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The feeling you get from owning a boat is a little like sex. If you've owned a boat, no
explanation is necessary...and if you haven't, no explanation is possible.
Here are some photos and comments sent in by O'Day owners. If you're one of them,
you will understand how we feel. If you don't have an O'Day, then buy one! You'll love
being part of the O'Day owners community.
explanation is necessary...and if you haven't, no explanation is possible.
Here are some photos and comments sent in by O'Day owners. If you're one of them,
you will understand how we feel. If you don't have an O'Day, then buy one! You'll love
being part of the O'Day owners community.
Mike Stern sent in this picture of his 1979 O'Day 23, Hukilau, that he sails out
of Branford, Connecticut. Says Mike, "I bought her from only the second owner
seven years ago, and have been having tons of fun since. I have upgraded her
with a new outboard, roller furling and some other goodies. Last summer, I bit
the bullet and replaced the original sails. This is a shot of Hukilau at a marina
in Milford, Conn., where she and her crew enjoyed a cruise last summer."
of Branford, Connecticut. Says Mike, "I bought her from only the second owner
seven years ago, and have been having tons of fun since. I have upgraded her
with a new outboard, roller furling and some other goodies. Last summer, I bit
the bullet and replaced the original sails. This is a shot of Hukilau at a marina
in Milford, Conn., where she and her crew enjoyed a cruise last summer."
David Ekstrom acquired his 1978 O'Day 32 just last July, but he's already
putting her through her paces in the waters around California's Channel
Islands. David is shown here sailing near Anacapa Island and taking
advantage of one of the features of the center cockpit design, a "built-in
backrest" formed by the aft cabin. David wrote "After many years of talking
about it and looking at dozens of boats, I finally got my first sailboat. As a first
time boat owner, I am at times overwhelmed with the endless upgrade
possibilities vs. the "just sail the darn boat and enjoy it" philosophy. As time
passes, I'm sure that conflict will balance itself out, but one thing I do know is
that I really happy that I found an O'Day 32."
putting her through her paces in the waters around California's Channel
Islands. David is shown here sailing near Anacapa Island and taking
advantage of one of the features of the center cockpit design, a "built-in
backrest" formed by the aft cabin. David wrote "After many years of talking
about it and looking at dozens of boats, I finally got my first sailboat. As a first
time boat owner, I am at times overwhelmed with the endless upgrade
possibilities vs. the "just sail the darn boat and enjoy it" philosophy. As time
passes, I'm sure that conflict will balance itself out, but one thing I do know is
that I really happy that I found an O'Day 32."
Bob Craigin sent in this photo of the Craigin family's 1986 O'Day 222, "Lazy
Daze", safely cradled in a boat lift but always ready for action on Bear Lake,
Michigan. "We previously trailer-sailed her to various locations such as the
North Channel in Lake Huron; Lake Michigan out of Arcada, Michigan;
along Sleepy Bear Dunes National Lake Shore; and for several years
sailed out of the Hammond Marina in Hammond, Indiana on my previous
boat, a 1980 O'Day 23 from which we sailed her in the Chicago lake front
area. I really miss my old O'Day 23 but also enjoy the easier trailering of
the 222.", says Bob.
Daze", safely cradled in a boat lift but always ready for action on Bear Lake,
Michigan. "We previously trailer-sailed her to various locations such as the
North Channel in Lake Huron; Lake Michigan out of Arcada, Michigan;
along Sleepy Bear Dunes National Lake Shore; and for several years
sailed out of the Hammond Marina in Hammond, Indiana on my previous
boat, a 1980 O'Day 23 from which we sailed her in the Chicago lake front
area. I really miss my old O'Day 23 but also enjoy the easier trailering of
the 222.", says Bob.
The Arnett family of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, sent in this photo
of their 1968 O'Day Tempest, "Cathy Louise" lying comfortably at anchor.
They have owned the boat since 2002 and sail the boat all year round,
weather permitting. They usually get in a couple of hours of sailing after
work and before dinner. "The Gulf Islands are truly the best", say these
Backyard Sailors.
of their 1968 O'Day Tempest, "Cathy Louise" lying comfortably at anchor.
They have owned the boat since 2002 and sail the boat all year round,
weather permitting. They usually get in a couple of hours of sailing after
work and before dinner. "The Gulf Islands are truly the best", say these
Backyard Sailors.
Brian Parent sent in this photo of his 1987 O'Day 28. Brian has the shoal
draft version of the 28, and sails it primarily in Long Island Sound. Brian
says the 28 is a great boat, an easy to handle comfortable cruiser. He
sails with his family of four, and keeps the boat in Connecticut.
draft version of the 28, and sails it primarily in Long Island Sound. Brian
says the 28 is a great boat, an easy to handle comfortable cruiser. He
sails with his family of four, and keeps the boat in Connecticut.
Jim Ekler shares this photo of a "half model" he made of an O'Day Sprite.
Jim says there are a fleet of three Sprites at his camp, and they have a ball
racing them. He made the model from the original plans for the boat
which was designed by R. H. Baker. The plans are titled "Dinghy for
George O'Day" and are dated December 1958.
Jim says there are a fleet of three Sprites at his camp, and they have a ball
racing them. He made the model from the original plans for the boat
which was designed by R. H. Baker. The plans are titled "Dinghy for
George O'Day" and are dated December 1958.
Dave Bittle sent in this drawing of his O'Day 25 underway. Says Dave,
"An artist friend of mine did this pen and ink drawing way back in '82 for
me as a Christmas present and I thought I'd share it with you and to
make it available for others to enjoy. We were on my 25 on an inland lake
in KS and it was blowing a good bit, he took a picture first then spent
some time doing this for me. I have just recently gotten my boat ready for
sailing, took a few years off for various other obligations but now sailing
calls."
"An artist friend of mine did this pen and ink drawing way back in '82 for
me as a Christmas present and I thought I'd share it with you and to
make it available for others to enjoy. We were on my 25 on an inland lake
in KS and it was blowing a good bit, he took a picture first then spent
some time doing this for me. I have just recently gotten my boat ready for
sailing, took a few years off for various other obligations but now sailing
calls."
Kelly and Conner Smith sail the family's 1976 O'Day 25 "Carpe Diem"
out of its mooring for the first time on Lake Arthur in Western
Pennsylvania. They had owned the boat only two days at the time of this
photo, but have a lot of sailing planned in the future.
out of its mooring for the first time on Lake Arthur in Western
Pennsylvania. They had owned the boat only two days at the time of this
photo, but have a lot of sailing planned in the future.
Annie's Song, a 1977 O'Day 25, is shown during O25 club racing for
Tradewinds Yacht Club on Carlyle Lake just east of St. Louis. Bill
MacKenzie is singlehanding.
Tradewinds Yacht Club on Carlyle Lake just east of St. Louis. Bill
MacKenzie is singlehanding.
Mr. Akira Takayama of O'Day Japan sent in this photo of the first O'Day 302
made in Japan. She was launched on July 19, 2005 at Traditinal Hayama
mariner. The proud new owner is Mr. Yuuichi Shiratori of Honda, Japan.
Akira mentioned a few of their many suppliers such as a lead wing keel
made by Mars Metal (Canada), a Kiwi Feather propeller made in New
Zealand especially designed by Martec Propeller (US). Cushions are
covered in Toray Ultralucente suede from Milano, Italy. The mast and boom
are by Chsspar Spar (sp), electric panel by Paneltronics, and wheel steering
by Edson.
made in Japan. She was launched on July 19, 2005 at Traditinal Hayama
mariner. The proud new owner is Mr. Yuuichi Shiratori of Honda, Japan.
Akira mentioned a few of their many suppliers such as a lead wing keel
made by Mars Metal (Canada), a Kiwi Feather propeller made in New
Zealand especially designed by Martec Propeller (US). Cushions are
covered in Toray Ultralucente suede from Milano, Italy. The mast and boom
are by Chsspar Spar (sp), electric panel by Paneltronics, and wheel steering
by Edson.
Your webmaster's 1976 O'Day 32, "Sloop Du Jour" is shown being blown
around in the canal behind his house in Fort Lauderdale. Hurricane Katrina
came ashore about 20 miles south of Fort Lauderdale as a Category 1
storm, and left eleven dead in south Florida. The Gulf Coast fared far worse.
Wilma paid a visit to South Florida as a Category 2 hurricane, with the eye
passing directly over us. Although we had trees and shrubbery blown down
and the power was out for two weeks, Sloop Du Jour sustained no damage.
around in the canal behind his house in Fort Lauderdale. Hurricane Katrina
came ashore about 20 miles south of Fort Lauderdale as a Category 1
storm, and left eleven dead in south Florida. The Gulf Coast fared far worse.
Wilma paid a visit to South Florida as a Category 2 hurricane, with the eye
passing directly over us. Although we had trees and shrubbery blown down
and the power was out for two weeks, Sloop Du Jour sustained no damage.
Jim and Susan Miller's 1983 O'Day 34, "Second Wind" is shown in her
slip in Whortonsville, North Carolina.
Jim says: "My wife and I sail in Pamlico Sound. This boat still sails
better in rough water than the Hunters and Beneteaus ."
slip in Whortonsville, North Carolina.
Jim says: "My wife and I sail in Pamlico Sound. This boat still sails
better in rough water than the Hunters and Beneteaus ."
Carol Thorsten-Stein submitted this photo of her 1984 O'Day 222,
"Underwater Options".
Carol says: "This was taken during a Sunday sail on Lake Massabesic
in Auburn, NH where we are members of the Massabesic Yacht Club.
There are a number of O'Days in the club, ranging from Widgeons to
25s...the lake is too small to take anything much bigger."
"Underwater Options".
Carol says: "This was taken during a Sunday sail on Lake Massabesic
in Auburn, NH where we are members of the Massabesic Yacht Club.
There are a number of O'Days in the club, ranging from Widgeons to
25s...the lake is too small to take anything much bigger."
Here is a shot of a rare O'Day Firefly dinghy sent in by Stuart Cork in Canada.
Stuart says: "I am the owner of a Firefly dinghy that was built in the late
1950's, and that I have owned since I rescued it when it was abandoned at
the Royal Canadian Yacht Club in 1975 when I was 15 years old. They were
very popular in Toronto in the 1950's, and 1960's, then fell out of favor when
fiberglass boats became available. Fortunately my boat had been stored in
doors for 5 years in a dinghy shed before I found it. However when I managed
to track down the owner and purchase the boat, I remember seeing half a
dozen other Fireflies being left outside to be destroyed by the elements at that
time.
My boat has been in storage for over 20 years, and is in pristine condition. I
own three sets of sails for it (cotton & Dacron), as well as 3 centre boards. It
is complete, original, and has not been modernized in any way."
Stuart says: "I am the owner of a Firefly dinghy that was built in the late
1950's, and that I have owned since I rescued it when it was abandoned at
the Royal Canadian Yacht Club in 1975 when I was 15 years old. They were
very popular in Toronto in the 1950's, and 1960's, then fell out of favor when
fiberglass boats became available. Fortunately my boat had been stored in
doors for 5 years in a dinghy shed before I found it. However when I managed
to track down the owner and purchase the boat, I remember seeing half a
dozen other Fireflies being left outside to be destroyed by the elements at that
time.
My boat has been in storage for over 20 years, and is in pristine condition. I
own three sets of sails for it (cotton & Dacron), as well as 3 centre boards. It
is complete, original, and has not been modernized in any way."
David Opheim's 1978 O'Day 27 "SlipAway" is shown tacking to the finish line
for first place on corrected time in the OYC Rights of Spring race,
Single-Handed Non-Spin Division on San Francisco Bay where there were
reported sustained winds of 35-40 knots.
David says: "I am on the leeward side, grinding in the jib during the tack. A
wild but fun ride in the tall-short chop, and SlipAway beat all the other (and
larger) boats to the windward mark, allowing only a 35 foot Erickson to finish
in front. That was OK since I corrected out 8 minutes ahead of her."
for first place on corrected time in the OYC Rights of Spring race,
Single-Handed Non-Spin Division on San Francisco Bay where there were
reported sustained winds of 35-40 knots.
David says: "I am on the leeward side, grinding in the jib during the tack. A
wild but fun ride in the tall-short chop, and SlipAway beat all the other (and
larger) boats to the windward mark, allowing only a 35 foot Erickson to finish
in front. That was OK since I corrected out 8 minutes ahead of her."
This photo shows O'Day 28 "Narayana", on its maiden voyage in September
of 2004. Hardy Gillam, Rear Commodore of the Edenton Yacht Club, writes:
"I am adult leader of Venturing Crew 156. We are the proud owners of an
O'Day 28 shoal draft sailboat named the Narayana. We are currently racing
in the Edenton Yacht Club races. The Crew's main focus is sailing, and is a
co-ed group sponsored by the Edenton Yacht Club & St Anne's Catholic
Church under the auspices of Boy Scouts of America. It is comprised of 4
adult leaders and approximately 9 boys and girls ages 14-21. We have been
in existence since 2002, and also have restored a 78 McGregor Venture
swing keel named the Barbwire & Roses."
of 2004. Hardy Gillam, Rear Commodore of the Edenton Yacht Club, writes:
"I am adult leader of Venturing Crew 156. We are the proud owners of an
O'Day 28 shoal draft sailboat named the Narayana. We are currently racing
in the Edenton Yacht Club races. The Crew's main focus is sailing, and is a
co-ed group sponsored by the Edenton Yacht Club & St Anne's Catholic
Church under the auspices of Boy Scouts of America. It is comprised of 4
adult leaders and approximately 9 boys and girls ages 14-21. We have been
in existence since 2002, and also have restored a 78 McGregor Venture
swing keel named the Barbwire & Roses."
Steve Gleason sent in this picture of his 1977 O'Day 27, taken during the
2004 Figawi Race Weekend.
Says Steve: "At first they weren't going to let us race our O'Day 27 because
its PHRF rating was too high (231). They told me the limit was 221, and that
it was too slow, so I sent them some old clippings that I found on the
Internet on the O'Day 27. A few told about how Jim Hunt, the president of
O'Day and an Olympic Gold medalist never lost a race in the O'Day 27, but
they didn't want to hear it. I even tried to get Jim to sail with us as he is an
old family friend, but he was not available. So I made the necessary
changes and brought the rating down to get into the race. Not only did we
finish sixth in our class of 15, we also finished 35th out of 103 overall.
O'Day has been a part of my life for as long as long as I can remember. We
moved to Freetown, MA, in 1972 when my father, Bernard Gleason started
working for O'Day in Fall River, MA. He worked his way up the ladder, and
was CFO, General Manager until around 1990. We would always have the
newest O'Day every year, working up to the 27. Unfortunately our mother
wasn't big on sailing with seven kids, so we stopped sailing around 1980.
My brother Bob and I started sailing with a friend a few years ago and
wished we had never stopped. When it came time to buy our own boat,
there was no question it was going to be an O'Day. We now have two
O'Days in the family, a 1977 27 and a 1980 28; both sail out of Fairhaven,
MA."
2004 Figawi Race Weekend.
Says Steve: "At first they weren't going to let us race our O'Day 27 because
its PHRF rating was too high (231). They told me the limit was 221, and that
it was too slow, so I sent them some old clippings that I found on the
Internet on the O'Day 27. A few told about how Jim Hunt, the president of
O'Day and an Olympic Gold medalist never lost a race in the O'Day 27, but
they didn't want to hear it. I even tried to get Jim to sail with us as he is an
old family friend, but he was not available. So I made the necessary
changes and brought the rating down to get into the race. Not only did we
finish sixth in our class of 15, we also finished 35th out of 103 overall.
O'Day has been a part of my life for as long as long as I can remember. We
moved to Freetown, MA, in 1972 when my father, Bernard Gleason started
working for O'Day in Fall River, MA. He worked his way up the ladder, and
was CFO, General Manager until around 1990. We would always have the
newest O'Day every year, working up to the 27. Unfortunately our mother
wasn't big on sailing with seven kids, so we stopped sailing around 1980.
My brother Bob and I started sailing with a friend a few years ago and
wished we had never stopped. When it came time to buy our own boat,
there was no question it was going to be an O'Day. We now have two
O'Days in the family, a 1977 27 and a 1980 28; both sail out of Fairhaven,
MA."
Doug Kilgore's 1968 Mariner, "The Windward Rail", is shown during an
exhilirating sail last summer, on a beam reach and kicking up a wake.
exhilirating sail last summer, on a beam reach and kicking up a wake.
Steve McNaney emailed this picture of his O'Day 20, taken on its test run in
Naples, NY. It was moored on Canandaigna Lake for 10 years before he
moved it to Sodus Bay on Lake Ontario.
Naples, NY. It was moored on Canandaigna Lake for 10 years before he
moved it to Sodus Bay on Lake Ontario.
Jeremy Allinson, a Marine Engineer from Australia, sent in this picture of his
O'Day 39, "Forever Young", taken on a crossing from Chagos to
Madagascar last year. The boat is currently in Richard's Bay, South Africa,
while he is topping up the bank account. Jeremy believes he may be the
only O'Day owner in Australia.
O'Day 39, "Forever Young", taken on a crossing from Chagos to
Madagascar last year. The boat is currently in Richard's Bay, South Africa,
while he is topping up the bank account. Jeremy believes he may be the
only O'Day owner in Australia.
Ken Mahren has owned his 1976 O'Day 25, "Miss T", for five years. It is
undergoing restoration including a headsail furler, depth and speed
electronics, interior upgrades, and small additions too numerous to list. It is
shown here at sunset on Lake Champlain, Vermont.
undergoing restoration including a headsail furler, depth and speed
electronics, interior upgrades, and small additions too numerous to list. It is
shown here at sunset on Lake Champlain, Vermont.
Randy Yates and his sons, Russell and Jerry, maneuver their O'Day 23
"Maggie May" to the start line of the Brazos Sailing Club's Snake Island
Regatta on Somerville Lake near College Station, TX. They have owned
Maggie May for 11 years and after total restoration have since sailed her
constantly.
"Maggie May" to the start line of the Brazos Sailing Club's Snake Island
Regatta on Somerville Lake near College Station, TX. They have owned
Maggie May for 11 years and after total restoration have since sailed her
constantly.
Steve Rooney sent in this picture of his O'Day Sprite in full sail, with Steve at
the helm and his niece on board. Steve says, " A banner day in northern
Vermont - (we) sailed for 4 hours."
the helm and his niece on board. Steve says, " A banner day in northern
Vermont - (we) sailed for 4 hours."
Carolyn and Bill Hackett's 1976 O'Day 25, “Sea Bee”, on the way from Marina
Del Rey, California to its home port of San Diego, with a stop overnight in
Dana Point.
Del Rey, California to its home port of San Diego, with a stop overnight in
Dana Point.
Fred Ostager has owned "Ariel", a 1983 O'Day 34, for five years. This is a
picture he took returning to his home port of Waukegan, Illinois at sunset,
after crossing Lake Michigan.
picture he took returning to his home port of Waukegan, Illinois at sunset,
after crossing Lake Michigan.