Oday Owner Reviews

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Review of the Oday 37 by Peter Brennan

Year built 1982  
Location of boat World's Fair Marina, Flushing, NYC  
The boat is sailed on Bays, sounds, or protected salt water  
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 1994  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Absolutely! Our previous boat was a Dawson 26, also a center cockpit model, and we like the concept. Unlike many CC boats in this size range and smaller, the boat does not appear too high sided. When we decided to move up, we wanted the same sort of thing and looked at both the O'Day 32 and 37. The 37 is more graceful, more spacious and newer. We looked at many before we decided on this particular one, ranging from Lake Ontario to Annapolis. Bought this one in Annapolis.  
Gear that's been added A lot. Davits. Fireplace. Electric windlass. All chain rode. High capacity alternator and charging system. New shore power charger. Solar vents. Radar detector. Rolls 4d batteries. Bigger bilge pump. Oil lamps and flourescent lights. Solid vang. Glass and bronze deadlights on foredeck. Keel cooler refrigerator.  
Structural or complex improvements A bulkhead in the forepeak to make a separate chain locker. Bulkheads in the settee lockers to make storage easier and more efficient. These probably stiffen the hull somewhat though that was never a problem.  
The boat's best features Space below decks, separate aft cabin, cozy and safe comfortable cockpit, excellent performance to windward and indeed on all points. She is not a racer but no slouch either.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. The engine developed an oil leak that required removale from the boat to repair and cost us most of a season. Not the boat's fault. Exploding batteries caused a fire that ultimately cost over $30,000 and most of another season, but that wasn't the bvoat's fault either. I can't fault her design or construction.  
Sailing characterisitcs Excellent upwind, especially now that we have all new sails. Even better on a reach. She screams along and is a joy to sail. In heavy weather, she is really tough and dry.  
Motoring characterisitcs Fully loaded in still water, she will do six knots. Backs lousy like all sailboats. But we have learned her quirks and manage them. Lie most sailors, we spend more time under power than sail. She just chugs along quietly under auto pilot.  
Liveability Very good. I could envision living aboard. I am 6'1" and have full headroom thoughout. Only thing lacking is a comfortable sitting chair. Main cabin has settees which accomodate a mob of people and it's a great party boat between the cockpit and saloon. But I would like a real chair, preferably swiveling, at the chart table and plan to install one this year. We sleep soundly in the vast double berth in the aft cabin and guests have never complained about their accomidations in the saloon and forward stateroom (AKA V-berth).  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) [builder]  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any It was excellent. We dealt with Rick Nissen of C&C Charters in Kent Narrows, Md. He brought this boat and several others to our attention (we had met him at the NY Boat Show and told him we were looking). he did an excellent job for us at long distance (us in New York, boat in Annapolis). I would deal with him again in a flash.  
Other comments She is probably the best looking center cockpit boat you will ever see in this size range. She does not look like an elephant with a howdah on top and she turns heads when we come thundering along under a full press of sail in a stiff breeze.  

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