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Review of the Oday 40 by Skip McCullough

Year built 1986  
Location of boat North Cape Yacht Club, LaSalle,Mi  
The boat is sailed on The Great Lakes  
How the boat is used Weekends and longer  
Normal wind strength 10-15 knots  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 10/2  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? We definitely would buy this boat again. My wife went below as I was looking around on the deck and she came up and said this is the one. We have not changed our mind. We were looking for a 38-40 foot boat that would fit a retired school teacher's budget. The Oday 40 is sound boat that sails very well. We like ot race in the local races in the JAM fleet and usually finish in the top third of the fleet, winning our share. It has great accomadations for four people on extended cruises and even six for short weekend cruising.  
Gear that's been added WE have replace the Barlow winches with Andersen self tailing winches. We are using #52 for primary winches which are located in the secondary winch mounts so I can reach them from the helm, and #40's for halyards and mainsheets. We have added a new alternator system designed by Jack Rabbit Marine, inclucing a 125 amp alternator, Max612 regulator, Link 10 monitor, and a Optimum starting battery. ALos replace the Data Marine Windpoint and depth sounders with Horizon instruments.  
Structural or complex improvements We have spent the past two winters working under a cover with electric heaters to get the boat back into shape. There were several spots of moisture found during survey. We removed many of the deck fittings and sailtracks, dired out the core, over sized the holes and then filled with epoxy and redrilled. The previous owners had new hull ports put in that had rain drains, whoever installed them did not reseal the core and left it exposed. WE found rotted core around the one port, which we removed and cut back to solid core and replaced. Then removed the rest of the ports and sealed the rain drains with epoxy. Due to moisture in the deck around the steering pedestal we removed it nad rebuilt the entire Edson steering system and took the pedestal home to repaint. Cleaned out all the holes, dried, and drill oversized,filled with epoxy and redrilled as above. Removed all the floorboard and refinished. The maincabin had been varnished and the rest of the boat still oiled teak. WE have now varnished it all with satin varnish to make it match. We removed the holding tank and replace with a 25 gallon tank that fits under the v-berth, and replumbed with pvc pipe and hose to make connections. We also added two locker doors under the V-berth for added storage, and also added one next to drawers uner the nav station for increased stroage. In general just a lot of TLC.  
The boat's best features The layout is ideal to cruise as a couple or take another couple along. The cockpit is large enough to sail with eight people for an afternoon. The galley is large enough to prepare meals and located wih easy access to the cockpit. The nav. station is large enough with out taking up to much space. The main salon is comfortable and and be use to entertain up to eight, or more if friendly, on bad weather days.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. The hatches show some crazing and the previous owner used the anchor locker hatch to mount a windlass and it is definitely not strong enough for it.  
Sailing characterisitcs The Oday 40 sails well on all points of sails. it is easy to steer with a very light helm. The Isomat rig is heavy, but the rig allows easy reefing and strength enough not to worry about ti coming down. It sails equally well with a reduced headsail or reefed main. It's ideal condition is 12-15 kts. It is heavy enough to push through big seas with and entry that helps to sail through Lake Erie chop.  
Motoring characterisitcs I have a 17 inches Max-Prop that I had to have cut down from 18 inches on the recomendation from PYI. I am still fine tuning the pitch, but last summer in flat water could cruise at about 6.5 kts. I have heard of others that claim they can motor at 7 kts.  
Liveability  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) [builder]  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any I work with Freeman-Eckley out of Vermilion, Ohio and recommend them to anyone.  
Other comments I would enjoy talking to other Oday 40 owners. Email is saillavie@att.net  

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