Trailering O'day 23 and 25 questions

Griffinroydonald · May 31, 2013

I would go with the 23' boat and your current tow vehicle. You may be able to pull the larger boat but will be at the top of load range. I pull a 23' San Juan with a Mini van all the time and have had no problems after 5 years. I always load the boat so the weight is around 2o lbs on the ball of the trailer hitch and there are no problems pulling and stopping.
I have built an A- frame to raise and lower the mast by myself. I use the top mounted winch and just crank it up. I have had many people stop and watch the mast raise and then come over and tell me how easy it looked. I just tell them it was easy and anyone could do it single handed.

tkanzler · May 31, 2013

I'd probably go for the 23 footer also. Depending on vintage, the displacement shows as 3100 lb or 3400 lb, not counting engine and anything but the boat itself. Closer to 4k by the time you're done outfitting for actual use, plus 1k for a 2-axle trailer puts you at or over 5k lb. That's the limit on the Grand Cherokee unless it's got the heavy-duty tow package (7400 lb tow cap.), and given the size of the vehicle, I wouldn't push it with the heavier (4k for the bare boat) 25 except for around town. I can't find minimum draft specs for the 25, but the 23 shows 2 ft of water. It's something to consider if the intent is to trailer launch on a regular basis.

My Highlander has the 5k factory tow package, but the Odyssey minivan tows it better due to the longer wheelbase and wider track.

They're both sharp looking boats, though.

Oh, and unless there's something different about the mast step arrangement, there's no reason you couldn't rig a gin pole for the 25. Baby stays, to keep the mast from falling over sideways when raising it, are a must, especially if you're doing it by yourself.

cb32863 · May 31, 2013

I have an O'Day 25 and I tow it with my 2006 Explorer with a V8 and tow package. The boat is about 4000 or so pounds and folks always add 1000 or so for the trailer. Add gear and what not and even my 7000 pound limit is getting pushed. Have to add people too. Stepping the mast on the 25 can be done with one person with the right rig but, its a lot easier launching and stepping with 2. Also, the 25 is trailerable I would say, not necessarily a trailer sailer.... big difference.

If you are looking to go to many places, go with the 23. if you are going to sail one spot for the season, go with the 25 as the extra room will be nice.

watercolors II · May 31, 2013

Living in the agony mountains of western Pa., I understand your decision problems!
I didn’t misspell Allegheny, living most places is hard but, these mountains in western Pa is just agony, every problem is amplified because of the hills.

Because of your present problem go small, if you’re paying a reasonable price for any sailboat, using it for a couple years and selling it in better shape than when you bought it you’ll not lose a dime. You can always go larger next year.

The size of your lake is the same as Lake Glendale I sail on, so the 25 footer is too large.

Have your radiator cleaned and install an engine oil cooler transmission cooler combo and that Jeep will never have problems pulling a 25 foot boat. That will cost about $250.00 as compared to $25,000.00 difference for a larger vehicle.

Mast raising, I just help a fellow last weekend with a Catalina 25 trying to set up a mast raising system and I just send him these video’s as ideas.

***Catalina 25 with roller furler using an A-frame. *Looks like built out of electrical conduit attached to the deck where your front baby stays are removed. A turning block attached to the bow and a line running back to the head sail block on the gunwale track and using the winch to raise and lower the mast. This A-frame, if made out of something that will not rust can be left on the bow from the time you lower the mast until you raise it again.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r33VCObNroY

Here is a gin pole that just fits into the bottom of his maststep unit. he shows his attachment ideas and then goes on to showing the setup on a A-Frame rigging.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7YIYfOzpn4

Here is a gin pole that he made with a snug fit, (lets hope that the unit doesn’t swell up from moisture and not be able to fit when needed).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfYTiKryKBc

This is the one I like!

He uses a small A-Frame that slides up and down in the sail slot on the mast to keep the mast centered without having to use lines running the whole length of the boat. *Next is the gin pole that attaches with ratchet straps and a winch on the ginpole for raising lowering.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=pX9TRjBKCQ8

watercolors II · Jun 1, 2013

You'll never have it perfect!

I pulled my 22 weighing about 3500 lbs. with trailer and gear about 1000 miles a year here in western PA, with a 3.0 L Ford ranger 2 wheel drive rated at 2000 lbs towing. As I suggested, a engine and transmission oil cooler is the ticket for heavy loads. Again as said, $250 for the coolers or $250 for the hitch?

Safety, I feel I was just as safe towing at 45 mph with a small vehicle as compared to 60 mph with a large vehicle!

Everything about sailing is a trade off!

dscribner · Jun 2, 2013

We trailer and launch our Lancer 25 every weekend. This means set up and stepping every Saturday. Once you get good at it, you can do it in 30 minutes, maybe less. Our record it 30 minutes from the time we stopped the truck to the time she floated off. As long as you can haul it, don't let the size scare you. We looked at a 23 footer, then Lancer 25. The Lancer was twice the boat in two more feet. Enclosed head . . . a big deal. So, don't discard the bigger boat. You won't be disappointed if you buy it.

Don

Kermit · Jun 3, 2013

Great picture, Don!

cb32863 · Jun 3, 2013

I store my 25 on the trailer in my driveway over winter. I build a frame for a inexpensive Home Depot tarp and tie it down. Every once in a while I have to knock the snow off of it.

As for more accommodating, yes that would be the 25. Check your tow capacity with your manufacturer, sure they have that info. Could probably just call a dealership or find it online. I am not sure about stepping and unstepping on a 25 every time you go out but, obviously it can be done. If you find a place you like to sail, hopefully you can get a mooring or there is a place you can store your boat with the mast up. Always an option.

Indysailor · Jun 4, 2013

Looking at the specs, it seems the Lancer 25 may be closer to an ODay 23, in terms of weight for towing. They have close to the same sail area as well, so perhaps raising the mast on each is similar, too. I have not raised the mast on an ODay 25, but it looks hefty compared to my 23, which can be done by three people without a mast raising system.

dscribner · Jun 4, 2013

I can raise my mast alone with a gin pole. What ever you do, try to get a boat with an enclosed head.

AWalker · Aug 4, 2013

There are very few regretful O'day 23' owners. Your jeep will tow and launch it well. I did mine with a 2wd explorer some time back.

jepomer · Aug 6, 2013

itsjojo said:
1) I have a Jeep grand cherokee with a V8. Would this be suitable for towing the 25 long distances? I already have a dual axil trailer with surge brakes on all 4 trailer wheels which I can use for towing over the road. I understand that I most likely 4x4 drive is needed on pull outs.

Make sure the Grand Cherokee is set up for towing with a transmission cooler, etc. The V8 version should be rated for 7500 lbs.

Use a load equalizing hitch for stability if going with the O'Day 25.

Using a 2004 Grand Cherokee with the High Output 4.7L V8 and factory tow package (loved the vehicle) I towed a Cape Dory 25 (4000 lbs) on a dual axle flatbed utility trailer from Eire PA to Nashua NH. It does the job but most drivers would not necessarily want to do this regularly. I tow a Capri 22 (2250 lbs) quite readily with a 2012 Grand Cherokee 3.7L V6. It has the factory tow package.

So for occasional towing of the O'Day 25, the Jeep would be sufficient. For routine trailering, go with the O'Day 23. overall, you will have a more enjoyable experience each outing.

mark_swart · Aug 15, 2013

I have raised and lowered the mast on a 23 with two people and no real problems. Also, I believe D & R Marine offers a shroud kit that has built in plates that allow you to easily raise and lower the mast using the boom and mainsheet tackle for leverage. I know they made it for the 25/26, so I'd guess the 23 would be okay.
I'd pick the 23 for trailering and occasional overnighting. For some reason I even think the lines are a little more romantic than the 25 too. Buy mabe that's just because the 23 was my first keelboat!

IllinoisJim · Sep 15, 2013

For what its worth curb weight of my ODay 25 on the trailer with equipment is 7,100 lbs according to the scale at the local truck stop.

I tow with a 91, 1/2 ton, GMC Suburban with the towing package and a transmission cooler that was added later. I use an equalizing hitch and tow mainly flatland. My truck is rated at 7,900 lbs according to the factory. It's a piece of cake, I suspect mountains would get things hot really quick though, based on my experience with lighter travel trailers.

Be careful on wet slick launch ramps with a relatively light vehicle like a Grand Cherokee and a heavy boat. I use a 10 foot tongue extension to launch and still I take a lot of comfort in having that big Suburban's weigh on top of those four tires.

dc78212 · Sep 24, 2013

I would hardly call a Grand Cherokee a "relatively light weight" vehicle... at about 4,000# curb weight, I think you are thinking about a Cherokee, the smaller version, now that one I would question towing a 7,000# boat with. Just it's very short wheelbase would kill it for me.

Towing is easy;
1) Slow down.
2) SLOW DOWN!!!
A bigger tow vehicle does NOT in any way, shape or form mean you SHOULD drive 70+ on any road.
3) Engine AND Trans cooler are a must, not an option. They will help keep the engine cool and will save your transmission from an early demise. Automatics are just not made for towing heavy weights, and heat up quickly when doing so, put a temp sensor on the cooling line and you'll see real quick.

Sway control would probably be a good option. (Not weight distribution, I doubt you could put it on a boat trailer anyways and the tounge weight is too low to help)
Surge brakes, the bigger the boat, the more you WILL need them regardless. Having 5,000 pounds push you on a slippery because it just rained road is a bad situation to be in when you have to stop suddenly. But that all goes back to SLOW DOWN!!!

BTW - there is only one vehicle on the road truly made for towing, the "tractor" part of a semi, every thing else is a PASSENGER vehicle first - with towing capabilities, even your beloved F350 and above pickup trucks. They are passenger vehicles with very good towing capabilities.

Think about it, a 7,000 pound worth of boat, trailer, people and all your stuff for your fun boat trip even outweigh your Suburban... and it's "pushing" you if you have to stop suddenly...

Now getting 5,000# worth of boat out of the water if the ramp is steep with you Tacoma is something altogether a different story... I work at the Toy plant and build the Taco's (and Tundra) they are nice trucks, but aren't really great "tow vehicles"... short wheelbase and narrow not a great combo for towing. The bigger what you get is, the worse it's going to "feel" when you tow...

Added - the "Taco" is an example... the shorter and narrower your tow vehicle is, the worse towing will "feel"... and the bigger what you tow is the worse it's going to get... Your S-10 is going to "feel" scary - especially in sudden maneuver situation, go with the Jeep...

Kermit · Sep 24, 2013

What the heck are referring to as a Taco? Sorry, but I don't understand. Seriously.

Trailering O'day 23 and 25 questions

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Attachments

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.