Identifying an O''Day Daysailor

[voodooacrobat]

I''m buying what is supposed to be a 16'' O''Day Daysailor. It''s been sitting in a driveway for years, yet will need only minor repairs. The woman''s late husband bought it and she has no idea as to the actual model of the boat. The hull was redone the last season it sailed, and if there were any manufacturer''s identifying marks on it they are gone now. I know newer boats have a serial number plate on the port side of the transom, but this one is bare.

It has a cuddy, wooden seats, wood deck plates, a wooden cap on the centerboard, and about a 4" lip of wood around the cockpit. I''ve not seen a 16'' O''Day with that much wood. Anyone got any ideas what this boat may be?

I do have the numbers from when it was last registered, and plan to call the Secretary of State on Monday to see if they have the make/model on file, and if they''ll share that information.

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

Mark

[Irwin32]

Are you sure it is 16''? O''Day built a cuddy cabin 19'' Mariner designed by Rhodes that was a very nice boat. I wonder if this is what you are looking at. O''Day built a 14'' open cockpit called the Javelin and I believe a smaller 12'' call the Widgeon. Neither had a cuddy cabin.

[voodooacrobat]

Wow! You may be right! That would explain a lot. Since reading your post I''ve looked at a lot of Mariner photos and they look much closer to the boat I''m buying. I never actually measured it, but it did look larger than 16''. All of the rigging is there, the sails are in decent condition, but the wood and the trailer need work. Now that it may be a Mariner I''m even more excited about buying it!

Thank you for your input. I still plan to contact the Secretary of State to trace the registration, but I''ll be sure to bring a tape measure when I take delivery of the boat.

Thanks again,

Mark