Oday Owner Reviews

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Review of the Oday 39 by Marius W

Year built 1984  
Location of boat Wareham (Buzzards Bay) MA  
The boat is sailed on Bays, sounds, or protected salt water  
How the boat is used Weekends and longer  
Normal wind strength 16-22 knots  
Average size of crew 5-6  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 2003  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Yes, for a family of 5 which includes 3 children under 6yrs old, this is an ideal boat.  
Gear that's been added Furuno Navnet 1722c/nt, Furuno GP32,Horizon DS45 depth. Bird-X on spreaders to keep comorants away.  
Structural or complex improvements None needed so far.  
The boat's best features Size, space, strong read the liveability section.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. All things considered-this is really minor. The design/location of drains is not conducive to land storage without a full cover such as boat covers made by Fairclaugh Sailmakers. When boat is on stands, the bow is usually slightly higher to aid in draining from the cockpit. Cockpit drains are aft, but the drain in the life-raft compartment is forward, so water will accumulate in the rear of the compartment. The same goes for the anchor locker. Water accumulates in the rear part of the "lip" once the locker hatch is lifted. Not a big issue in climates where there is not much winter frost, but a different story in New England. The same goes for the LP storage locker, water accumulates in the rear part of the "lip" which is visible once hatches are lifted, since the water does not drain, it in essence freezes the hatch doors shut to the LP locker.  
Sailing characterisitcs Sails well in heavy air. Found that my main is cut a little shorter than it should, this was an error made by prior owner when purchasing new sails with specs provided by the owner-as opposed to the sailmaker taking actual measurements prior to making new sail.  
Motoring characterisitcs Handels really well under power. In process of switching from a Martex folding prop to a fixed Michigal Wheel 3 blade prop. This should make handeling under power even better.  
Liveability This is a very liveable boat. 3 privet cabins, 2 heads with h/h showers in each head. Hot and Cold pressure water system-of course. This boat was purchased by original owner with many upgrades: ST winch package, Westerbeake generator, A/C, this is also one of the Lead Keel boats (Shoal draft). I vowed never again to have a steel keel on a sailboat. HUGE cockpit comapred to most others, can have 6 in cockpit with room for more. 2 HUGE sail lockers port/starboard in cockpit, 6'tall person stands chest high in side of them. Lots and lots of stowage space below in main sallon. There is also plenty of stowage space in each of the 3 cabins.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) [builder]  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any Gratitude Yachting Center, MD. the broaker was great. First boat purchased using a broker and it was a good experience compared with horror stories that I have heard of.  
Other comments I LOVE this sailboat. I still check boat listings just to see what is out there-nothing really compares, and there is not that many O'Day 39's out there either. Last summer we were tied up with friends who have a Swan 44 and paid a whole lot more for it than we did. Let's just say we would not trade our O'Day 39 for a Swan 44 (new or old)  

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