[cappinstabbin]

Hey guys!

So if anyone saw my other post about the irwin 28 i was looking at with the soft hull. I am soooo happy i didnt let my passions make me jump the gun because i found an absolutley gorgeous 1984 oday 26 in forked river nj. I have to bring the boat down to Atlantic City once it warms up here in the north east because right now i could probably trailer it over the frozen bays haha. I was wondering if anyone can offer any advice bringing the boat i have never driven before down the icw the roughly 60 miles to Atlantic City. It has a 2006 honda 4 stroke electric start extra long shaft motor with veryyy low miles on it. How many gallons of fuel would you estimate the trip will take under ideal conditions? Any advice or tips is greatly appreciated, i never captained a boat this far myself, especially one i am not used to. So i am kind of nervous but very very excited.


Thanks guys

 

[mljohnson1]

Congrats on your new boat!

I'm an owner of a 84' O'day 26 as well and so far love mine. You may already be aware but be sure to check a few of the known "problem areas" for the 26. Inspect close around the mast step area for signs of water entry or depression (many owners have had to cut away the step area and reglass).

While I can't comment on the fuel situation much as I have a different outboard (Mercury 4 stroke 6 hp), I will mention that although most will tell you that only a 3.2 gallon gas tank fits in the gas locker there is a specific brand that makes a 6 gallon that will fit. I can't recall the brand now but it may be worthwhile to do some research on that.

Fair winds,

 

[cappinstabbin]

He told me that he needed to get the mast step area redone. He showed me the survey reports and it actually increased the value of the boat. There was water getting in through where the wires for the mast went through the deck. Is this the same problem you are talking about?

 

[deniseO30]

you need to get an Oday 30 and the NJ intercoastal is for power boats, I've not yet tried the coast but everyone says it's easy.. the inlets are the killer/s GOOD LUCK.

 

[krisscross]

I would calculate fuel use as 1.25 gallon per hour, 4 mph speed on 60 mile distance. That is 18.75 gallons. If you run into a chop, adverse wind, etc. that could double. Check out in advance the places where you can refuel along the way.

 

[mljohnson1]

He told me that he needed to get the mast step area redone. He showed me the survey reports and it actually increased the value of the boat. There was water getting in through where the wires for the mast went through the deck. Is this the same problem you are talking about?

I've seen people say it comes from different areas but essentially there is a square of balsa right under the mast step that will rot out if there is any water entry. You'll see gel coat cracking around the step and there may be a "depression in the gelcoat". The repair essentially is cutting out that rotten balsa and glassing the area back in.

On the fuel situation I would say carrying 20 gallons shouldn't be an issue. 6 gals in gas locker, 6 gals in secondary external tank in cockpit floor (annoyance but oh well). If you wanted to really avoid stopping for fuel I guess you could secure some fuel in the aft compartment provided it's sealed well. That's one of the things I like about the 26' is that massive space where the inboard diesel would have been.

 

[JimsCAL]

My guesstimate of your probable fuel consumption on the 60 nm trip is more like 10 gallons (and probably much less). It's hard to believe a 26 foot boat at 4 kts would only make about 3 miles per gallon. I had a Pearson 26 with a 2-stroke engine and would get about 10 or more when motoring in calm conditions at 5 kts.

 

[cappinstabbin]

There was some cracking in the gelcoat around the step. I am kind of nervous now. Im guessing that rotted wood under there probably really adds to the chances of getting the mast blown off? There wasn't any depression. The whole thing was redone in 06 i think he said. Yea i will bring about 20 gals i think just to be safe. Its a 4stroke and I'm guessing it's going to be ok on gas from what i read.

 

[deniseO30]

Suggestion, get a survey!

 

[SHNOOL]

We have (2) Oday 26s in our club, both had the mast step issue. Both were repaired quite quickly by the owners, and from below, so you can barely see the work they did. The depression was quite noticeable on the sunken mast step when it happened.

I can't speak to the fuel consumption.

The Oday 26, being a shoal keel/centerboard design I'd say skinny water shouldn't be a big issue. Of course you could haul the boat, plop it on a trailer, and move it via land. A Catalina 25 swing keel trailer would work.

 

[eherlihy]

RE: fuel consumption - it would HELP if we knew what size (hp or cc) "2006 honda 4 stroke electric start extra long shaft motor with veryyy low miles on it." My guess would be an 8, 9.9, or 15hp, with the highest likely contender the 9.9 (that would be my preference).

Also, when refering to a marine engine, we usually count hours, not miles...

This is a total SWAG, but assuming that you have the 9.9, you will probably push that 4800lb O'day 26 to about 5kts at 1/2 throttle. That engine probably burns 3/4 gallon per hour at 1/2 throttle, and you want to go 60 miles. Assuming no current (and that is unlikely), that 60 miles will take you 11 hours, and burn 8.75 gallons of fuel. Assuming that ALL my assumptions are correct (and that's a stretch) I would not attempt this with less than 12 gallons aboard.

 

[eherlihy]

... Bring a cell phone, portable VHF, charts, an anchor, motor oil, food and water in addition to the USCG required equipment if you decide to make this trek by water.

 

[mljohnson1]

RE: fuel consumption - it would HELP if we knew what size (hp or cc) "2006 honda 4 stroke electric start extra long shaft motor with veryyy low miles on it." My guess would be an 8, 9.9, or 15hp, with the highest likely contender the 9.9 (that would be my preference).

Also, when refering to a marine engine, we usually count hours, not miles...

This is a total SWAG, but assuming that you have the 9.9, you will probably push that 4800lb O'day 26 to about 5kts at 1/2 throttle. That engine probably burns 3/4 gallon per hour at 1/2 throttle, and you want to go 60 miles. Assuming no current (and that is unlikely), that 60 miles will take you 11 hours, and burn 8.75 gallons of fuel. Assuming that ALL my assumptions are correct (and that's a stretch) I would not attempt this with less than 12 gallons aboard.

Just my humble opinion but I believe a 9.9hp is not necessary for this boat if it's not what you have. I use a 6hp 4-stroke mercury and have no issues of being underpowered. I spent most of my time an inland like but the rivers around here have a fair amount of current at times.

 

[eherlihy]

I'm not pushing the 9.9, other than it is the same weight and size as the 8. I believe it just uses a different carburetor. Heck, the Colgate 26s that I teach on (2600lbs, or roughly ½ the weight of the O'day 26) all use Yamaha 4-stroke 4s, and that is PLENTY of HP for that boat.

Frankly, I think the 15 would be ridiculous, but one never knows...

 

[cappinstabbin]

Sorry! It is an 8hp and i did mean hours not miles lol, the old owner kept it docked a stones through from Barneget Bay where he would throw the sails up.
I have a mounted vhf in it brand new, and a portable one, i have a decent amount of experience with navigating the back bays of NJ. Even though i am a bit nervous about the trip, i think it will be ok, take my time, if it is 11 hours i will probably spend the night on her either at a transient dock along the way or at anchor, (with my handy anchor alarm app " It looks like it is definitely the same problem everyone else had with the "wet core." Does anyone know how much it would cost to get this fixed guestimating? I am not friendly with fiberglass repair and would like to get it done professionally. Also would it be reckless to try and get a season out of her first? I'm not a hardcore sailor type, i enjoy cruising, theres no real sinking as far as i can see, but definitely spider cracks, and leakage. I really appreciate all the help, you guys are all pretty cool, usually internet forums are filled with very touchy, generally mean people lol.

 

[cappinstabbin]

https://flic.kr/p/ramFp6 here is a pic of the step. Hopefully the link works.

 

[SHNOOL]

Ooh that step looks sound still... However, you need to get those cracks ground out, and sealed, those are more than spider cracks.

Also what is the deal with the duct tape repair? What's under that? Looks like another crack... But yeah the step looks sound for now, but won't be without sealing it up.

Usually its just grind it out wider, resin into the crack, let it dry, sand, then gelcoat. Or once dry you can paint.

 

[mljohnson1]

Yea I don't see a big problem with the step in the picture but I can't tell if its depressed from the angle. You should be good, just keep an eye on it. The core we are talking about is almost the same size as the white gel coat square under the step. It's separate from the deck core.

 

[cappinstabbin]

Nice! The other pics are on that flickr page. I got it for 2500! Im so excited ive been doing nothing but watching sailing videos online. Thanks do much for the help everyone.

 

[cappinstabbin]

It is a crack under that tape. The old owner put it on there. What could be causing those cracks?