Oday Owner Reviews

Serving sailors online since 1997
 
 
 

Review of the Oday 27 by Chris Landers

Year built 1976  
Location of boat Cape Cod  
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 2-4  
Liveaboard? No  
Owner bought the boat in 1997  
If the clock could be turned back, would owner buy again? Most Likely. I may have gone up to 30 feet but I got this Hurricane Bob Storm damaged boat for a good price off the man who fixed it and sailed with his family on it. No problems from the storm damaged areas yet. Been a TON of fun.  
Gear that's been added I haven't added anything major, yet. A few little things for comfort. Will probably add dodger or bimini this summer ('00). Also, want to secure the anchor up front rather than in the cockpit.  
Structural or complex improvements None yet.  
The boat's best features She handles well in light and heavy winds and waves. After a few storms, knew she was a keeper. I don't usually go out in rough seas but have come home in some and feel safe and confidant in this rig. Shoal draft to do some gunkholing around the Cape's inlets.  
Problem areas in terms of design, materials, maintenance, etc. Reefing system in the continuous rope kind-would like to change it but have been able to successfully work around that. The atomic 4 has caused some problems- always something that will keep her out of action.  
Sailing characterisitcs Sturdy and responsive. Easy to sail solo. She practically will sail herself when you tune the wheel and sails.  
Motoring characterisitcs Atomic 4. Had a bunch of problems. I may have to replace/repair the manifold this year- clogged so cooling water isn't passing thru it. It was out of action for 8 weeks one summer but after chechking everyhting on the engine, it turned out to be water in the gas tank. Still haven't figured out how it was getting in. Also, the engine tends to overheat if it is run continuously for hours. Not usually a problem for us but it would be nice to have that confidence in the engine when we have to Motor 5 hours back from Nantucket on Sunday's when the wind is on vaca.  
Liveability Not sure I could live on it but I don't find it bad when the SO and myself go on or week-long vacations. A lot of the 'issues' could be corrected over a winter like redoing the electronics and add some gauges so we know when the batteries are going to die. Little things like that!  
The owner's experience in dealing with Hunter (if any) [builder]  
The owner's experience with the boat dealer or broker, if any  
Other comments Glad I found the ODO page and a few others. I can't find anybody who has the specs on MY boat. Even the specs on this site are slightly different than my layout. Of the 700+ 27's made, only 5 people have their boats "registered" on this site so sharing of info has been difficult and a little frustrating. On the good side, when I tell people what I have for a boat, the first reponse is almost always "O'Day, good boats" and I have to agree.  

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