Oday Owner Reviews

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Review of the Oday 19 by Rod Funston

Year built 1984  
Location of boat Cape Cod, Massachusetts  
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 2-4  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 2004  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Yes. A good first boat that I don't have to worry too much about damaging while I've learned to sail. The more I sail it, the more I like it and I think I'll proably keep it for awhile, its well suited suits the shoally waters nearby.  
Gear that's been added Tiller tamer. Wind vane.  
Structural or complex improvements No.  
The boat's best features Wide cockpit. I can fit 6 adults with reasonable comfort - so a good social boat. I have even had an extra small person on board bringing it up to 7. With +4 I have to plug the drain hole, but otherwise its very stable and does fine. Having said that, I often sail it solo and its easy to do. Mine came with a roler furler, so its easy to manage. Can sail it right up on the sandy beach, even though it has a small, fixed keel. Only 12" draft (I assume its a bit more with an older boat), so can go anywhere a Catboat can! Overall low maintenance.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. Scared to death of cracking that mast tabernacle. Seems like a weak design spot. So I lower mast VERY carefully. The cabin cover "hinge"-cover can get in the way when you lower the mast. I've cracked it as a result. Getting the cabin cover off is a pain, but I've got used to it. It stows in the cockpit locker.  
Sailing characterisitcs Sails and points nicely in good wind. (10-15) A bit slow, especially in light winds where it can become almost unsailable under 5 knots in a current. 165 sq ft is a good amount of sail I think, I've maxed out the levo-guage a few times, but I don't think this boat will go over very easily. Beating up wind on a windy day takes a lot of tiller handling and it jibes easy runing down wind, but maybe this is normal for a small boat.  
Motoring characterisitcs I have an old 6hp Evinrude. Just enough - I wouldn't want any less. High profile makes it very susceptible to the wind. Have had a few tense moments in the marina on windy days!  
Liveability Pretty small cabin. It's called a weekender, but I haven't tried it. I've taken a short nap in the v-berth and its ok, but the seat is a bit narrow!  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) [builder]  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any Private purchase. Got a decent price, but I was looking for something to sail immediately. Don't have much time for working on it.  
Other comments I recommend it, if you can find one - I don't see many. I think a lot of folks on this site have it mixed up with a Mariner. They should look at the picture under the model page. It looks nothing like a Mariner. I like the knife-like profile. Very 70s.  

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