Oday Owner Reviews

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Review of the Oday 302 by Richard Thompson

Year built 1989  
Location of boat Shediac, New Brunswick, Canada  
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 2-4  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 1995  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Yes, but completed by factory next time. Mine was a partially completed boat left over from when O'day went under in USA.  
Gear that's been added YES! Added 3 burner plus oven & broiler, DC fridge/freezer, 3 Group 8D Gel Cells (in addition to the 2 original marine batteries), Trace DR1500va inverter, Lewmar Concept 1 Windlass, 6 Dorades, ProFurl NC32 Furler, Lewmar Off-shore line controlled Genoa Cars (adjustable from helm), Garhauer Rigid Boom Vang, remote shower at transom, pressurized wash-down system in anchor locker, stainless steel radar arch, 5 Siemens SM20 Solar Panels with charge controller, hardtop dodger, roller bearing system for rudder, navigation electronics include JRC Radar, Raytheon ST60 Wind, Tridata, 2 ST60 Multi Units, 4000+ wheel, Raychart 530 with Raystar 114LP differential antenna, Rudder Position and Fluxgate Compass, Intrepid VHF with remote station and 466 handheld for emergencies. Taller Edson off-set Pedestal Guard & Whitlock table, at helm, with Fireboy automatic fire extinguishing system and Clarion Stereo remote controls. Electric Head with Lectrasan sewage treatment system. 12v 10" Color TV plus separate VHS and DVD players and full Clarion CD, Cassette, AM/FM Stereo system. Replaced original clutches with Lewmar Superlock units, upgraded winches to Barient 21CST on Coachroof and Barient 28SST tripple speed as Genoa Sheet Primaries.  
Structural or complex improvements Yes, stronger rudder from Rudy (Former O'day employee), lengthened swim platform standing surface by 18" thus extended hull above water-line in stern. Shortened long setee on port side in salon to accomodate sit-down navigation station. Completely rewired boat upgraded to larger Newmar electrical panel and added 2 additional mini panels with source selector switch for AC electrical. Added additional water holding tank into lower portion of Vee Berth, added 2nd fuel tank with switch-over for longer range under swim platform. Enlarged galley sink/center cabinet to narrow isle-way for improved heavy seas safety. Completely glassed-in wing keel with 10 layers of cloth fared-out to 2 layers at water-line and barrier coated below water-line. Dorades with water traps were added to provide more ventilation in event of off-shore cruise. All porlites, hatches and plexiglass replaced with Lewmar Ocean Series units to nearest original sized ones or larger. Plexiglass windows were replaced with thicker 3/8" Lexan. Aft cabin was slightly enlarged by reducing depth of Starboard Locker accessible from cockpit. Replaced port and starboard propane lockers with larger inserts each holding larger a 10 lb aluminium tank.  
The boat's best features Since mine is one of the last with changes suggested and incorporated based on Rudy's (Former O'day employee) experience, it is more stable in heavier winds, is still light enough to have a good turn of speed. Can be sailed single-handed. Takes waves much better than before. Still very roomy for a 30 footer  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. Original shrouds were sometimes flexing the hull when winds pulsed. Had the bases and hull reinforcement webbing beefed-up. But remember, I sail in a short season area and sometimes get caught in bad weather riding out 30 knot plus winds. Original plexiglass windows were the pits as were the original black plastic framed port-lites! Lack of a real navigation station presented challenges when accessing the ice box located underneath. Again, we go places, pre-plan, chart and update our course on paper and electronic chart plotter, not just day sail.  
Sailing characterisitcs Sudden squalls, some low wind conditions, sometimes sudden winds and rough seas just by coming around a cape. Have also been at sea for 3 days without making landfall with no clouds and had to basically motorsail in order to make headway. Typically winds and tide have been unfavorable for a direct route cruise. Sometimes the only sailing opportunity was in the midst of rain. In other words, seen most conditions including a late spring snow squall. Also lobster traps and their bouys are in the water after August 15th. Local fishermen use plenty of scope in our area. You can count on at least once not seeing one of them, getting it caught around either the rudder or the prop shaft.  
Motoring characterisitcs Found the 2 bladed prop to be under-pitched with a bit of vibration. Installed a 3 bladed Campbell Sailor with a slightly higher pitch. My engine compartment is fully sound insulated, no problems that way. Tort turns in very tight spaces are no-problem!  
Liveability Excellent for a 30 footer. Would make the table leaves smaller though as the new cushions are 2" thicker than the originals meaning you have to swing yourself out of the way to raise or lower the leaves. Plenty of storage space, excellent ventilation.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) [builder]  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any Bought it from Certified Sales in Mass. Brian was a very big help. I have subsequently looked at other boats he had to offer. Will do business with him again. Any deficencies were on my part and I am now much more aware of the costs and effort involved in completing and/or refitting a boat.  
Other comments I believe there is more value and quality in these boats than their current market value indicates. I also believe these boats were ahead of their time in style and ammenities. Mine is basically the same layout as the 2000 Hunter 310 I saw in Annapolis at the US Sailboat show in 1999 and mine was just about completed its refit and modifications by then. I believe the original swim platform was too small and relatively unsafe. That is why I had the stern redone after both my wife and myself had repeatedly sliped and fallen overboard. The problem is the surface area plus the step size on an angled transom, resulting in a partially hidden step affording you the opportunity to provide some memorable comic relief entertainment to other members of your Yacht Club. This is a step-over transom as opposed to the newer step-thru transoms. Need I say more?  

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