Oday Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997

Review of the Oday Daysailer by Jim Davos

Year built	1987
Location of boat	Lewis bay, Cape Cod
The boat is sailed on	Bays, sounds, or protected salt water
How the boat is used	Day sailing
Normal wind strength	10-15 knots
Average size of crew	solo
Liveaboard?	No
Owner bought the boat in	1992
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again?	Yes ! The boat has served my family very well over the years. Its has more than ample room for a family of 4. I've done all my "learning" on the Daysailer 3, including my share of mistakes; and in that context its been very forgiving and inexpensive to repair.
Gear that's been added	I've added an inclinometer and a small compass. I've seen many "home-made" versions of cuddy doors, but I'm leaning towards tinted plexiglass held between 2 milled teak strips.
Structural or complex improvements	The only improvements I've made involve the replacing of the forestay and both sidestays with slightly larger diameters.
The boat's best features	The jib furler and the ease of rigging.
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc.	Has anyone ever isolated the source of the water leakage in the bilge? I used 3M's 5200 sealant around the self-bailer, and reseated the transom drain plug and the two inspection ports on the floor (thinking maybe its rainwater). I've inspected the centerboard pivot and can't find any crasks or other problems that could be the source of the leak.A proven technique I've used on Laser hulls is a shop-vac that blows air into the hull while someone uses soap suds to isolate where escaping are leaves the hull.
Sailing characterisitcs	Once the afternoon winds kick up beyond 15-20 knots, I've found it necessary to either reef the main or use a smaller sail like that of a Javelin. Coming in onto a mooring in those conditions is a real challenge when you solo since the Daysailer 3 is very light and bounces a lot in those conditions. 10-15 knots is ideal...less than 10 is boring...
Motoring characterisitcs	I've used a Suzuki 3.5 horsepower long shaft since I first bought the boat, but last year I purchased a 3.5 horse longshaft Tohatsu. Both are more than adequate to move the Daysailer 3.
Liveability	I squeezed my 6'-1", 240 pound frame into the cuddy one time during a torrential downpour. Getting in was easier than getting out! ! !
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any)	[builder]
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any	I bough my Daysailer 3 from a private owner who puchased it new in 1987.
Other comments	I've considered getting a larger boat in the 20-24 foot range, but the boating season here in New England is relatively short, 4-5 months so my Daysailer 3 may have to last me for a while longer. One display that I saw at this year's new Englang Boat Show was this AWLGRIP process that gives new life to older hulls. It appears to be a high-gloss 2 part epoxy paint that would make the boat look like new again, and give it new life. Has anyone every done this to their Daysailer hull?

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