Oday Owner Reviews

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Review of the Oday 31 by GEORGE

Year built 1985  
Location of boat Lake Ouachita, Arkansas  
The boat is sailed on Lakes  
How the boat is used Weekends and longer  
Normal wind strength 10-15 knots  
Average size of crew 2-4  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 1999  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Yes,it's been a real good boat. I bought this boat from the original owner. I started out on a 12' board boat 30 years ago and have sailed quite a gamut of boats at this point. The boat has a good lay out with the horseshoe starboard settee/table. Everything is east to get to engine, thru-hauls, electrical ect. It sails well in all the lake conditions I have been in. The more wind, the better it is for me. On those days when the wind gets to 15-20 knots the boat comes into it's own. Up wind down wind the boat is stable. I don't have to fight a tide or a stiff current, so the 14hp engine is enough, but I can see that you might need more hp in the big water.  
Gear that's been added I have added a 1750 ac inverter and cockpit cushions. There is a new mainsail on order with an added roach (14sf more sail) if AirFroce Sails gets it shipped (8 weeks so far). I need to get the wind speed fixed or replaced at this point and some of the other electronics like lake water temp is questionable. 15 to 19 years of use takes it's toll.  
Structural or complex improvements I replaced the cabin top slid hatch rails. I got them at D&R Marine at a fair price. I also got the same front anchor locker hinges and a extra set of isomat boom attaching hardware from them.  
The boat's best features The quality of the boat, interior, exterior and how it sails are the best features of the boat. The price that the O"day 31 sails for is another good feature. I got mine for $28,000 in 1999 in Punta Gorda Florida.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. I had some pin holes in the fuel tank that JB weld took care of. Spinlock clutch handle broke, it was my fault. The spindles in the auto helm 4000 elect. motor rusted into, but I fixed them with new drill bit shanks. The electronics are getting old and questionable. Nothing you wouldn't expect for a 15 to 20 year of operation and a saltwater life.  
Sailing characterisitcs The sailing characteristics of the boat are very good. My boat has a 5'2" draft and it is very stable. You can better than 30 deg. up wind in a stiff breeze when you get everything hardened up. You should be able to sail this boat with very little instruction even if your a new hand at it. It's alot easier than a little boat, but now your pushing 5 tons around.  
Motoring characterisitcs I can get a full 6 knots out of the boat, but that is over 85% throttle. 5 to 5.5 knots is a good speed for 85% throttle. There is a little prop walk in reverse, but what do you expect.  
Liveability The liveability for two is very good for a week or so, but it is a one man boat if you were going to live aboard.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) [builder]  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any They are sales people, watch em' close.  
Other comments For the price and the quality of the boat, it's hard to beat an O"DAY.  

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