Oday Owner Reviews

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Review of the Oday 23 by Alan

Year built 1971  
Location of boat Prince Edward Island Canada  
The boat is sailed on Bays, sounds, or protected salt water  
How the boat is used Day sailing  
Normal wind strength 16-22 knots  
Average size of crew solo  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 2001  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? If I could turn the clock back I would have bought an O'Day 23 in the seventies.  
Gear that's been added no  
Structural or complex improvements Previous owner added about 15 inches to rudder to delay roundup but I have just cut the extention off as I do sail in shallow water at times. I have not tried it yet but I expect I may add it on again as I love to sail hard, (reefing? whats reefing?). The longer rudder does speed things up but with both arms pulling hard on the tiller, the rigging in obvious stress, and the knotmeter showing 7.5 on a regular basis backed up by the GPS, I would not recomend this this rudder mod or agressive sailing to anyone. However, the only water I can get in the cockpit is a bit of spray off the bow and believe me, I have tried to flood the the cockpit to determine the limits but the 23 justs rounds up long before heel is a problem. The previous owner also added a couple hundred pounds of lead to further stiffen things but I took that out "pronto". If I do add more rudder athority again I will most likley do it with wings to keep it as shallow as the keel.  
The boat's best features Uncluttered cockpit, wonderfull sailing habits, large and well laid out cabin, dry, safe and structurally well designed, looks good too.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. The only problem with the boat has been the force required at the tiller when sailing very hard. I suspect that will ease with the shorter rudder but some dynamic ballancing may be needed.  
Sailing characterisitcs Having managed yacht clubs and made my living repairing and building boats I have some experiance with many boat types. What can I say about this boat except that if we buy a bigger boat it will likly be an O'Day and we will keep this one for our son! I have sailed in thirty to fourty knots and although well prepaired for the worst the O'Day is a joy to sail and comes to life in the harbour swells. Under less intense conditions when my wife and son are with me the boat is an ideal family sailer. My wife never cared much for sailing untill I bought this boat. After her initial reaction of "Are you crazy buying another boat", she is now of the Opinion "If you sell this boat I'll just go and buy it back for myself". Coming from my wife, this is a major indorsment.  
Motoring characterisitcs 9.9 on a bracket is more power than it needs. If I replace it I',ll put a smaller four stroke on it to ease the noise and smell. In a marina you can thread a needle with the board down.  
Liveability "Pop Top" would be nice, ice doesn't last long.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) [builder]  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any  
Other comments The evening before I wrote this a man showed up in the yard interested in buying the boat. I had considered selling once before but changed my mind. Once the "reality" of us possibly "not having this boat" hit home we realized that this boat is much more than just a way to get out on the water. The personality she has displayed in her sailing characterisitcs has endered her to us and I fully expect this boat will be a part of our family summers for the extent of her life.  

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