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Review of the Oday 34 by wayneR

Year built 1984  
Location of boat cambridge md  
The boat is sailed on Bays, sounds, or protected salt water  
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 2000  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Yes, It has been a great boat for over 10 years.  
Gear that's been added New full battened mainsail (works great). New electrical panels (reworked old). New Balmar 80A alternator and voltage regulator and duocharger battery splitter. Four new AGM batteries to replace 14 year old gel cells. Replaced all standing rigging in 2007 before trip south. Led all control lines to the cockpit. Replaced old Schaefer blocks with Garhaurer (but never had a failure of the Schaefer blocks). Added 50 ft. of 5/16" chain to main anchor rode. Works great with 25 lb CQR anchor. Added chain stopper to handle the chain.  
Structural or complex improvements Took both hanging lockers and added shelves. Hang my foul weather gear in the head when it rains. Removed handrails. most deck fittings and cleats and over-drilled, filled holes with West epoxy mix and re-drilled and re-bedded. Have seen other O'Days (not mine) where leaks into the balsa core have caused problems. Stained the interior teak cherry and varnished the interior with water based varnish. Looks great and some of it has lasted 7 years. Especially good in galley and head. Replaced the plastic Beckson ports with New Found Metal 4X10 stainless ports. Not an easy job but looks good and very strong. The Becksons did fine and never leaked for 25 years but got brittle.  
The boat's best features Sails well, reefs easy, handles well under power. One of the prettiest boat from the 1980's. Simple single spreader rig easy to tune. Mine came with ProFurl roller furling jib which I strongly recommend.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. I know of an owner who had to replace the fuel tank. It is behind the engine and under the pedestal. He ended up removing the engine to get it out. I think I would have abandoned it in place or cut it out and put in a smaller one. My tank (Aluminum) has not had a problem. Keep water out of it and keep it dry on the outside to prevent corrosion. The table in the main cabin is different. Takes up a lot of room. I know some owners who have removed it. I like the table's built-in hand holds and put up with it filling the cabin when the leaves are open. The starboard aft berth might be a good sea berth but I took out the cushion, had a small one made for the nav station and use it for storage.  
Sailing characterisitcs Sails well. Need a reef fairly early but is happy with either a half rolled jib or a reef in the main. Tacks easy and jibes without problem. The center boom traveler is great. Keeps the mainsheet short and easy to handle. My boat has 2 speed self tailing winches. Work great.  
Motoring characterisitcs Mine has a Universal M25 with about 2000 hours. Seems fine, very little problems. Motored from Chesapeake Bay to Charleston NC down the ICW and back without problem a few years ago. After changing antifreeze or hoses you MUST remove the thermostat and refill the chamber under it with antifreeze or it will overheat. Takes 5 minutes. Backs to port predictably.  
Liveability Pretty good for 34 feet. The boat is well laid out and we have cruised (two people) for weeks onboard. Modern boats of similar size are wider and have a double berth aft. I don't think there is any boat from the 1980's better laid out. I did convert the two hanging lockers to storage. There is room for more storage behind the cabin seat backs that O'Day didn't use. Lack of storage space is possibly the main "liveability" issue. Shower is also in the head, a compromise. Roomier more modern boats manage to find room for a separate shower stall. I varnished the wood so it wipes off easy, threw out the shower curtain and it works fine.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) They were out of business before I bought my boat but D&R Marine in Mass. has some parts. I have bought parts from them and always been happy. They know the boats and who supplies parts that fit.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any N/A  
Other comments Its a great boat. For some reason the market seems to discount the boats and they sell for less than some other boats of the same vintage. I think the O'Day 34's and 35's (very similar boats) are bargains in today's market. Look for one in good condition that has been well cared for and get it surveyed. Should give you many years of pleasure in coastal cruising.  

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