In or out of the Cheaspeake ?

[landlockvasailor]

My wife is telling me not to take this 22 o'day on to the Cheaspeake but stay in fresh water. It is a shoal draft, probably won't point because it does not have a center board and it has a out board. Am I pushing to hard to go back into the Chessie with this style sailboat, or is it the desing better in a large lake.

Any opinions in my defense would be forward to my bride so that I am able to I told you so. If not, that OK also.

Tom
http://landlockedvasailor.blogspot.com/

[Jeff_H]

I had use of a 1970's era Oday 22 when I lived in Savannah, Ga. It was a fixed keel version that drew roughly 3' if I remember correctly. The boat sailed quite well. I frequently sailed her within the Wilmington River, which has a lot of current and could get a nasty chop near its mouth, and also out into the Atlantic on several occasions. The boat was a little lighltly built with goofy details like the mainsheet attached to the backstay, but it seemed up to that kind of sailing.

I am unclear about what you are saying about your particular Oday 22. Did it start life as a Centerboard version and someone removed the centerboard? If that is the case I would not even consider it safe for lake sailing since the iron centerboard on the centerboard models was a major part of the ballasting. Having an outboard should not be a problem if you watch your weather.

Jeff

[camaraderie]

In my opinion, the Oday 22 is not suitable for the open Chesapeke Bay...but there are lots of areas off the Bay which would be fine like some of the rivers and smaller bays. When you get steep 4-5 footers in a squall out there, you don't want to be in a lightly ballasted 22 footer.

[USCGRET1990]

Originally Posted by landlockvasailor

My wife is telling me not to take this 22 o'day on to the Cheaspeake but stay in fresh water. It is a shoal draft, probably won't point because it does not have a center board and it has a out board. Am I pushing to hard to go back into the Chessie with this style sailboat, or is it the desing better in a large lake.

Any opinions in my defense would be forward to my bride so that I am able to I told you so. If not, that OK also.

Tom
http://landlockedvasailor.blogspot.com/

Quit being a weenie and go where you want to...getting back will make you a sailor....

[JohnRPollard]

Tom,

It sounds to me like you have the shallow draft keel version of the O'Day 22. That keel was very long, but only extended about a foot or so beneath the bottom of the hull. In appearance, the keel looked very much like a centerboard that had been pulled up against the bottom of the hull. I recall the draft for this configuration was something less than 2 feet.

My brother had one for several years. It is definitely more suited to sheltered waters. However, we sailed it a fair bit out in the Atlantic, off the coast of Massachusetts, sometimes making harbor-hopping runs of 15-20 miles usually within a few miles of shore. We chose our weather windows, but it was certainly up for the task in moderate conditions. Once though, he got harbour-bound for 3-4 days when a modest nor'easter kicked up and the boat simply was not up to the return trip in those conditions.

As far as sailing it on the Chesapeake, I don't see why you couldn't. It's every bit as capable as say a Catalina 22 (though with that keel definitely not as weatherly), which we see all over the place (and in which my sister, her husband, and two kids cruised everywhere we went in our Dana 24). However, you must recognize its limitations, watch the weather, and be prepared to hunker down if it comes on to blow. Sometimes this may not be the most convenient outcome schedule-wise, but -- assuming you are experienced -- by adopting this approach you could safely see a lot of the Bay in that boat.

[landlockvasailor]

Thanks for all your coments, no I am not a wennie, but have been told by my wife to buy more life insurance if I take this out into the bay. The last boat a 41 Morgan ketch 416 was more suited for the bay, but since being landlocked, the travel time is prohibitive, 4.5 hours, to the bay.

It is good to hear that it will get up and go. As to the traveler, I am going to install one close to the stern to keep more control over the boom.

It is, I think more of a light air boat, which is going to take some use to. I am more accustom to having 20-25 knots to get the 416 moving. It sounds like, 10-15 will do well for this vessel.

And I probably adhered to the threats, wishes, tongue lashing by my bride of 40 years. I guess I am a wennie

[SVAuspicious]

A light air boat is great on the Bay in Summer. You should have a great time. Watch the weather for afternoon thunderstorms, but other than that have a blast.