Oday Owner Reviews

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Review of the Oday 20 by Todd Myers

Year built 1978  
Location of boat Denver, Colorado  
The boat is sailed on Lakes  
How the boat is used Day sailing  
Normal wind strength 10-15 knots  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 1995  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? I sure would buy this boat again. She is easy to sail and easy to maintain. She's a strong little boat and was well built. She's turning 25 this September and we are giving her a little party!  
Gear that's been added I installed a two step boarding ladder off the transom (port side). I recommend this as a great improvement and easy to do. I also installed an electric bilge pump and new electrical panel with a cigarette lighter (which has many practical uses such as running a fan and hand-held light, and lighting cigars.) I replaced the factory installed dome light with a red light/white light dome light. The red light is great for night sailing so night vision is not impaired. I also installed an electric bilge pump. Color me paranoid but after some wild sails she fills with a few teaspoons of water in the bilge and an electric bilge pump has saved more than one boat at mooring/slip from sinking...plus its fun to test and my wife sleeps better at mooring knowning we won't sink without warning. I'm going to install a downhaul system and lead the halyards to the cockpit for solo sailing to avoid having to leave the cockpit in a blow.  
Structural or complex improvements No structural or complex improvements.  
The boat's best features The boat is easy to set up, sail, rig down, trailer, maintain and the cost of ownership is minimal.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. The original electrical system had cheap lights and a cheap electrical panel installed. I rewired much of it.  
Sailing characterisitcs She doesn't point too high; but sails wing on wing excellently. She keeps up headway pretty well through tacks; but a little slow to respond. Her 400 pounds of lead in the keel and centerboard give her good stability.  
Motoring characterisitcs I have an old Johnson 4 hp Sailmaster which putts along pretty well. The boat responds well to motoring; but I think a 5 or 6 hp (2 stroke for quiet motoring) is the ticket.  
Liveability Okay for weekend living and cruising; but the quarters are cramped for more than one person. There is no headroom and it is very difficult for an adult to enter/exit the V berth. The ventilation is very bad and a fan is necessary. You would think that leaving the cabin full open at a mooring would improve ventilation; but boats in mooring head into the wind and there is still no circulation. The other option would be to cut a ventilation hole in the front of the boat; but that would destroy some of the fun of hanging out on the foredeck.  
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 private party.  
Other comments Great little boat for a couple; but it is a bit small if you have more than one child. Boat can be set up for solo sailing with a few do-it-yourself improvements. The boat is tough as nails, well constructed; but the ventilation and electrical systems need improvement. It is fine for weekend sailing. If you plan a long cruise you can gunkhole to your heart's content because she sails in 14 inches of water with the centerboard up! Bring a tent if you want to do that; because the V berth is tight. She trailers nicely; but you would need a hefty engine if you were driving in mountains.  

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