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Review of the Oday 26 by Jonathan Sherlock

Year built 1984  
Location of boat San Luis Obispo, CA  
The boat is sailed on Lakes  
How the boat is used Day sailing  
Normal wind strength 10-15 knots  
Average size of crew solo  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 2000  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Definitely. I love the boat. It has always been a pleasure for me and for friends and family that have sailed with me. It was very well kept by the previous owner and was sold to me with lots of extra equipment. The boat has a great strong and solid feel in the water.  
Gear that's been added I have replaced one of the batteries, some lines, the kitchen sink pump, the wood panels on cabin entrance and swapped the tape deck for a CD player. I have added a Siemens solar charger that does a terrific job and built a washdown pump system that is not permantantly installed but is great for washing the boat. My dock has no running water or electricity so these two items make the boat very self-sufficient. I also bought and use a Coleman propane heater, which works well during the winter months and on overnight stays. It gets cold in the evening in California.  
Structural or complex improvements Nothing major has been needed. The original Neil Pryde mainsail has needed two patches along the batten pockets. I needed to seal a leak around the port chainplate with some caulk. Also, the bolts and bracket that attach the starboard chainplate to the bulkhead below were starting to slip and eat into the wood. I filled in the space where the bolts had slipped with some small pieces of wood and re-bolted the bracket. So far this seems to have prevented it from moving again. I also wrapped tape around the top of the rudder where the tiller bracket attaches. There was some cracking there and I felt it needed to be reinforced. Very soon, I will be replacing a piece of plywood that sits in between the outboard mount and a fiberglass extension mounted on the transom. This originally has some kind of board of unknown material that was flaking and falling apart. I replaced with plywood, which is now warping under the weight of the engine. This time I am having one made out of stainless steel.  
The boat's best features I think the boat has very classy lines, it is really pretty to look at in the water. The cabin was beatifully maintained. This is a 25th Anniversary model so it has the blue cloth, which has held up very well and gives it a very clean modern look. The boat has a real look of quality to it. Having grown up sailing a MacGregor 25, the O'Day feels very heavy and solid in comparison.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. As everyone says, the chainplates can leak. Although, one application of caulk fixed this. I have always felt that the standing rigging looks like it needs to be stronger. Although I have never had a problem with it. Likewise, I wish the side rigging ran down and bolted to the keel or to something more substantial than the wooden bulkheads. I am not an expert at this and could be wrong. This is just my impression. I also think the tiller to rudder attachment seems like a weak spot. Finally, the motor, a 9.9 Johnson, is as old as the boat and has been dying as long as I have owned it. I will be replacing it very soon.  
Sailing characterisitcs The boat tends to round up in heavy winds and there is some weather helm. But I have always felt safe on the lake, which can get very gusty. It moves quickly and heels slowly and measuredly, almost like it is on hydraulics.  
Motoring characterisitcs As mentioned, my motor barely works at this point. It will not circulate cooling water and so it overheats very quickly. I have tried to have it repaired but this hasn't helped. At this point, I know it is time to give up on this one and buy a new motor. Because this is a lake boat and there is no current to speak of I am planning on buying a 6 hp Nissan 4-stoke. 2-srokes are no longer sold in California. Based on the conditions I see, I think a 6 hp is fine. I am surviving right now with about 1 hp from my current motor. Plus I worry about the weight of anything bigger than that. And 9.9 4-strokes seem very expensive.  
Liveability I have had up to 5 guests out for the day and up to three people spending the night on the boat. Everyone has always been comfortable. Generally I am out sailing myself or with one other person. And on an overnight it is usually just myself. I sleep in the v berth, which I like to call the "owner's cabin." :-) I have a pressure alcohol stove but rarely use it and a propane barbeque that has been used several times.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) [builder]  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any I bought the boat from a broker and it went fairly smoothly. This was an ocean boat in Los Angeles and I arranged to have it transported up to San Luis Obispo (200 miles). It don't have a trailer and the transport company assured me they had a trailer that would allow us to launch the boat from a ramp. There is no lift at my lake. At the last minute, after I had closed the deal, he tells me he doesn't have the trailer after all. Long story short, I had to hire a crane to lift the boat from his trailer into the water. Very expensive. It was't really the broker's fault though.  
Other comments From what I read on this site, there weren't many O'Day 26s made. I am glad I found one. It is my first O'Day and I love it. If you can find one I would highly recommend the 26 to others.  

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