Oday Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997

Review of the Oday Widgeon by Bob Shields

Year built	1968
Location of boat	Binghamton NY
The boat is sailed on	Lakes
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	1976
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again?	Definitely. Many times I have looked at larger boats and thought about moving up, but nothing would give me the versatility of the Widgeon. Even though I have grown older in the 27 years I have owned it, I can still easily raise and lower the mast,get it on and off the trailer and sail it alone.Nevertheless, I have also sailed it with four adults. Also, I am not confined to the same lake. In addition, with its mahogany seats, the boat has the look of a real clasasic. I've had the boat so long I'm sentimental about it.
Gear that's been added	A few years ago I bought new sails and just recently ordered a cover for storing, trailering and for mooring when we stay at a lake for a week or more.I've also added a wheel to the tongue of the trailer, so I can just unhitch it and push it into the driveway and garage bu hand without the hassle of backing it in with the car.
Structural or complex improvements	I've just made some small adjustments to lessen setup time.
The boat's best features	It's amazingly well built.
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc.	I had a side stay break and had to replace the gasket between the centerboard lever and the centerboard trunk. I've had to put some marine paint on the inside of the cockpit where it has become worn from my feet. Otherwise nothing.The great thing about it is that one can still get parts, sails etc. by just calling Rudy up in Massachusetts.
Sailing characterisitcs	It doesn't point extremely well, and it isn't the fastest boat on the lake, but still it moves right along. It is very responsive and very stable.It's an easy boat to hike out on when the wind becomes quite heavy. It is just a real joy to sail, even after all these years of sailing it. In very heavy weather, it even sails reasonably well without the jib.
Motoring characterisitcs	I've often been tempted to buy either a small gas motor or an electric motor, but I think it would get in the way of the ropes and impede my own maneuverability. I find that if I stand and scull the tiller with one hand and paddle with the other, I can easily get out of dead water or a launching area.
Liveability
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 it from a private owner who had bought it new.
Other comments	I have found that by stacking two flotation cushions on either side and securing them together and to the mahogany seats it raises me to a more natural and comfortable seating position. It also makes it easer to move and move more quickly from one side to the other when tacking.

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