O'Day 39 - Too Much Boat for the $$$ ?

[cla6665]

I am looking around for a 39/40 sailboat and I came across a O'day 39. The price I think is good ( $45K here in the US), it seams a lot of boat for $45K....
We are planning to liveaboard and cruise the Caribbeans, Bahamas, Jamaica, etc...etc... for we don't know how long......
Is this a boat that has issues ( in general) or it would be fine for a family of four. I am just a bit "worried" about the low price for that size boat.
How does it handle ruff seas????
Cheers

[Doodles]

Originally Posted by cla6665

I am looking around for a 39/40 sailboat and I came across a O'day 39. The price I think is good ( $45K here in the US), it seams a lot of boat for $45K....
We are planning to liveaboard and cruise the Caribbeans, Bahamas, Jamaica, etc...etc... for we don't know how long......
Is this a boat that has issues ( in general) or it would be fine for a family of four. I am just a bit "worried" about the low price for that size boat.
How does it handle ruff seas????
Cheers

I've never been a big fan of O'Days except as a Bay boat, so I'd say keep looking. There are better deals out there in your price range.

[delmarrey]

My concern would be draft considering where you plan to sail. See if it's a shoal draft boat.

[cla6665]

What would be a goof choice in that price range???

[cla6665]

Sorry good

[Doodles]

Originally Posted by cla6665

What would be a goof choice in that price range???

Morgan 382, 383 or 384. Have some friends cruising the Bahamas now in one. Good solid boats and there are usually several on the market to choose from.

Here's one in your area ....1979 Morgan 382 Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

[speedoo]

How about a Beneteau Idylle 11.5, like this one:

1985 Beneteau Idylle 11.5 Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

Layout just like the ODay but a much better boat IMO. If you are interested in one, we should talk because I am about to put mine on the market. It's in Connecticut. Shoal draft, great for the Bahamas.

[cla6665]

What would be the minimum size for a family of 4 to liveaboard.
I am thinking in the 40ft range,

Speedo when are you going to put in in the market?

[Doodles]

Originally Posted by cla6665

What would be the minimum size for a family of 4 to liveaboard.
I am thinking in the 40ft range,

Well, Dave and JaJa Martin circumnavigated on a Cal 25 with two kids!

[cla6665]

Yeah, the problem is not the kids but the Boss, if you know what I mean.....

[speedoo]

Originally Posted by cla6665

What would be the minimum size for a family of 4 to liveaboard.
I am thinking in the 40ft range,

Speedo when are you going to put in in the market?

I was planning by Labor day but if you are in a hurry I can show you the boat sooner. PM me your email and I will try to get you some additional info.

For long term liveaboard I'd say some, but not all boats in the 40 ft. range will give you adequate accommodations below. For the kind of sailing you want to do in the tropics, you'll be spending most of your time in the cockpit or on deck, so I don't think you need a much bigger boat for a family of 4.

[delmarrey]

A family of 4, liveaboard? I'd go with a 45' just for madam's boudoir.

[GeoPowers]

We looked at an O'Day 39 in our boat search (we are a liveaboard family of 4). I don't remember a ton about her other than it wasn't remarkably poor or great. I thought the boat would be doable for us, but not the best. It seemed like a small boat for a 39'er.

You might want to look for a charter version of an older Beneteau such as a late eighties Oceanis 390, which would be a 3 cabin version. I know some liveaboards whose kids don't have their own cabin, but we are glad we held out for two quarter berths. It IMO is a quality of life issue for the kids as they get older. If you're not sold on three cabins and think you can get by with 2, perhaps consider a Morgan Out Island 41...

[Doodles]

Originally Posted by GeoPowers

We looked at an O'Day 39 in our boat search (we are a liveaboard family of 4). I don't remember a ton about her other than it wasn't remarkably poor or great. I thought the boat would be doable for us, but not the best. It seemed like a small boat for a 39'er.

You might want to look for a charter version of an older Beneteau such as a late eighties Oceanis 390, which would be a 3 cabin version. I know some liveaboards whose kids don't have their own cabin, but we are glad we held out for two quarter berths. It IMO is a quality of life issue for the kids as they get older. If you're not sold on three cabins and think you can get by with 2, perhaps consider a Morgan Out Island 41...

He makes an excellent point about the three cabins and the kids. Not sure what your price range is but here is one pretty reasonable and in your area ...1988 Beneteau Oceanis 390 Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

Shoal draft too.

[danmonk]

Just thought I would share my thoughts. First the O'Day 39 is a Jeanneau Sun Fizz that was made under licence. They are available in both a 3 cabin, 2- head version (39) and a 2- cabin 1 head version (40). They are offshore proven, I know of two which are currently offshore and have been to the Caribbean and Mexico several times. We own an 82' 3 cabin version and find it quite comfortable with our family of four. She is a great handling boat and sails very well. The construction is very good and on par with the European boats. Pre 86 have solid core hull, later ones have cored. We primarily sail in the Pacific Northwest (i.e. large tides and currents and big seas!) I would not hesitate to take the family offshore in this boat. Have a look at Practical Sailors review which is quite good (for them).