Oday Owner Reviews

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Review of the Oday 26 by Mike Trautman

Year built 1984  
Location of boat Sarasota, Florida  
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 1998  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Absolutely! The O'Day 26 has proven to be an excellent choice for the shallow waters and moderate winds of west Florida. The 30" draft with board up makes the bays of Sarasota, Pine Island and Sanibel/Ft. Meyers much much bigger and more fun than they are for sailors with deeper draft boats. We can anchor and sail where others fear to tread and explore areas that are off limits to many. The rig is easy to handle and the boat sails well in the conditions we have met. The accomodations are comfortable both in the cabin and the cockpit. The boat is a fine inland bay and short range coastal cruiser.  
Gear that's been added I've added a Compass, 2nd battery with A/B switch, new Honda 9.9hp outboard, CDI - Roller furling, Cruising chute, and an Autohelm. The roller furling makes it easier to go sailing, period. Short handed, or with inexperienced crew or when time is limited, it just creates more time on the water - having fun - each time you go out! The cruising chute converts those marginal light wind days into fully enjoyed sailing experiences and adds a touch of color and class to the scene. The Autohelm is a luxury that steers a better course than I can and doesn't get tired or eat up all the Oreos. It extends your range and icreases safety by allowing the crew to rest during the long hauls. When you're short handed or soloing, the Autohelm is a serious friend and helper indeed.  
Structural or complex improvements No, though I'm contemplating improving the tiller rudder attachment and beefing up the standing rigging.  
The boat's best features Versatility and shallow draft combined with lots of interior room. I also have a 26' Chrysler in Illinois. The two boats are completely different in charactor. The Oday is faster and has more intitial stability. The Chrysler is more heaviy rigged and tracks like a train. The O'Day gets along very well with an Autohelm on all points of sail if the rig is balanced appropriately. The interior of the Oday is wide open and spacious while the Chrysler is tighter, though possibly better in a seaway. Roller furling is great and the bow anchor locker is a huge plus. These two conveniences make it much easier to sail the boat and much more fun to stop for lunch or explore that mangrove island. The big cockpit is roomy but the raised companionway entry is a good safety feature. The large ice box and 20 gal water tank are good features. The extra cockpit ice chest is handy for day sailing. The bimini is a must in Florida.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. The tiller attachment / pivot is showing signs of wear, probably due to long term dockage stern to the bay. I would like a heavier battery storage box. A bigger electric panel, heavier wiring, and spreader lights would be nice. The sink and stove are positioned too low for comfortable access while standing. I would have liked double lower shrouds and heavier standing rigging in general. I would like two larger cockpit drains intead of one standard one. My biggest bitch about the boat... What idiot put the mast light wiring inside the mast without securing it against the dreaded midnight tink, tink, tink?!!! I hope to replace the motoring light with a mast head tri-color, add spreader lights and dampen the wiring harness with electrical ties spaced every 18".  
Sailing characterisitcs Good light air performance, fair windward ability, excellent downwind. Generally well balanced with appropriate sail area set for conditions but likes to be kept reasonably upright. It's a flat bottomed modern design that likes a broad reach better than a beat. My Chrysler 26 with it's wine glass hull will out point the Oday and hold a course unattended all day long within 10 degrees, with the tiller tied off. The Oday wanders more but will self steer adequately while wandering through 30 degress or more. The Autohelm is a big plus! This is a very fine Florida boat!  
Motoring characterisitcs Generally motors easily and tracks well. The Honda 9.9 is a dream. It's really a de-tuned 15hp and runs at a sedate RPM due to a built in govenor. It has tremendous torque, good speed, and great fuel economy. I expect the motor will last forever if salt water corrosion can be controlled. The old Evinrude 9.9 was also a fine engine. It was lighter, two stroke, more noisy, and higher strung but pushed the boat well.  
Liveability Excellent. The folding table serves four handily and then dissapears to create a very pleasant interior space. At 5'9" I have standing head room under the main hatch and stoop slightly throughout the rest of the boat. The pull out double berth in the main salon is positively luxurious. The head with it's built in vanity, mirror, storage, closing wood door and second sink creates a comfortable and private space that women particularly appreciate. The stove and sink are well located if a bit low for stand up work. The ice box is large and comvenient. There is lots of storage, easily accessed. The lazerette has a large open volume for gear and sails. The cockpit is roomy and comfortable. The deck is walkable even at a heal and the non-skid is effective.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) [builder]  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any NA, I bought the boat from a private individual.  
Other comments O'Days are lightly built but well thought out boats suited for day sailing and short distance coastal work. Accomodations are roomy and comfortable. Storage is very good. Performance is satisfying if not stellar, particularly off the wind. The shoal draft keel with retractable centerboard make this boat an ideal West Florida gunkholer and weekender. If you want a boat that will get you out on the water often and with little fuss and bother and go alomost anywhere, this is the one for you! I'm very pleased with the boat and highly reccommend it.  

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