Old ODay 23

Tim R. · Jan 21, 2009

It likely needs more money than it will be worth. 99% of the boats out there are not good investments even if someone gives it to you. The only happiness you will find here is the pleasure of fixing it up and sailing. Forget about the money.

LANCE ON CLOUD NINE · Jan 21, 2009

You might want to ask if the center board works smoothly. Often the exposed iron keels rust and expand inside the slot. This will pinch and jamb the centerboard in the up position. It is a problem that can almost always be fixed but the manhours cost more than the boats are worth. Other wise, most repair parts are available. They are simple to keep going, fairly rugged and decent sailers

Ross · Jan 21, 2009

There are people who know the price of everything and the value of nothing. If you want to make ten thousand dollars in used boats then just invest twenty thousand and in a year or two you will have ten thousand.
The boat is a good boat but it is not an investment. Buy flour and make bread and sell that you will come out better.

Tim R. · Jan 21, 2009

I call this the roller coaster phenomenon. You don't invest in roller coaster to have fun. You simply pay for a ride and enjoy it. The only return is a smile

sailingandsuch · Jan 21, 2009

Jansen,

I disagree with the previous posts. I think buying old sailboats and fixing them up to sell is a good investment. There may not be a lot of money in it, although there is some to be made. My first "refit" went well, I bought a 83 Mac 25 and fixed it up and sold it and made about 2k.

The money was nice but the experience is what I enjoyed the most. I enjoyed it so much that I bought another project boat(check it out here http://www.sailingandsuch.com/south_coast_22.htm), a ......seventy something (it's slipping my mind at the moment) South Coast 22. I am currently restoring it to sail and sell. The South Coast I bought for a great deal less than the Mac 25 and it requires more work, but thats partially what I bought it for. I want to learn how to do the work on a small cheap boat so I can learn from my mistakes on something that doesn't break me if I ruin something.

Anyways, I think fixing up an old boat is a great experience and can be a decent way to make a little money on the side. Granted, if I figured up all the hours I spent on the Mac 25 I probably didn't make much profit but to me, the time I spent on it was a reward in itself.

Go for it!

P.S. You are not far north of me, I'm just a few hours south in Dothan. Also, if you do decide to get the boat, consider starting a blog at (http://www.blogger.com) or making a website documenting the restoration. It's all fun!

sailingdog · Jan 22, 2009

It very well may be worth restoring, and I would highly recommend you look at the Boat Inspection Trip Tips thread I wrote before you go to look at the boat critically and decide whether to take the boat on.

Jansen said:
After 18 years of membership a club member is retiring from sailing and selling his 1973 Oday. I am considering buying it either to restore or resell. It's in fair shape spending the last several years on a trailer (poor looking trailer). The price is reasonable and negotiable and includes an Evinrude 6hp, (old and needs some work).
Questions are: is it worth restoring, pros and cons of a boat this vintage, and what it is worth?

Prime Time · Jan 22, 2009

It depends. . . .

It depends on what needs to be done. When I restored my Mirage, it was more about time than expensive materials. I also considered the skills I learned as valuable. My boat had a diesel engine in great shape along with good standing rigging and usable sails.

BobM · Jan 23, 2009

It depends on what a reasonable price is. Whether or not the trailer has any life in it may be as critical as whether or not the boat is. The boat should probably sell for what the sails and the engine are worth in the condition that they are in. So, if it has a fair pair of working sails (say $500 worth) and an older 6hp Evinrude (worth maybe $300) I wouldn't pay more than $1-2K if the trailer needs a lot of work too. Fixed up, (cleaned, buffed, any obvious operational and cosmetic defects cured) she might be worth twice that if the trailer is also returned to safe use (wheels, tires, bearings, painted, welded, etc...).

Personally, unless I was going to sail her I wouldn't bother as selling a boat in this economy will be painful. Unless you get her really cheap, have a lot of time on your hands and enjoy working on boats. I also agree that any issue associated with the swing keel should make you either avoid her or cut the price significantly as it will be a huge pain.

rpwillia · Jan 23, 2009

There is an old Marine (USMC) saying ...

If it flies, floats or fornicates, rent it! It is cheaper in the long run!

Note I cleaned it up for the more prurient of you.

Ed Schenck · Jan 23, 2009

My Dad was a Marine. Sure wish he would have told me that!! But then what about the umpteen boats that he owned? Well people never do take their own advice.