Dieter, Congratulations!!
Dieter,For information on parts, accessories, and owners manuals, go to the Home Page and click on Oday links, then Oday Web Ring, and from there Oday Parts and Accessories. You will enter the wonderful world of Rudy Nickerson, probably the most frequently recommended parts and accessories supplier at this (or any other) site for Oday sailboats. His phone number is (508)644-3001. Fax is (508)644-3002.Stepping and unstepping the mast on the 272 can be tricky because it is somewhat difficult to line up the hinge on the step with the plate on the cabin top before trying to raise the mast. I always worried about breaking the ears off the plate. I recently removed the old step after struggling with it for 6 yrs. and replaced it with a Dwyer tabernacle step which required some machining and refitting. I am now able to raise and lower the mast using a gin pole without the assistance of the boatyard folks. I would not try to step the mast myself the first time if I were you. If you were to tip the mast slightly to one side or the other while raising it, the ears which align the mast with the deck-mounted step plate could twist out of alignment or snap off. My advice is to have the boatyard folks do it for you using the crane at the launch until you understand it better, or get some help from another ODay owner who has stepped the mast. I have an owners manual for my '86 272 which I inherited from the previous owner when I purchased the boat. I have found it useful in a lot of ways. Hopefully you can get one through Rudy Nickerson. If not I could fax you some specific pages if there is something in the manual that speaks to a problem or question you have about the boat that can't be answered on this site.One last suggestion. Check out the reviews for the 272 and 272LE. Go to Boat Reviews on the Home Page and select the 272. There are reviews and a list of owners on that page. I'm listed there and would be happy to talk to you about the boat if you want to send me an e-mail.Enjoy your new toy!!Tom Ehmke