Oday Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997
 
 
 

Review of the Oday 322 by AndreNJ11

Year built 1988  
Location of boat Delaware River  
The boat is sailed on Bays, sounds, or protected salt water  
How the boat is used Weekends and longer  
Normal wind strength 10-15 knots  
Average size of crew solo  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 2008  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Absolutely. While it might be nice to have a brand new Cata-Bene-Jenne at $160,000+, having a boat with virtually the same performance and livability for $20k-$25k is pretty sweet.  
Gear that's been added Yes, A/C, autopilot, adjustable traveler.  
Structural or complex improvements None outside of routine maintenance for a 30+ year old boat. New sails, new electronics, chart plotter, new starter motor, new alternator, new batteries, new canvas. Still the original cushions and fabric still looks great. (dark blue fleck).  
The boat's best features This boat is ideal for 32 single handing. T-shaped cockpit, winches at the back for the helmsperson, shallow draft wing keel, excellent upwind performance, main reef lines back to the cockpit, roller furling jib, private aft cabin, large usable head, functional galley, one 7 long berth in v-berth, chart table.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. Replaced starter motor, replaced alternator, replaced original roller furler. The four bolt keel attachment on a short keel chord is not a robust design. Still I feel it is adequate for bay and coastal sailing with an eye on the weather. This is not an ocean crossing boat, however several have cruised the Bahamas with no problems.  
Sailing characterisitcs This boat sails very well for a cruising design. upwind performance is very good. Reach is excellent. Downwind so-so without a cruising spinnaker. Boat is relatively well balanced, when sails reefed properly (I reef main first, then genoa). Adjustable traveler helps balance. I changed single line main reef to double line main reef and lead all lines back to cockpit with additional clutches.  
Motoring characterisitcs I have motored this boat many 7-10 hour days between Philadelphia and Chesapeake bay. solid 6 kts. all day. two blade prop and 18 HP (16 HP continuous) original Yanmar 2GM20F @ 2500 - 2600 rpm. 0.5 gal per hour. I have motored upwind in 25kts wind (relatively flat water) with no problem, 5 kts.  
Liveability This boat has the modern private aft cabin and relatively large aft head, usable galley, livable main salon, and a v-berth with one 7 long berth (the other more like 5.5 for the partner. 61 headroom in main cabin. You cant do better in 32.  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) n/a - ODay long out of business.  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any n/a - private purchase.  
Other comments You would be hard pressed to find a better value or design for the money. There are still good individual boats around - though be cautious of some that are getting long in the tooth.  

Copyright 1997-2024 SB Owners, LLC
All rights reserved.

OdayOwners.com is not endorsed by or affiliated with any sailboat manufacturer.