Oday Owner Reviews

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Review of the Oday 30 by Joe

Year built 1984  
Location of boat Lake Erie West End  
The boat is sailed on The Great Lakes  
How the boat is used Day sailing  
Normal wind strength 10-15 knots  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 2007  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Absolutely!  
Gear that's been added All new instrumentation Chart-plotter Radar Spinnaker  
Structural or complex improvements 10K BTU Air Conditioner inside the bottom of the port closet. Absolutely the best feature of the boat. We keep cool and comfortable at the dock even when temps are in the 90's. If I had it to do over, I would have used a 12K BTU unit, but got the 10K on a close-out. Also, the previous owner pulled the oven and put a 110V refrigerator in its place. As a day sailor, this is a great way to go. I then covered the counter above it with granite tiles for a very distinctive look.  
The boat's best features Very Roomy Cabin Solidly Built Heavy construction, a good family boat. The '84 was the anniversary edition and has a bit nicer interior than the previous years 30's. The '85 adds a boarding platform that produces and additional foot of length to the boat making it a bit more attractive from behind.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. Had internal cooling water pump replaced in diesel for $420. One blade on the prop fragmented off, it was an easy fix, about $250 for the new prop and $100 labor for the in/out and the actual prop change. Very important, when you change the impeller on the diesel, be sure to hold the shaft IN while you pull the impeller off. If the shaft comes out even a 1/4 inch, you pretty much have to take the pump apart to get the shaft re-aligned in the housing. Hold it in and you will have no problem and be done in 2 minutes rather than 60.  
Sailing characterisitcs Trims out nicely, minimal weather helm, forces on the headsail sheets are very manageable in 20 knots or less wind. Easily single handed or quasi single handed when others aboard can't/won't help.  
Motoring characterisitcs Motors all day at about 6 knots, close to 7 at full throttle.  
Liveability I'm not fond of V births, so mostly use that for storage. Have had up to 6 people sleep aboard, but most comfortable for 2. Cockpit is a bit cramped but we usually spread out all over the deck.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) No direct dealing with O'day  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any Bought from private seller.  
Other comments I have looked at many contemporary 30-34 footers, and I have never found a vessel on which I like the layout better than on the O'day with its large starboard settee. The 80's O'days are about 1500#'s heavier than similarly length-ed boats of its vintage and I find that means a bit less healing=happy wife. I love that the owner's manual states something like "your O'day is built to withstand the occasional grounding at hull speed." I have had no problems with the boat after 3 years and most people don't believe its 26 years old. The worse exterior feature is the rub rail, which is pretty homely, but outside of that, it is a good looking boat.  

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