Soft Foredeck

[Bob Holland]

I am currently looking at a 76 O'Day 25. Although the boat needs updating it appears to be sound except for one concern. The foredeck is a little springy. I am not familiar with this boat and wondered if this is normal or it is an indication that the core is rotten or compromised. Thanks in advance for any advice on this matter.gate48@cs.com

 

[Steve Growcock]

verify with a survey

I'm 200lbs and the fordeck on my 1981 25' oday foredeck is fairly firm when standing on it. There may be structural differences in the 76 model, however, if interested in this boat, I would suggest a survey. Others may have be able to assist you. Steve!

 

[Don Evans]

Doesn't Sound Good

I have the exact same boat and year and the foredeck is rock solid. Thats 1/2" marine plywood up there, across a narrow span to boot. Unless your getting this boat for a song, or there is something else unique about her I'd consider walking. The repair is fairly complex if covering a large area. Not impossible but a royal pain in the butt. There are lots of 25's out there. Your call, but if you do decide to buy her, factor in the repair into the final price and check back for other help. Good luck.Don

 

[John Folds]

Depending On The Deal

A Soft foredeck is a concern, but if you can use it to leverage a good deal on the boat I would go for the repair. It is some work, but over all it is not to difficult if you take your time. There are some good books that will walk you straight through it although I cannot remember the titles off hand, but I can post them later. I just finished this same repair on a 23 foot montgomery and it is solid as a rock.

 

[Robert Krosse]

This response is to Don Evans. After selling our CS22 boat, our dream is to own an Oday 25, but have run into boats with similar soft (delaminated) deck problems. Do you or anybody know of any 25 footer for sale in Ontario/Quebec which doesn't have this problem? Thanks

 

[Don Evans]

O'Day 25's

Hi Robert, nice to hear from a neighbour. I wish I could point you in the direction of a nice used 25 close by, but alas there just is not that many that become available in Ontario. There were a few dealers that carried some models back in the seventies, but the vast majority are only available in the US. I assume you are letting brokers know you are searching? I may be wrong here but I heard last year that Phill Morris was selling his 25. You can reach him at his homepage http://members.kingston.net/morris/sailing.htmlI'll keep my ears open for any leads. Could you email me your addy? Reach me at evansdo@vianet.on.caDon

 

[dave]

foreck

i also am in phila and have a 25 that i searched for 5 months to find. good ones are out there and i have had 4 odays and never had a "soft" deck problem anywhere so walk away from that one and as always a survey is amust..good luck