'Survivor' restoration

[Jonathan Rhodes]

This is a cry for help from an ex Hobie 16 sailor (25 years) whose wife wants to swap trapeezing and swimming for gin and tonics on the deck of an Oday.I have recently acquired what I think is an Oday 23 (apologies to MArk for incorrect identification) - plate number XDYL038?1172 (sorry, can't read the whole number)in Port au Prince, Haiti. I want to restore this old lady back to good sailing order - she last sailed some 18 months ago. Due to my lack of experience in restoration and with Oday's, I am asking for your kind collective assistance in this 'Survivor' style project, as tools and supplies are often hard to come by here. Lack of knowledge however is made up with buckets of enthusiasm, plenty of helping hands and a skilled carpenter. The main problems are :1. Corroded keel (see photo), 2. barrier coat / bottom paint missing (yellow hull/gel coat - see photo), 3. no centreboard, 4. bow deck 'soft under foot' 5 two small holes in the upper deck, 6. all wooden runners and rails rotten.Overall the hull is in good shape with no structural damage or cracks to be seen. There are a few knocks to the rubrail, but that's it. Some of the stays and maybe the mainsail also need replacing.Any and all your help would be greatly appreciated in this labour of love. Many thanks in advance and watch this space for the updates ....ThanksJonathan

 

[J.B. Dyer]

Big Job

Welcome to the world of O'Day. You got a big job on your hands. The only way to deal with the keel which is obviously cast iron,is to sandblast or grind it down to clean metal and then put a couple of coats of epoxy, prime and bottom coat. Based on the way it looks, it will probably also have to be rebedded.A lot of your needs can be dealt with through items that are unique to all sail boats, lines, pully's, etc.For items that are unique to the O'day, contact Mr. Rudy Nickerson who has a listing under www.odaysailboats.com or 1-508-644-3002 in Assonet, MA. He has the most extensive supply of O'Day parts that you will find anywhere. I doubt if you will be finding any spare O'Day parts there.As for the other problems you described, soft deck, rotten wood, etc., you can check in the archive section of this web site and find a lot of ideas and remedys concerning that and any other problems that you might be having.Good Luck!

 

[Don Evans]

Restoration

Jonathan, just some clarification on your boat. Are you sure you don't have a 1972 O'Day 22. That iron keel is a clue to me. You also mentioned you need a centreboard. Is this so? Not too sure here but I thought the shoaldraft keel/centreboard combo was on a lead encapsulated keel, not iron. Also, I believe the model identifier is the letter L in your HIN, but I'm not sure what model it is referring too. At any rate you do have some work, and expense cut out for you. Really the only concern I see here is the soft deck. This could be more extensive than you think and be a big job. Everything else you mention is just time and money and if your up for it, it can be restored. Your big ticket buys will be the replacement of shrouds/stays, mainsail and upholstery if needed. And an auxillary outboard if you have to purchase one. The replacement of parts can exceed the purchase price of the boat. You probably know that already.Don

 

[Justin - O'day Owners' Web]

Fun project

Congratuations on your new baby. As the guys point out its going to be a big job but when you've finished it will be well worth it in terms of personal satisfaction.Look at www.westsystem.com for good information on both the soft deck and encapsulating the keel. You'll have to sandblast it but as unpleasant as it may be it will only be one or two ugly days. Remember to prime it immediately to avoid oxidation between blasting and painting.Let us know how we can help along the way -Justin - O'day Owners' Web