Should I buy an O'Day 28?

[Michael Kidwell]

I'm looking at a very well equipped 28 from the early 80's. Seems to be in good condition save for an area of repaired deck delamination around the starboard chain plate. An area of deck roughly 4' by 2' has been replaced. Some staining of wood where chainplate bolts to bulkhead and, as you would expect, mildew under fabric hull lining on starboard side.Here are my questions:1. Should the repaired hull delamination scare me away?2. Are there other common O'Day 28 problems that I should look for prior to committing to a survey?3. What's a typical going rate for a well equipped and (other than delamination) clean 1982 28?Thanks for your helpmichael_savant@hotmail.com

 

[todd alt]

Oday 28

Michael, I have owned an Oday 28 for 9 years. Generally - good boat. My 28 is an 84, and I was lucky to get a good one from the original owner, but they are pretty much the same. I think that 19k in my area for an 82 much as you described is average - I am on Lake Erie in Ohio. If the delaminating area has been repaired - I wouldn't worry. However, my 1984 model has navtec rods taking the load of the shrouds - no chain plates on bulkhead. I remember looking at a 1982 model and it had leaks just as you described - maybe a nagging problem. Leaks around stanchions or other deck fittings are not uncommon. Stains under the haul liner fabric can be caused by moisture or former leaks. Many 28s seem to suffer from cracking of companionway bulkhead - this is caused by not loosening ladder when hauling - this only pertains to stainless ladders that attach to bulkhead. I think maybe your 1982 has a shorter wood ladder which uses the counter-top as the first step. I had broken tabbing beneath the v -birth. My surveyor found it and I laid up some glass on it and it has been solid as a rock for nine years. A good surveyor is worth the money - they can see things that you cannot. Look for a weakened cockpit floor, possibly caused by the wheel (if you have a wheel and pedestal). Crazing of non-skid is not uncommon - especially where some knot head has dropped something heavy. The Oday 28 is a really good buy for the money and mine has served me well for years. You have to realize that a boat that is 20years old is going to have it's little problems. Todd

 

[Paul Mieszczenski]

If it floats...YES!!

Michael, Anything can be fixed. As long as the hull is sound and there are no soft spots in the deck, anything else is just maintainence of a 20 year old boat. My wife and I purchased our '85, 28 in March of '01. We took a calculated risk and sailed her all the way from North Carolina to Key Largo without doing anything but an oil change. The boat performed flawlessly. She was in very good shape but we completely refurbished below decks anyway. It took every weekend from August to December to do it, but we now have a beautiful yacht down below. The topsides were in fine shape so all that is left to do is the varnish work. The boat is very comfortable and sails like a dream. I thought that I gave up racing 14 years ago, but every time I sail this boat I start thinking well it's about time for new sails anyway.... I have sailed on many boats and I am convinced that I own one of the better ones built in this size range. YachtWorld.com has 3 listed from $18,000 to $28,000. Hope this helps, PM