Want to know whats inside and O'day 25 keel?

[Mikesab]

Want to know whats inside an O'day 25 keel?

In the process of refurbishing my 25 Oday, I came across another 25 oday parts boat free except for the cost of disposal.

Before anyone gets upset about disposing of this boat, (i.e.: I should have restore d it) the entire interior was basically crumbled rotted soggy wood, all deck areas were soft and spongy, compression post was hanging in mid air from the bottom rotting off of it, it had sunk numerous times at the slip, and was in danger of being hauled off as a navigation hazard... way too far gone in my opinion.


I spoke with Rudy at DR and he confirmed the lead in the keel was solid pieces and not lead shot poured into resin. So the likelihood of recovery for the scrap metal was pretty high.

Before

After power washing and stripping of parts

Keel cut loose from inside the boat

Keel on trailer after loader lifted boat off of it

Peeling off the 1/2"+ thick fiberglass skin from the keel

The back end behind the centerboard box is filled with SUPER high density expanding foam (hard to dent it with a hammer)

Between the c/b box and the nose piece was a solid block of bondo, probably weighing 40 pounds.

1780# of Lead ingots with lifting rings

It was a bit of work, but the total cost to dispose of this boat was $94
- $50 to have it hauled and set on a trailer
- $44 for disposal at the landfill.

Lead keel chunks weighed in at 1780 pounds (.25/lb = $445)
plus there were 4 old car batteries in the hull for running an inverter ($47 scrap price)

So, all in all we came out ahead dollar wise, and I learned a lot about how these boats were constructed. I was very impressed how thick the glasswork was on the hull and keel area.

 

[Ward H]

I was under the impression it was lead shot and epoxy. In the third photo on the trailer, I see the lead plate laying on it's side. What is the vertical piece that looks like a pipe on top of it? Is the end of that tube where the pendant cable runs down to the C/B?
Great pictures. Thanks for sharing them.

 

[Mikesab]

Yes that is the pendant tube going into the centerboard slot.
It appears to a be a fiberglass tube that broke off when I removed the keel.

 

[Ward H]

Thanks Mike,
My CB has gotten stuck up twice on my. The yard pulled it down and said it looked like the pendant had worn a slot in the fiberglass and the wider part of the eye splice was getting caught in the worn slot. They marked the line so I did not pull it all the way up.
I plan to install a new line one size smaller for this year.
Looking at what you have there, do you see any indication that the line could have worn a slot into the tube?

 

[Mikesab]

Yes, mine did the same thing to me.
I had my nephew on the dock while I was up in the boat on the lift, he would tell me when the CB was flush, and I marked the pendant, but unfortunately, with it being flush, caused it to stick up after lowering the boat back into the water. Apparently the Eye splice being bigger diameter gets wedged in the hole/slot

I looked up into the centerboard pocket while I had my boat on the lift (standing in the water below) and I could see an oblong hole, not sure how you could remedy that, without cutting the old one loose and reworking the tube end (out of the water of course)

I did the same for mine, as far as marking the line, I just don't pull it up all the way now.

 

[RichBone]

Wow, good job

 

[svchickadee]

D & R sells a replacement pendant for the O25. I installed one on my boat this season and it works well.

 

[Mikesab]

I made a new pendant, same diameter line, and my eye spice was perfectly tiny, but the problem is the hole has been worn for 36 years into a slot instead of a hole, so you can inadvertently wedge it in there if you pull it up too far with pressure.

BTW, the eye splice thing is not magic, it can be learned, I spent about a half hour watching some youtube vids from the line manufacturers, and my first two splices were as good as any I have paid for. Definitely a skill to learn.
=)

 

[CCrane2299]

Is there a way to drill a balance hole between the two sides of the bilge so that one pump will drain both sides? I always assumed the center board came up into the hump in the bilge but didn't see that in your pictures.

 

[Jackdaw]

Wow! Its like still shots from an o'day snuff film.

But don't feel bad, the world has way too many boats past the point of no return. That was one of them. Its parts will live on as gear on other boats.

 

[Mikesab]

Is there a way to drill a balance hole between the two sides of the bilge so that one pump will drain both sides? I always assumed the center board came up into the hump in the bilge but didn't see that in your pictures.

The centerboard does come up into that "hump", DO NOT DRILL IT, that is the centerboard slot and would be below the waterline... glug, glug....

Actually at the front and back of the hump it is flush/level and will allow water to pass around it. My bilge pump will evacuate water from both sides, down to a certain point, and it is located on one side.

 

[CCrane2299]

Thanks, now I know.
Mine will get most of the water out, but it leaves a quart or more on the other side. I know the fix, just haven't gotten around to the top side yet.

 

[Ward H]

I remember reading a post where someone found a plug in that hump on a 25 he bought. The thought was that a previous owner put it in so he could push the C/B down if it was stuck. Problem was, it was below the water line and a liability.

Yep, splicing is easy with a little practice. I had my C/B out last winter and the pendant and shackle are in good condition but old line can swell and I didn't look at it that close. I'm going to try making a new pendant out of line 1/16" smaller AND mark the line so I know when the board is just about up so I don't pull it up too tight.

Those photos are kind of like watching an autopsy. Great opportunity.

 

[4father]

I'd love to see these pictures, but they're no longer viewable. Any chance on a reposting?

 

[braol]

I concur...repost????

 

[SFS]

A repost would help a lot of newbies, like me.

 

[Jackdaw]

I'd love to see these pictures, but they're no longer viewable. Any chance on a reposting?

The OP has not been on-line since April. Email him.