Opinions of 1978 O`Day 30

[deanowens1966]

I've been doing research about the 1978 O`Day 30 that is for sale near where I live and I have heard many mixed and varied opinions about the build quality and sea worthiness of this boat. This is the keel version of the O`Day 30 and looks like it is in very good condition. I am debating if I should go have a look at it and the real question is:

1. Are there any on CF who have experience with this boat on the open ocean?
2. What upgrades do you think would be appropriate to help make this boat bluewater capable?

Please, if you have no real experience with this boat, please don't just bash the boat, manufacturer or me for that matter. The majority of the data I've gathered says that this vintage of O`Day 30 is well built with a solid un-cored hull, strong deck to hull joint and with some rigging upgrades it would be capable of my intention to sail it to the South Pacific.

[W3GAC]

For what's it's worth I have had a O'Day 28 for ten years. It was a 'project boat' when I spotted/ purchased it sitting in a weed field. Project boat in that the Diesel engine was toast and covered in/ out with black mold/ mildew. Redoing it I became VERY familiar with O'Days in general and my 28 in particular. On the plus side is O'Day's have a nice look to them to my eye, handle well, roomy below/ very nice use of space, good headroom, easy to service engine space/ access. Hull, deck FG is adequate for 'normal to snotty' sailing conditions. Having also another larger sailboat I use for serious off-shore trips (Cal 46 ketch) and therefore spoiled in my judgement, I'd say a O'Day 30 would be at my lower limit to go on serious off-shore/ true blue water trips/ cruising. Not so much regarding strength, but more mundane considerations like fuel/ water/ food/ gear capacity. You probably know boat inside volume goes up by the cube of extra boat length. So the difference between a 30' and 33' or even 36' is A LOT MORE than just 3 or 6'. From experience a 36' will feel like nearly half again to 2x bigger... and if their is two of you... that translates into feeling like twice as big, because you get actually have your own personal space for awhile during the day. With that volume comes bigger fuel, water, food, gear storage which all cruisers always struggle with. Basic water just isn't everywhere and it gets old... pulling up from a perfectly good anchor site and having to sail hours/ days (even backtrack) just to refill/ topofff water tanks. Bigger boat/ more keel weight makes for kindly boat motion sailing and at anchor. Let us know what you do/ report back how it goes.


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[Stu Jackson]

Nice boats pretty well made. In the condition you describe it's worth at least looking. You didn't say what USE you are going to have with the boat: local lakes and rivers or coastal.

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[deanowens1966]

Thanks for the excellent response. I appreciate it and will keep you updated.

[deanowens1966]

Originally Posted by Stu Jackson

Nice boats pretty well made. In the condition you describe it's worth at least looking. You didn't say what USE you are going to have with the boat: local lakes and rivers or coastal.

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Wellll.... If you Look at the last couple of sentences in my post you will get the idea.

[deanowens1966]

Quick update. The owner has informed me that this is the centerboard model. On to the next boat.


(SIGH)
I'd rather be sailing.

[bstreep]

I have a friend who is interested in selling his O'Day 30. Please pm me if you are interested. Boat is near SAn Antonio, TX.


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[pickpaul]

*cough* Alberg30 *cough* :-)

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[deanowens1966]

Thanks for the response, but San Antonio is a bit far from Central TN.

I'd love to find an Alberg 30 in our vicinity. But alas, no Albergs present.


(SIGH)
I'd rather be sailing.

[Cheechako]

I have looked at Odays, but not owned one. I would not consider them an offshore boat. But any boat could be for some people. JMHO.