I am looking at an Oday 302, and noticed some cracks at the forward corners of the cockpit seats. I had heard there were issues with hull flexing under load, and wonder if these cracks are a reason to stay away. There are also splits at the top of the keel... I have seen similar cracks on every 302 I have seen.
Question on ODay 302 crack
- Thread starter sidw
- Start date
I would suggest making the purchase contingent on a survey. I have seen those cracks on many a keel and they aren't a big deal. The crack in the cockpit cannot be fully appreciated until you dig it out and see how deep it goes. An insurance company is going to want a survey anyways, so if you like the boat otherwise, spend the money and get a survey.
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 23,342
As the years go by and the boat is sailed not left in a marina, the gel coat will develop stress cracks. They are mostly cosmetic. They can be removed with some good gel coat repair techniques.
The keel may be more problematic. You need to check bolts. Likely the boat ran aground and put stress on the keel root. If sound, the crack can be faired with an epoxy fairing compound and painted with an epoxy barrier coat. 2 coats is usually applied.
Good luck.
The keel may be more problematic. You need to check bolts. Likely the boat ran aground and put stress on the keel root. If sound, the crack can be faired with an epoxy fairing compound and painted with an epoxy barrier coat. 2 coats is usually applied.
Good luck.
The crazing at the seats is probably just cosmetic and not a big deal. Corners are susceptible to that kind of problem as it’s hard to lay the glass just right. They could probably be ground out and repaired without too much trouble, as long as there is no water ingress into the core.
The cracking at the keel joint is a little reason for concern in a 302/322. There have been reports that on some hulls O’Day did not put as much glass in the keel sump as the design called for. In the worst cases a couple of hulls have lost their keels for that reason. Other owners have checked their sumps and found plenty of thickness. I’d definitely have a surveyor check that out, and I’d make sure they were aware of that specific issue with the 302/322 series. Search the archives here for more details on that.
The cracking at the keel joint is a little reason for concern in a 302/322. There have been reports that on some hulls O’Day did not put as much glass in the keel sump as the design called for. In the worst cases a couple of hulls have lost their keels for that reason. Other owners have checked their sumps and found plenty of thickness. I’d definitely have a surveyor check that out, and I’d make sure they were aware of that specific issue with the 302/322 series. Search the archives here for more details on that.
I had a 1988 302 whose keel detached after a soft grounding and the tide receding. I was told that the keel sump called for 6 layers of glass but a bunch of them went out with only two layers (they outsourced the construction). The bottom of my keel sump was only about 1/4" thick and just ripped out. Others have reported 3/4" thickness in the sump - seems like the later models are the ones with the deficiency. The sump can be built up with glass to reinforce it - mine was rebuilt and was very solid afterwards.
I am no expert, but I don’t think that the gel coat cracks are a problem…more cosmetic.
The keel joint doesn’t look bad to me. There is a seam there. It doesn’t look like it was fared over and cracked…just the joint that wasn’t fared.
I would have the boat surveyed, and let the surveyor know your concerns so he can look at it carefully.
Also check the keel sump area for cracks and the keel bolts for tightness.
When I bought my 322, I had the boat hauled and the keel specifically inspected. Since then, I have tightened the keel bolts every few years (usually can’t get 1/4 turn on them). This spring, I found out a little of the faring at the keel joint to see what it looked like under the fairing…I was pleasantly surprised…a very solid joint and no cracking.
I am going on 6 or 7 years with my O322, and put her through some rough seas on Lake Michigan (but no groundings), and I feel very safe.
Greg
The keel joint doesn’t look bad to me. There is a seam there. It doesn’t look like it was fared over and cracked…just the joint that wasn’t fared.
I would have the boat surveyed, and let the surveyor know your concerns so he can look at it carefully.
Also check the keel sump area for cracks and the keel bolts for tightness.
When I bought my 322, I had the boat hauled and the keel specifically inspected. Since then, I have tightened the keel bolts every few years (usually can’t get 1/4 turn on them). This spring, I found out a little of the faring at the keel joint to see what it looked like under the fairing…I was pleasantly surprised…a very solid joint and no cracking.
I am going on 6 or 7 years with my O322, and put her through some rough seas on Lake Michigan (but no groundings), and I feel very safe.
Greg