Oday Owner Reviews

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Review of the Oday 20 by Capt' D Schultz

Year built 1974  
Location of boat wausau,wisc.  
The boat is sailed on The Great 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 2006  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? yes and wish I had discovered this wonderfull craft a long time ago. Raced on smaller one designs for couple years to figure out how to handle sails and then jumped right into this 20 footer with confidence of ability. It did not let me down. she handles great in varying weather conditions and serves me well! perfect for a starter cruiser!  
Gear that's been added too much to list all. marine radio, flare gun, extra floatation, masthead light for anchoring,somebody cut out wall seperating v-berth and allowed the ladies to be seen while on the pottie so I fabbed a new one again to give a bit more "privy", added a tiller tamer,extra interior lighting (blue for night sailing),power inverter for those blow dryers and tv"s,  
Structural or complex improvements yes as mentioned before, the privy wall, kids sleep in the v_berth anyway so it works well.  
The boat's best features ease of rigging and mast stepping, sail handleing and just an all around easy boat to sail in various weathers,this pocket cruiser is able to sail right up to a beach or in a cove to anchor for the night, it is handlable with swing keel up on shallow inland lakes as well as the open but protected waters of the apostle islands with it down. excellent boat to train a new crew member how to sail. they seem to pick up real easily the science of sailing.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. had to put a downhaul on the genny. Got caught in a blow that came on very quickly and couldnt douse it as soon as I would have wanted to. other than that its fine the way it is. there is one more thing could use improving, the for sail runs through a stationary pulley to go to cockpit and I am going to add atrack and car to this for tunning those sails up front.  
Sailing characterisitcs lazy days with nothing but motoring ability to 20-30 gusts. found that the tiller has alot less weather helm feel if one of the crew is at the tiller. very gentle in appropriate conditions and predictable.  
Motoring characterisitcs started with a 4 HP and it wasnt very strong into the wind so upgraded to 9.9 and can handle alot more sea"s  
Liveability good for two, ok for three, and tight for four but 4 is my family so I'll get by.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) [builder]  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any auction and was a good deal  
Other comments wish I could find more time to sail this jewel,  

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