Widgeon Mast Step w/ cracks

[Tracy B]

I am buying an O'Day Widgeon. This boat seems like a good deal though I know that it has spent the last few years uncovered from all weather (central North Carolina). I have one immediate concern with a cracks around the mast step. They appear to be just surface cracks and run 1-2" to the bow side of the hole. Has anyone had this issue? If so, when does it become a real problem?Also, my hull # is 25626. Can anyone tell me when they believe that this boat was manufactured?

 

[Rodney Johnson]

Not fatal

Without actually seeing the boat it is hard to really tell, but as a former owner of a Widgeon, I would not worry too much about those surface cracks. The shrouds and forestay are what really hold up the mast.As to age, I'd say you are looking at a late 1969 or early 1970 model. I assume that your boat has 2 numbers on a little metal plate? A Hull# and a Class#, the Hull# refers to total O'Day production (all classes) and Class# refers to number of Widgeons. My 1969 Widgeon was Hull# 22698 Class# 1791 for reference.