Oday Owner Reviews

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Review of the Oday 222 by JC Rice

Year built 1986  
Location of boat Lake George  
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 1986  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Yes. The boat performs extremely well (very well balanced) and has held up very well (it still looks new in many respects).  
Gear that's been added Roller Furling on jib. Depth sounder. Boom vang.  
Structural or complex improvements None required.  
The boat's best features It is probably one of the best looking 22 footers on the market. Below decks, Oday's use of lots of teak and an open cabin layout give her the feel of a larger boat. The aesthetics of the 222 are top notch. Well balanced and fun under sail. Easy trailerabililty and shoal draft are strong points. The fittings are high quality - Barlow winches, Neil Pryde sails, Schaeffer roller furling, Z-Spar spars - all stood up well. Good backup plates on through deck fittings. No blisters.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. A shroud popped a strand at the compression fitting. Battery holddown strap pulled loose. Masthead light corroded - required replacement.  
Sailing characterisitcs A fun boat to sail. Under sail, she is very well balanced. I would describe her a being stiff under sail (not tender) - comfortable putting the toe rail in the water and keeping it there. When she gets up too far on heel, weather helm brings the boat up into the wind comfortably. I used to own a CAL 21 - that boat had an alarming rate of heel - not a relaxing boat to sail - more of a racer. The 222 is more of a cruiser - relaxing and sure under foot. The 222 has always felt "in control".  
Motoring characterisitcs Very responsive. Easily does hull speed with a small motor. Backing is no problem. The boat has a kick up rudder. When motoring with the rudder up (in shoal water) you have to be careful to keep the rudder away from the prop.  
Liveability Good for a 22 footer. Fine for weekends - even a week with a close friend. The forward V-berth is 6'6" long and the 2 settee berths are 8' plus - making 4 adults below possible. The cabin size however, while decent for a 22, is really only good for 2 adults weekending, perhaps with a small child. The boat has a good size cockpit. For daysailing, 6 adults are no problem. The ability to put the teak table in the cockpit or in the cabin in great.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) [builder]  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any Very good experience at Yankee Yacht, Lake George.  
Other comments I highly recommend the boat for weekending and daysailing. It is well designed and well made. In 15 years of sailing the 222, I haven't seen another 22 footer that I like better. It's combination of good looks, good construction and versatility make the boat very desirable.  

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