Oday Owner Reviews

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Review of the Oday 27 by Ron Flubacker

Year built 1978  
Location of boat Racine, WI  
The boat is sailed on The Great Lakes  
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 2006  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Yes ... maybe ... could be? I sort of just jumped in cold with this boat. I think in retrospect, i would have preferred a 30, but have really come to enjoy this one, and now doubt it would have made a lot of difference. There are times the 27 footer is a touch small on Lake Michigan ... sometimes. I do have to say however, it is a total pleasure to sail ... and is exceptionally stable in a stiff blow ... far more than i would have expected.  
Gear that's been added I, like others, go out single-handed, so brought all the lines back to the cockpit. I have set up for spinnaker sails and all that ... cabin top winches, and pretty much everything I need to stay put. I have a tiller autopilot, which I can't understand how anyone could do without. and, g.p.s, wind instrumentation ... etc., etc.  
Structural or complex improvements The prior owner moved the shrouds outboard to the hull edge, instead of through the deck as manufactured. Other than that nothing structural is / was a problem. I like probably everyone else, balance bankruptcy with the needs of the boat, and have really added rigging upgrades, and general sailing conveniences ... ie., reefing system, lazy jacks, spinnaker / whisker pole track and car ... virtually too much to mention. I will never get the money out I have put in. ah, well ...  
The boat's best features I really think this is a rock solid, well built boat. Everything about it is high quality.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. some deck softening as mentioned before, where the shrouds original were and leaking ...  
Sailing characterisitcs This boat is stable, with a good weather helm, and super-simple to sail. It is soild as a rock, and I can cope with 4 foot waves and a stiff blow of up to 20-25 knots without being intimidated.  
Motoring characterisitcs Mine is equipped with a Yanmar 8 diesel, and It is reliable and strong. I am continuously amazed by it's simple ruggedness. It drive the boat along at hull speed, and hardly uses fuel.  
Liveability We don't really live on board, but for short trips. It's a touch tight, if you want your marriage to last.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) Not applicable  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any I bought this boat as a private sale ...  
Other comments All in all, I (we) are quite satisfied with the boat. Like with any other fiberglas boat, and being 30 years old, there are things that are problematic, but the boat is well made and super solid. I think ... yes ... I (we) love it and would do it again ...  

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