Trading for an ODay (possible new owner)

[allanbranch]

Hi there, I'm possibly trading a man for an ODay 25. I've never owned an Oday and wanted to hopefully get some feedback on "things experienced Oday owners see when they look at these pictures".

I seek the wisdom of the group Here's the Craigslist ad.
http://panamacity.craigslist.org/boa/4825252588.html - Seeing any red flag? What should I look out for? I know about soft spots, leaks etc, anything particular to Odays to be aware of?

I've got a bit of sailing experience although I've never owned a boat over 18', mostly hobie cats and an 18' buccaneer. My family has a dock with a 8,000 pound lift on it where this Oday would rest.

The details of this trade are I have a 1978 CJ5 that I would swap him even for. From the research I've seen he's asking $12,000 which is more than other ODays. Even though it's a trade I want to make sure I get the most bang for my jeep trade.

This would be a weekender boat for my family, my kids are age 6 & 8 and we're always playing on the area's barrier islands. I don't want my excitement to put me into a trade I regret. Your help/knowledge is appreciated.

I've attached a few pictures of my jeep just for fun.

 

[CCrane2299]

I just sold an 1979 Oday 25 for $3500. It was a nice boat. I also sold a decent CJ 5 a couple of years back for $2500. So it would have been a good trade for me!
The only real problem with my Oday was the drain tube for the anchor locker had shrunk over the years and was draining right into the boat. This caused a lot of moisture in the boat and rotted the seat backs. It was an easy fix. After a lot of cleaning it looked like new.
Another issue, not Terrible, was the motor mount. The transom was very flexible and the mount had a small base. I bought a bigger motor mount and put a 12x12 aluminum plate inside and another outside. After that it was solid as a rock.
Make sure the center board isn't stuck. Mine was fine but I have heard that others had issues.
In my limited experience, the Oday was the finest boat I have ever personally sailed. If it has a trailer, mine didn't, it will make maintenance a whole lot easier.
The real downside to this is that you'll want another jeep. They are like a pocket knife, once you have one it just doesn't feel right without one.
Good luck

 

[Hydro Therapy]

It looks like a nice boat but really over priced. My suggestion would be to keep that beautiful Jeep and look for a better deal.

 

[allanbranch]

Thanks so much, great information.

 

[allanbranch]

I was going to talk to him about how he arrived at the $12,000 price. Any thoughts on what could realistically push an Oday price up above $9k? Newer sails?

 

[njlarry]

It might not really be for sale, just listed incase someone will make his dream come true. Or he might have felt the need for a lot of room to lower the price over time. Research the value on BUC, Blue Book and Yachtworld. Yachtworld prices are just listing prices not selling prices which are about 20 percent lower.
O'Days are great boats and a lot were made so once you decide if that is the model you want there are many more to chose from. A trailer is a big plus if you can store it at home, not so much if you plan to leave it always at a marina.

 

[CCrane2299]

You can find a cheaper boat and just buy it. Then, you can drive your jeep to the boat...= perfect day.

 

[Dakartimm]

I bought my 1981 Oday 25 ten years ago for $5500. Electric start extra long outboard,boat and a nice trailer.I'd say a mint Oday 25 might be worth maybe $8 k
While this boat looks extremely nice,I wouldn't say it's worth $12k.
Just remember window shopping is half the fun

 

[Apex]

Looks like the owner is trying to recover all of the work they put into it. Keeping a boat nice doesn't recover your funds unfortunately. Painted hull, custom cushions (mediocre job) and painted rudder are some flags I see. Painted hull is usually the point of no return, painted rudder above waterline in a darker color can create issues with warp due to heat, and cushions don't really devalue, rather provides a clue as to reasoning behind pricing valuation.

For that money a decent 28-30footer can be found. For a 25 it should beopping out at $10. I moved to O'Day 28 from Catalina 25. The C25 really was easy to sail, fast and seemed to hold up to age better than Oday 25's at our marina. The O'Day line has some nice features as compared to the Catalina.

Shop and compare, find rides and talk to owners...enjoy.

 

[allanbranch]

"Painted hull is usually the point of no return"

What do you mean?

Thanks so much for all the help thus far. It looks like everyone thinks he's overpriced on his value, but maybe my Jeep isn't worth $12k either.

 

[woodster]

how much can you replace the jeep for....... that is how much budget you have on the trade...if you can replace the jeep for say 4 g's and you trade for that boat then you have a 4 g boat then go out and get another jeep if you wish...there are a lot more jeeps than there are boats like that

 

[allanbranch]

Woody, I like your logic. The jeep could be replaced for around $9-11k. It's my weekend toy, I work from home and will probably buy an old truck once I sell my 18' buccaneer.

My trade logic is...

1) "what will bring my family the most joy?" We use our current little sailboat 25+ times per year and the jeep gets driven 400 miles per year. I love the jeep but we rarely use it, but it's fun on a nice day.

2) Am I getting a decent deal? He's probably overestimating his value but maybe I'm doing the same in his eyes.

3) I'd rather trade the jeep than fork out the cash. I've got $11,500 in it and I paid $8,500 for it.

I don't know if I need the 25 model but I need something that can 1) fit on our boat lift, we have a shallow bay the 125 foot dock only sits at 3.5 feet at high tide. 2) Fits me, my wife and two small kids. 3) I can put on a trailer and take to the keys. 4) I feel like this size boat is a good intermediary step between the 18' buccaneer we have and something +30 feet.

Also buying a cheaper jeep and working on it sounds like a fun challenge.

-------

Does anyone see an red flags on the boat? Everyone has been super helpful, the ODay community is ace, thanks so much already.

 

[woodster]

how long have you had the jeep? look up the blue book value on it and look at the loan value real close

your kids will get older sooner than you think and be off on other adventures...then will you and your wife be happy with the sailing thing ....

as far as the draw backs on the boat it may be best to have a knowledgeable person help you survey it or even get a surveyor to look at it

 

[njlarry]

Woodster is right, always have a boat surveyed before buying if only to find what work needs to be done BUT surveys are expensive so find a friend with a moisture meter and survey the boat yourselves first. If you cant' find any major problems then have a pro look it over.
"Point of no return"-once a boat is painted the only way to maintain it is more painting, you can't just polish it anymore. Painted boats are generally worth less because of this.

 

[jibes138]

My kids grew up around a Catalina 25 and the beach. Fantastic memories they will have for life. Catching bluefish trolling, body surfing at the beach, visiting all kinds of fun places along the coast. Your kids are at a good age to really enjoy a boat with them. I agree this one is too expensive, shop around but go ahead and give them those memories.

 

[CCrane2299]

People will typically over price something they want to trade, or Will price it at what they want to trade for.
If you sail a lot, and jeep only occasionally, and assuming the jeep is paid for, you don't have much risk in the deal. I'd make sure the boat is solid and follow my gut. A CJ5 isn't very family friendly.

 

[woodster]

there is a 27 ft o day listed on this site in the boats for sale section ...you may want to look at that as well

 

[OdayDave]

I paid about $6k for a 1983 O'Day 25 with a nice inboard and a trailer. The boat was in decent but certainly not pristine condition and there was one big job that I had to tackle in the second year I owned it. The area under the mast step (i.e., the plate where the base of the mast attaches to the deck) had suffered from water intrusion which meant that the balsa core sandwiched between the deck and the internal headliner had gotten saturated with water. I had cut that out and reglass it. It wasn't a difficult job but it was time consuming. I did learn a lot doing it, and had I noticed it at the point of sale, I probably could have gotten another $1k knocked off. You should check for water intrusion at that point, as well as at chainplates. If you see any dark staining on the bulkheads, that is a telltale sign that the bulkheads might be compomised. I didn't have that problem but if I did, again that's not a deal-breaker because it can be fixed by anyone that is comfortable with woodworking tools. But if the problem exists, that also knocks the price down. Check for soft-spots on the deck which is another sign of water intrusion.

In my opinion, the boat is over-priced and there are a lot of similar boats in good condition that are more reasonable. With that said, the 25 is a good boat for day sailing and weekend cruising with small kids. I did that for years with my O'Day 222 and the 25 would have been luxurious by comparison.

Good luck,

Dave
s/v Lagniappe
O'Day 25

 

[Ward H]

I paid $3800 for my 1980 O'day 25 in 2011. It was well taken care of, the cushions are in very good shape and even still has the tubs in the storage bins.
Sails are in good shape but main cover was shot and no bimini or dodger. No upgrades except it did have the transom reinforced and new bracket in Yamaha OB in 2002.

If that boat is as pretty in person as in the pics and has no hidden issues, that $12k high. Around $8k would be more like it in my humble opinion.

As for the 25 being a good boat. We love ours. Handles/sails well, very comfortable while having basic mechanicals to help keep the maint. costs down. Roomy inside.
Probably would be a good choice for your family except for one thing, which is not a show stopper.
The 25 has a high freeboard and needs a good ladder if your going to swim from it. Then you will need to climb over or through the pushpit. You'll probably need a 5 step ladder to get it deep enough to climb on while getting you high enough to step onto the transom. I'd be concerned that little swim platform the guy added would not be enough and complicate installing a new ladder.

There are a few 25's and 26's in my marina and no one likes their ladder.

 

[Ward H]

After some thought, You might want to consider a removable side ladder. Probably easier to use and no railing to climb over.