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Review of the Oday 22 by jeff stennett

Year built 1973  
Location of boat Rock Creek, MD (Chesapeake)  
The boat is sailed on Bays, sounds, or protected salt water  
How the boat is used Day sailing  
Normal wind strength less than 10 knots  
Average size of crew solo  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 2005  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Yes, I LOVE this boat. Yes, I might feel a little insecure and puny along-side some of the rich out cruising in their 30-something footers, but I'll bet I have a LOT more fun than they do...crank the CD and have a few beers and cruising the Chesapeake...nothing better! I actually really like being down close to the water too, so there's some intangible qualities of sailing a smaller boat that really puts you in touch with the water...and that's why I'm out there.  
Gear that's been added Added a new Yamaha 9.9hp 4-stroke "High Thrust" engine this month (8/06) after the little 1990 8hp Johnson "SailMaster" died on the 4th of July...sucked up some junk and clogged the cooling system while under power and overheated :( Just added a new Jensen marine AM/FM/CD last week, and new 6.5" marine speakers in the cockpit last month....new Standard Horizon VHF too...I use a PocketPC with PCMCIA adapter to plug in a Compact Flash GPS card (using CF-to-PCMCIA adapter), and use Microsoft Streets and Trips to sail the Chesapeake and see where I am, works great except Streets and Trips obviously doesn't show marine depths...but I have my Huminbird Wide100 to show depth...poor-man's high-tech sailing setup. Recently ordered MapTech's Pocket Navigator so I can see marine charts too :)  
Structural or complex improvements The only "complex improvement" was the addition of the heavy 4-stoke Yamaha engine...the 9.9 weighs about 30-40 pounds more than the old 2-stroke 8hp Sailmaster, and has LOTS more torque, so I had to replace the motor mount with a new Garelick 71090, and reinforce the interior of the stern with a square-foot piece of stainless steel where the mounting bolts come through the fiberglass...didn't want the 33 year-old 1973 fiberglass giving way and dropping my new $2400 Yamaha into the bay (not to mention probably sinking me if the stern gave way)! Now, with the new mount and stainless steel plate, that engine is mounted solid as a rock, and that great 71090 mount lifts and lowers that big Yamaha like a feather...WHAT an improvement!!  
The boat's best features I'm not sure what to say here, because I have no experience to compare it to....I like the styling of the O'Day 22, and the construction is really solid, not the slightest "give" or sponginess to 33 year-old fiberglass anywhere on the boat, which I'm really amazed at...I don't think you could buy a "Lemon" O'Day. Very simple to sail, great control and stability...was accidentally caught out on the Chesapeake when a front came through with 35mph gusts...aside from it being a hell of a ride that tore some of my main-sail cleats right off the sail, the 22 took it in stride and handled the high winds and seas just fine (me too I might add...I'm still here to write about it! ;) Love the shallow draft too...can get into anywhere...this one has the fixed keel.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. Slight leakage of rainwater from 2 or 3 of the teak-trim screws that come through the roof of the cabin...causing some slight water-damage to the wooden cabinetry at floor-level.  
Sailing characterisitcs Did that in "best Features"  
Motoring characterisitcs I agree with other reviewers who state the 10 is probably best HP for this size boat...my 8hp always seemed a bit strained for pushing this much weight, unless it was just for manuevering at launch or return...but if you find the wind not cooperating with where you need to go, and especially if your destination is far away (5 or more miles)...I'd say the 10hp (or bigger) is a BIG relief. Due to the size of the boat though, it doesn't lend itself to anything more than about a 10 (if it's a 4-stroke)...my Yamaha 9.9 4-stroke seems huge hanging off the stern.  
Liveability I consider it my water-going tent or camper, so I accept more of a "roughing it" experience than I guess most sailers would be thinking, so I don't mind the "liveability" of the 22 for 2 or 3 days...maybe longer...but just haven't had the opportunity to stay out longer...I bought a Kipor SineMaster 1000w portable generator to take out for the extended trips...so I could recharge the batteries and/or power the stereo, lights, and fan...also thinking of buying one of those auto 12v cooler/heaters....by father says theirs works great...so the generator could run that just fine...keep beer cold! :)  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) [builder]  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any Private Owner  
Other comments Beautiful boat to start with AND keep...not everybody has to "move up" to bigger and bigger...it's all in your head. Now women, on the other hand...have other ideas...! Maybe that's why we have to move up to bigger and better?! :)  

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