What about this used boat?

[arknoah]

I have the opportunity to purchase a used O’day 25 (1983) that I just saw on Craigslist, then went to see yesterday. My reason for posting here is to see if O’day owners might provide me some guidance on the boat I’ve seen and other things to be aware of which can help me make a decision.

The boat was taken in trade by a power boat dealer here in Maryland. It’s a 1983, 25 foot, from which the inboard engine was removed. The outboard is relatively new, and seems to be in decent shape. The boat was clearly in the water until recently, and the dealer had removed barnacles from the hull as I could see. Sails are in decent shape too -- with a good deal of stiffness still.

Here are some of the things I couldn’t assess very easily.

1. I couldn’t find a bilge pump. I looked through a lazarette and found what might be a hose from the pump, but couldn’t trace it backwards. Since this is a powerboat guy, he didn’t really have a clue himself.

2. The cushions might be a bit moldy, though it was more of a slight smell than from their appearance. Appearance wise, all the cushions looked quite good. I don’t know if they are a problem waiting to happen, however. I was also not able to assess the health of the water systems.

3. Since this was on the hard and probably hadn’t been sailed for awhile, I couldn’t assess the electronics. The salesguy didn’t know if the depthmeter worked, and I also couldn’t see if the radio worked -- but it was in there, which could be a plus.

4. The mast looked good, though it was not stepped. I really don’t know enough to know whether I need to replace the standing rigging or not. Same for the running rigging. Any ideas on what that might cost, or how to assess the rigging?

5. As I said, the sails seemed to be in good shape, and there is a sailcover for the main.

6. Given that the inboard engine was removed, and an outboard now used, is there anything I need to know about how it might handle? (I know, a naïve question, but you have to learn somehow.)

If any of you have thoughts about this potential purchase, I would appreciate it. It’s always nice to have the perspectives of owners who know a particular boat well.

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

 

[arknoah]

Of course, after all that long post, I forgot to say that the price of the boat is $3,995.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

probably not worth having it surveyed but you should definitely tell the seller to put it in the water and make sure everything works. Wouldn't you road test a used car?

 

[stx203]

things to check for in an OD 25

I have a 77 OD25 tall rig fin keel....is the one you are looking at a swing centerboard or a fixed keel? I thought mine was in great shape for an old lady but didn't have her surveyed so I spruced her up and checked all the rigging, systems, etc and took off on a 90 mile maiden transit from Philadelphia to Baltimore early ths summer...in 15kts of wind and a small chop on the Chesapeake the starboard chainplate ripped out of the plywood bulkhead and shot through the deck taking the mast overboard! These boats are prone to water damage at the chain plates....hopefully the one you are looking at has bulkheads that are exposed wood...look for water stains along the top edge...for the $4000 asking price I'd ask the dealer to provide a survey and have the survey take special notice of water damage and common water intrusion sites like the mast step and stanchions. Also have the surveyor take notice of how well the hull was patched after the inboard was removed.

I spent the summer replacing both bulkheads and repairing the maststep, roller furler and hole in the deck to the tune of about $1500 (my yard wanted $5000 to do the job). I replaced all the standing rigging for about $650 (check out drmarine.com for prices). Mine still has original inboard gas engine which runs like a top. I've had her back in the water for 6 weeks and really enjoy how she sails. She's a great boat just make sure she is sound first. $4000 sounds a little high to me unless it is a centerboard model with a decent trailer. I paid half that and got working electronics, nice sails, roller furling jib, spinnaker and gear, dodger, dual battery system with shore power and no mold.

The bilge pump is easy to replace and should be easy to find if it is there, just lift up the floor plate and you should see the pump right there, mine is routed to the same line at the midship sink drain.

Let me know if you have further questions..

 

[Shoaldrafter]

Arknoah

I have the opportunity to purchase a used O’day 25 (1983) that I just saw on Craigslist, then went to see yesterday. My reason for posting here is to see if O’day owners might provide me some guidance on the boat I’ve seen and other things to be aware of which can help me make a decision.

The boat was taken in trade by a power boat dealer here in Maryland. It’s a 1983, 25 foot, from which the inboard engine was removed. The outboard is relatively new, and seems to be in decent shape. The boat was clearly in the water until recently, and the dealer had removed barnacles from the hull as I could see. Sails are in decent shape too -- with a good deal of stiffness still.

Here are some of the things I couldn’t assess very easily.

1. I couldn’t find a bilge pump. I looked through a lazarette and found what might be a hose from the pump, but couldn’t trace it backwards. Since this is a powerboat guy, he didn’t really have a clue himself.

2. The cushions might be a bit moldy, though it was more of a slight smell than from their appearance. Appearance wise, all the cushions looked quite good. I don’t know if they are a problem waiting to happen, however. I was also not able to assess the health of the water systems.

3. Since this was on the hard and probably hadn’t been sailed for awhile, I couldn’t assess the electronics. The salesguy didn’t know if the depthmeter worked, and I also couldn’t see if the radio worked -- but it was in there, which could be a plus.

4. The mast looked good, though it was not stepped. I really don’t know enough to know whether I need to replace the standing rigging or not. Same for the running rigging. Any ideas on what that might cost, or how to assess the rigging?

5. As I said, the sails seemed to be in good shape, and there is a sailcover for the main.

6. Given that the inboard engine was removed, and an outboard now used, is there anything I need to know about how it might handle? (I know, a naïve question, but you have to learn somehow.)

If any of you have thoughts about this potential purchase, I would appreciate it. It’s always nice to have the perspectives of owners who know a particular boat well.

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Captain of the Ark, Noah:

You are looking at a project boat. Are you willing and able to rebuild the boat. The boat is priceds slightly higher than similiar project boats. But if motor is less than 5 years, then that would factor in price.

What size is motor and how mounted. Those issues are addressed in archives of this site.

So, the answer to your question is are you one of project boat rebuilders? If not this is not a boat for immediate sailing.

Is it on jacks or trailer? Where would you fixer her up?

Other wise an 83 hull would make a good project. Does it have a rudder? A centerboard? The standing rigging may work. I doubt the running rigging. Does motor work? Is it 2 or 4 stroke? Motor sitting idle for over year without running is suspect.

Keep us posted. You can even post pictures.

Ed K
O26

 

[Johan S.]

First and foremost - I WOULD NOT BE LOOKING AT USED SAILBOATS AT A DEALER!!!! Especially fixer-uppers.. WHY, would anyone go to a dealer for a used boat when Craigslist is the best resource that came down the pike.. CL is by far the best place to find a used sailboat.. Craigslist.com

 

[RichBone]

Heck, if it's got a good trailer, that's at least worth half of the asking price.

Rich

 

[RECESS]

Honestly. just from what you posted, the best case scenario is you buy at $4K, then spend another $2K or more making it what you really want.

There is a lot our there right know that needs little work for $6K.

I love my 25 O'Day, but the numbers you are looking at do not add up to a great find.

 

[arknoah]

Thanks for your comments. I did look for the bilge pump in the usual place, and didn't find it -- that's why I was asking, since I thought it might be in a slightly different location than I'm used to. The engine is a four stroke, and it has a fixed keel. I'll be looking at other boats this weekend. I've been "testing the waters" so to speak for most of the summer, so I'm not in a rush to buy something unless everything aligns in my mind.

Thanks again.

 

[emergpa1]

You could call up my posts on repairing my boat. there should be alot of pictures. You can see alot of befores that would show you things to look for. The way you find my old posts (go to the earliest ones) is LEFT click on my screen name, then in the drop down pick "find other posts), then pick threads or topics that were STARTED by me. That should help.
good luck
keith

 

[emergpa1]

correction, the "threads started by emergpa1" are found by going to my public profile, clicking on the statistics heading on the upper right side of the screen under the picture of my little boy (my avatar) and picking "threads started by emergpa