O'Day 30

[sailboy21]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

As for the swing keel/centerboard being sealed up...that's a minus in my book.

Agree.. I didn't see that point. If my O'Day 25 experience applies (the hull form is very similar) it won't sail to windward to speak of. Pass...

[sailingdog]

The boat was designed as a keel/centerboarder for a reason. The reason was to accommodate a shoal draft while still allowing decent upwind performance. Removing the use of the centerboard makes it a lousy upwind performer... and that can be trouble if you're in a lee shore situation. Also, maintenance on a centerboard isn't all that much. I'd be curious to know how the centerboard trunk was sealed up and why.

[josrulz]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

The boat was designed as a keel/centerboarder for a reason. The reason was to accommodate a shoal draft while still allowing decent upwind performance. Removing the use of the centerboard makes it a lousy upwind performer... and that can be trouble if you're in a lee shore situation. Also, maintenance on a centerboard isn't all that much. I'd be curious to know how the centerboard trunk was sealed up and why.

I tend to agree with you on this point, sailingdog. I personally would not purchase a centerboard boat that had the board sealed up. I've heard of it working all right on some boats, and I sailed a Pearson 36 once that had the board sealed up and we still did pretty well to windward. I'm guessing the O'Day could really use that board though.

[sailingdog]

did you compare how you did to windward with a pearson 36 that had a working centerboard??? I'm guessing you didn't... and you'd probably be surprised by what a difference it does make.

Originally Posted by josrulz

I tend to agree with you on this point, sailingdog. I personally would not purchase a centerboard boat that had the board sealed up. I've heard of it working all right on some boats, and I sailed a Pearson 36 once that had the board sealed up and we still did pretty well to windward. I'm guessing the O'Day could really use that board though.

[josrulz]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

did you compare how you did to windward with a pearson 36 that had a working centerboard??? I'm guessing you didn't... and you'd probably be surprised by what a difference it does make.

No we didn't compare, and I would have preferred to have the centerboard, so I completely agree with your point. I probably was not very clear in my posts that I would also be very concerned about the CB not being usable. And since I've not sailed an O'Day 30, I'd guess it would have a major negative impact not to have it. I was only pointing out that some boats seems to do all right without it, but certainly not suggesting it's not a big deal. I agree that it is.

As for the Pearson 36, we made more leeway than I would prefer, though we did beat the pants off of a larger boat (whose skipper was trying) upwind, but that boat was a different make/model, so it's not a fair comparison (I'd prefer to believe that I'm an exceptional sailor, but oh well) . I just meant that I was able to get where I wanted to go without the board, even upwind. Still, I'd still prefer to have the centerboard operational, and would recommend the same to others--especially when there are SO MANY other boats out there (including O'Day 30s) that are fully functional.

[JSailer]

I looked at the boat again today and I'm more and more attracted to it.
The interior/cosmetic doesn't seem like a big project. My significant other said she can't wait to make new cushion, etc. (time will tell )
I appreciate everyone's comment and advice on the Atomic 4.
The center board situation is certainly a concern. I plan on going for a sail in the next few days to see how bad (or good) it points without the CB.
I guess I'm attracted to the new rigging, spar, sails for that kind of price.

[deniseO30]

I"ve an 82 O-30 with the fin keel. 4'11" draft. 16 hp universal diesel. I love the boat more each year! And I'm going on my 3rd year with her too!

If you contact Rudy at D & R marine I think he has a new centerboard keel for your boat.

good luck!

[JSailer]

I can't tell you how much I appreciate everyone's comments and advice.
I made an offer on the boat, subject to satisfactory survey and it was accepted.
The survey is scheduled for Wednesday.
Then hopefully we'll close the deal and I will leave the boat on blocks and have the bottom paint done.
The yard gave me a quote of $900 for the sanding and epoxy bottom paint.
Any comments on that?

Also, as far as the instruments, I had first written the boat didn't have a depth sounder but it actually has a new Hummingbird fishfinder waiting to be installed and the gentleman was waiting to see where the buyer would want it placed before putting it in.
So... my question now is what do you think of putting in a GPS/Depth Sounder unit instead. This way I would only have one unit out there instead of two separate ones.
Of course I need to keep the cost down. I found a Lowrance M68C S/Map Fishfinder Chartplotter for $399. Any thoughts?

[BarryL]

The yard gave me a quote of $900 for the sanding and epoxy bottom paint.
Any comments on that?

Yes. It's not possible to sand, epoxy coat, and apply antifouling paint for $900. The cost of the epoxy barrier coat and antifouling paint will be close to $400 alone. You should find out exactly what the yard will do for $900. Perhaps all they will do is a quick sand and then apply antifouling paint. That may be OK, but without seeing the current bottom there is no way to know if that is a good idea or not.

I found a Lowrance M68C S/Map Fishfinder Chartplotter for $399. Any thoughts?

I had that unit in my Newport. It was an excellent unit and I really liked it. My only complaint is that the screen is small (3.5"). On my O'day I moved up to a 5" screen which is easier to see. The bigger units cost significantly more money ($600+) so if the 3.5" display works for you, it's a great unit.

Good luck,
Barry

[sailingdog]

I'd keep the two units separate. First, if the single unit fails, you're out two navigation instruments—the GPS and the depthsounder. Second, the screen on the smaller units really can't accommodate both the GPS chart plotting function and the the fishfinding function at the same time.