storagem she is well suited...lots of places to put gear. I'd be pleased to answer specific questions. We owned our girl for 10 years and the new owner loves her and has replaced the 5411, this year, after 24 years of no fault service. Good Choice.
Alex, the O'day is a great choice. Go back in the archives section of this site research some articles I written on the 28. To capsulize, five years ago, my wife, geriatric dachshund and I sailed south from here on our 28' O'day, 1980 version. Everything was original, including the raw water cooled, Universal 5411. She may not be the fasted boat in town, but as has ben mentioned, with good sails, and proper trim she is stiff, stable and will out-point many a similar craft. Regarding storagem she is well suited...lots of places to put gear. I'd be pleased to answer specific questions. We owned our girl for 10 years and the new owner loves her and has replaced the 5411, this year, after 24 years of no fault service. Good Choice.
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Lindauer
My vote is for the O'Day
Alex, I bought my 28 O'Day in the winter of 2000. After working, cruising, and raceing this boat, and compairing my boat to comparably sized boats, I have to say that the O'Day is one heck of a boat. It gets my vote. If you'd like to talk about it, e-mail me and we'll get together by phone. lindauer@fuse.net
Alex, I bought my 28 O'Day in the winter of 2000. After working, cruising, and raceing this boat, and compairing my boat to comparably sized boats, I have to say that the O'Day is one heck of a boat. It gets my vote. If you'd like to talk about it, e-mail me and we'll get together by phone. lindauer@fuse.net
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