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Review of the Oday 222 by Thomas Cervenak

Year built 1985  
Location of boat Lake St. Clair and Lake Huron  
The boat is sailed on The Great Lakes  
How the boat is used Day sailing  
Normal wind strength less than 10 knots  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 2008  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Absolutely. It was and is the perfect boat for me to learn sailing on. It is just the right size and the quality is excellent. My sailing mates like the boat because of the roomy cockpit and its ease of sailing. The previous owner had everything needed. Besides some cleanup and a minor repair, it was a turn key boat. Best yet, the owner was out of state and was really motivated to sell. I got the boat, trailer and motor for $2,000. Even now, an O'Day 222 will often sell for twice that or more. It appears that the boat is retaining good value.  
Gear that's been added The owner I bought the boat from had pretty much everything needed, even the little winch covers and a Mariner 8hp motor. However, while the standard Schaefer roller furler supplied with the boat works, I always felt it was a bit too small. In fact I called Schaefer looking for an instruction manual. The kind technician in the parts department emailed me an old catalog. It listed the then standard furler as the model 100 which was surprisingly designed for sailboats only up to 19 feet not 22 feet. Both the catalog and the technician recommended the model 250 which was for sailboats up to 24 feet. I recently acquired one of these on Ebay and there is a world of difference. It was like going from a toy to the real thing. If you can find one, buy it. It works 100% better. It is all shiny metal and much bigger and fits perfectly in the bow. Best $122 bucks I have spent in a long time. I wonder if the 222 wasn't actually designed for the model 250 furler, but someone at O'Day decided that that going with the model 100 would save some big bucks. There was also some surface damage to the fiberglass on the cockpit floor. This was the only damage to the boat. I put some plastic "teak" flooring on it and it does indeed makes the boat look better. I also think it is more safe. I have had some issues with loading the boat on the trailer. It is hard to get the boat to sit right on it. I have figured out the issue from looking at other 222 trailers on line and will install an additional guide so the keel goes in the right spot. This is a trailer issue and not a boat issue. Finally, I made an "A Frame" to raise the mast. The material cost about 30 bucks and the inexpensive electrical winch about $60 bucks. This was basically two 10 foot metal electrical conduits. I think I used 1 inch ones or maybe larger. Don't use too small of conduits, they will bend. The conduits are tied together at the point with a thick plywood triangle with metal loops on each side - one side for the forestay and the other side for a hook for the electrical winch. On the other end of the conduits we put rubber chair ends purchased anywhere so as not to mar the boat deck and metal "j" hooks which slip unto one side of the side stay chain plates. For the raising, we only hook up the longer side stays and of course the back stay and the fore stay to the top of the "A" frame. The space for the shorter side stays is used for the frame's "J" hooks. We then use the electrical winch which has a remote to raise the mast. The remote is wonderful and makes it so much easier. We have done it on the trailer and while the boat was docked. There are several websites online which show the construction and use of A frames to raise a mast.  
Structural or complex improvements No, I don't feel any necessity. I still consider myself as a newbie to sailing and am still learning. I know some people have put a mid boom sheet line and traveler. I don't think I will. I really like the larger cockpit and a traveler will get in the way for my usage.  
The boat's best features It is clearly the quality. Even though the sailboat is 29 yearly old, it is still in very good condition. A lot of this has to do with the original quality. People remark when they board it, how nice it looks. The carpeting on the wall is still nice and the interior teak is good looking. I feel very comfortable with the boat and it handle well under sail or motor. I recently lent a hand to a family raising a mast at the marina. This was a much newer boat in a rather expensive price range. I was surprised how much "cheaper" it looked than my O'Day.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. I am just a bit concerned about the fiberglass swing keel. I haven't experienced any problems with breakage, but I know others have.  
Sailing characterisitcs I always feel that we have the sailboat under good control. Under sail or motoring, it responds well. One of my sail mates has a 22 foot Ranger which is full keel and is more of a racing vessel. He likes the way my O'Day 222 compares. I might add that we use my O'Day more because of the swing keel. In the Great Lakes, which can be shallow in places, this is a real plus. I like the design with a lighter keel inside a short heavy keel trunk. It is easy to use and is out of the way.  
Motoring characterisitcs It seems to motor just fine. We actually enjoy motoring around with it. Last summer my straw hat flew off my head and we had a ball doing all sorts of figure eights trying to retrieve it. Even in rougher weather it behaves well.  
Liveability I have never lived on it. It is very comfortable for day sailing, but I think would be tight for an extended stay  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) I bought the boat used. But D and R Marine which purchased the O'Day stock and molds has been very helpful. If you need help call Rudy there.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any Not applicable  
Other comments I feel very lucky that this was my first real sailboat. I am getting near retirement and look forward to hopefully using the boat through the upcoming years.  

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