Oday Widgeon Age

[John From Maine]

I recently bought a used Oday Widgeon. I am trying to determine when the boat was made. The hull number is 3226 and the class number is 2547. The person I bought the boat from also bought it used and had no idead of it's age. The bow area is decked over if that helps, if the widgeon went through different configuration over the years.

Thanks for any assistance.

 

[Sunbird22358]

Well, those numbers do not add up...... I think that Hull# is missing a digit. My 1969 Widgeon was Hull# 22698 and Class# 1791. Hull# refers to total number of boats built by O'DAY, (all models) and Class# is how many Widgeons (yours is theoretically the 2547th Widgeon built.)

If the bow area is decked over (and the seats are molded as part of the deck) then she is a 1971 model or newer. The fact that you are quoting a Hull# and Class# (and not a HIN) tells me that she was built prior to Nov. 1, 1972.So, I would be pretty certain that she is a 1971 or 1972 model. Based on the Class#, I'd say 1971. One more clue, does she have a small compartment (covered) at the forward end of the port-side seat? If so, that indicates 1971 or 1972. That "ice box" was eliminated on the 1973 model.

 

[John From Maine]

Thanks for the reply. I'll double check those numbers and take a picture. The bow is decked over and the seats are molded in. No openings anywhere other than the mast opening. Speaking of the mast opening, when I bought it the hole was in real rough shape. Looked like a blind person was trying to step the mast. I have since re-fiberglassed the hole. Hope to get it in the water soon.

 

[John From Maine]

Heres a pix of the hull # & class #. There doesn't look like any other numbers.

 

[Sunbird22358]

O'Day didn't always do a great job stamping those plates, I think they flubbed the digit between 3 and 2. If she doesn't have the built-in cooler, she might be an early (built between August and October) 1973 model.