O'day 302 lost keel

[denby]

Thanks for posting those John. I hope someone can tell what happened. The keel weighs about 3400 bl so there is quite a load there.

[US27inKS]

It looks as though there may have been some voids in the layup, but I'm no expert. The part that really concerned me about the layup was the fact that there is still a layer of glass attached to the bilge pump. It would have taken very little adhesion for the keel to have taken the bilge pump with it.

If you want to see more photos, I can post them.

Edit: I did hear rumors of another 302 with the keel loose at one of the other marinas at the lake. Rumors only though.

[blt2ski]

If this is one of the "time" bomb things that will happen due to unknown how too's at the time. It would not surprise me that another local boat has issues. Usually if one has an issue, another will in the same place, generally speaking, same time, or a variable time/use frame.

I have seen some J-Boat issues and there keels seeming to fall off too. Not sure how much of those issues are design/build, vs lack of maintenance by the owner, or pushing the boat beyond all expected means, and lack of maintenance..........

Marty

[US27inKS]

Originally Posted by blt2ski

If this is one of the "time" bomb things that will happen due to unknown how too's at the time. It would not surprise me that another local boat has issues. Usually if one has an issue, another will in the same place, generally speaking, same time, or a variable time/use frame.

Agreed. We have another Oday 302 in our marina. I haven't talked to the owner yet, but I would be surprised if he doesn't pull it for an inspection. 2 boats in the same lake with keel stub problems just a few months apart would make me pull my boat.

[sailhog]

John,
Do you know what year the boat is?

[US27inKS]

Originally Posted by sailhog

John,
Do you know what year the boat is?

1988

[deniseO30]

Weren't the last few years of Odays actually built by Pearson? Scary Pics! I must say (shudder)

[blt2ski]

The last few years the O'Days may have been built by Pearson for O'Day/Bangor Punta. BO is whom owned, Oday, Cal, ranger and at least Jeanneau in the 80's before all but Jeanneau went down. I would not be suprised of the French gvmnt had something to do with Jeanneau not going down, and getting picked up quickly but another outfit, then about 10 yrs later getting sold to Group Beneteau.

Pearson is or has been a builder of J-Boats too. So whom is to say these are not issues with the factory, "BUT" issues that will not show up for 20'ish yrs or there abouts too. Altho the J-Boats have been 5-10 or so yrs old IIRC, maybe a bit older.

If my mid 80s Jeanneau is built like the 80's O'Day, it would and does make me look at the keel as best as one can when she is hauled every yr or two.

I Heart O'Days may have some info on whom built what odays in what yrs, along with model numbers.

Marty

[Hillster]

Lear Siegler bought O'day from Bangor Punta in the mid eighties. Not all O'days have the keel bolt problem. The only ones that had loosening bolt issues (that I know of) were the 302 and the 322 (1987 thru C.O.B.). A keel falling off on these two models is not a common thing since over 500 were built (including both models). Many Catalinas and Hunters among other designs had keel issues over the years. Any large production run is going to have a few bad apples slip thru.

[Hillster]

I will say that it is wise to have the keel bolts checked on any boat with an external keel when you have her hauled for what ever reason.