I am getting ready to look at a couple O'Day 26 boats, one outboard & one inboard. Photos look great- of course. What are signs of trouble that I should look for? For example is any water in the bilge "normal"?
Things to look for
- Thread starter dbonifield
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If there is water in the bilge it doesn't necessarily mean that it's coming in below the water line. Although it could be, or maybe the self bailing cockpit hose. It could be coming in around the chain plates or the gunwale molding. These things can be corrected if you can find them.
You say that one of the OD 26 sloops is an inboard. If it's inboard diesel, then it's worth looking into. if it's a gasoline two stroke sail drive, I'd pass it up for the sloop with the outboard. Chances are, the sail drive is going to have some issues, and parts are hard to find. You'll wind up taking it out and mounting an outboard on the stern which is costly considering that you'll need to mount a special block for that pricey heavy duty bracket that is needed for a four stroke outboard. With that said though, I have a friend who likes sail drives.
The outboard sloop will have a vented fuel locker under the cockpit seat and that is a plus. The inboard will have the gasoline tank in the bilge with the engine and I'm not too keen on that set up.
I would check for water marks on the bulkhead around the chain plates and water marks on the fabric inside just under the gunwale. The O'Day 26 is a nice boat. My friends Ray and Charlene own one with outboard power, and they love it.
Joe
I have a 1985 Oday 26 and I love it also. Here are a couple of things to look for... leaks from the chain plate (as on all boats) this will show up as a brownish color on the floor, and rot at the bottom of the bulkheads...if rot on bulks then look for rot at compression post....look for leaks from any or all of the top deck fittings (all mine leaked and I will need to repair the roof top at the mast step area( not a monster of a job but not a 1 day either)....check for loose wrench bolts....My inboard is great--go for the inboard--- check for fuel guage, V belt/impeller/filter conditions....If a lot of hours on engine check shaft bearings. You may see a couple of mods that have been done to my boat in the 26 modification section. Last... check that the instrument panel is not broken up ( I had to make a replacement). good luck.. Dave
go to my profile page and check my album called oday rebuild, it has a lot of pix of things to check.
good luck and be skeptical
keith
Emergpa1..... Some time when the you have the time I would like to come to see your boat. I have a relitive in Huntsville so i could do 2 things a 1 time. Drop me a line KDSSAIL@HOTMAIL.COM.........sorry to use this way for a message but I could not find a better way.............Dave
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