o'day 15 sailboat review

Better Sailing

Are O’Day Sailboats Good? A Closer Look at a Classic Brand

For many, sailing is not just a hobby; it’s a passion, a lifestyle. It’s about the rhythm of the waves, the dance of the wind, and the thrill of the voyage. Certain names have made their mark at the heart of this world, and one such name is O’Day. An iconic brand in American sailing, O’Day sailboats have been a staple on the waters for decades. In this comprehensive review, we dissect what makes these boats unique and ask the central question: Are O’Day sailboats worth the hype?

Genesis: The Birth of a Legacy

Understanding O’Day requires a trip back in time. Founded in 1958 by Olympic sailor George O’Day, the brand’s inception was rooted in a clear vision: produce competitive sailboats that were both accessible and user-friendly. This dedication to quality and accessibility would become the hallmark of O’Day.

Stability Meets Performance

O’Day sailboats are often celebrated for their exceptional stability, a boon for both beginners and seasoned sailors. This stability doesn’t come at the expense of performance. Boats like the O’Day 22 and 25 were meticulously designed to ensure a stable voyage, even in challenging conditions. Combined with a carefully crafted hull, their keel configurations allowed for speed, agility, and safety.

Durability: Standing the Test of Time

The world of sailing is replete with tales of O’Day sailboats that have weathered countless storms and still sail proudly. The secret lies in their robust fiberglass construction. These boats have been known to provide decades of reliable service with proper maintenance. Their longevity is not just a testament to the quality of materials but also to O’Day’s craftsmanship and engineering prowess.

>>Also Read: Best Sailboat Brands

Inside an O’Day: Where Comfort Resides

Beyond the technical aspects, the interiors of O’Day sailboats speak of a dedication to comfort. Practical design ensures maximum space utilization. Ample headroom, cozy berths, and generous storage make them perfect for extended trips. While they might not compete with luxury yachts, the interiors have a charm that exudes warmth and coziness, making every journey memorable.

Value Proposition: Quality at the Right Price

George O’Day’s vision was not just about crafting exceptional sailboats but also about making them accessible. Throughout its history, O’Day’s pricing has reflected this commitment to value. Their boats, especially when compared to some competitors, often came with an appealing price tag. This accessibility has opened the world of sailing to many who might have found other brands prohibitive.

A Thriving Community

Brands that stand the test of time often foster strong communities, and O’Day is a shining example. Owners share a bond forged in the waters and reinforced at marinas, clubs, and online forums. This camaraderie is invaluable for new owners, providing a platform for shared experiences, maintenance tips, and even sailing adventures.

Moreover, the widespread popularity means that service, repairs, and spare parts are easier to find. Even decades after their prime, O’Day sailboats find support, love, and care from a dedicated community.

Limitations: Every Coin Has Two Sides

No review is complete without addressing potential drawbacks. Despite their many strengths, O’Day sailboats may not satiate every sailor’s needs. Some sailors looking for ultra-modern aerodynamics and speed might find them a tad underwhelming. Moreover, given their age, older models can demand significant investment in upgrades or overhauls to align with contemporary standards. However, many purists argue that this is a small price for owning a piece of American sailing history.

Are O’Day Sailboats Good? – The Verdict

O’Day sailboats have firmly anchored themselves in the chronicles of American sailing history. Their emphasis on stability, performance, and affordability made them a favorite among recreational sailors. And while they might not be the epitome of luxury or racing prowess, they undoubtedly offer a balance of quality and value.

O’Day sailboats are more than just vessels; they are narratives, stories of a brand that made sailing an attainable dream for many. Their boats aren’t just machines; they are companions on countless adventures, silent witnesses to the joys, challenges, and thrills of the open waters.

So, are O’Day sailboats good? The answer is nuanced. O’Day might not top your list if you seek modern, high-tech marvels. But if you’re looking for reliable, durable, and historically rich sailboats that offer a blend of performance and value, O’Day stands tall.

In the grand sailing arena, O’Day sailboats have etched their legacy, not just in fiberglass and sailcloth but in the hearts and memories of countless sailors. They represent a chapter in American sailing that speaks of innovation, dedication, and an undying love for the sea. Owning an O’Day is not just about possessing a boat; it’s about holding a fragment of history, a testament to the timeless allure of sailing.

Peter is the editor of Better Sailing. He has sailed for countless hours and has maintained his own boats and sailboats for years. After years of trial and error, he decided to start this website to share the knowledge.

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Boat Profile

O’Day Day Sailer

A proven performer for 61 years

From Issue   July 2019

T he production of small boats was booming in the 1950s on both sides of the Atlantic, and really took off in the late ’50s with the introduction of fiberglass. Famed designers Uffa Fox and George O’Day teamed up in 1956 to create the O’Day Day Sailer. Fox is credited with introducing the technique of planing to dinghy racing and designed many significant classes of boats, including the International 14. The story goes that Fox wanted a pure racing dinghy but O’Day wanted the small cuddy added to increase appeal to the recreational market in the U.S., so Fox designed the planing hull and O’Day designed the cuddy. The resulting Day Sailer was a 16’9” centerboarder with a displacement of 575 lbs, which makes for a light load to tow behind the family car. The fractional sloop rig includes a generously sized spinnaker for exciting downwind sailing.

The first Day Sailer was sold in 1958 and immediately became popular in the recreational and racing markets. It was later designated as the Day Sailer I as four different models have since been built, with over 10,000 boats hitting the waterways. Day Sailer (DS) models I through III have been built by eight different manufacturers, with the current Day Sailer being a modified DS I with a few DS II attributes, such as the internal foam flotation and cuddy thwart. The original DS models I, II, and III were built from 1957 to 1990 by the O’Day Company in Fall River, Massachusetts. The DS I and modified versions of it were later built by Can-AM Sailcraft, Rebel, Spindrift, Precision, McLaughlin, Sunfish/Laser Inc. The current builder of the DS I+ is the Cape Cod Shipbuilding Company (CCSC) in Wareham, Massachusetts, holder of the exclusive license since 1994. The Day Sailer Class Association owns the molds that are currently used by CCSC.

The long side benches in the cockpit provide uncrowded seating for six. The sole is above the waterline and is self-bailing.

The early DS I can be identified by wooden thwarts, seats, and cockpit sole, a centerboard lever, open cuddy, and a transom deck. The DS II came out in 1971 with built-in foam flotation. The cuddy opening is smaller than the opening on the DS I because it also acts as a thwart, and a thinner transom allows mounting a small outboard motor without the need for a bracket. The Day Sailer I and II are considered class legal for one design racing, but the DS III is not considered race-legal due to higher freeboard on the transom, which was a departure from Fox’s hull design. O’Day built the III from 1985 to 1990, so to race in One Design regattas it is important to buy a DS I or DS II. The current Day Sailer in production is a modified version of the DS I with improved self-rescuing capabilities, two sealed air tanks, and a cuddy flotation tank with a smaller hatch.

The Day Sailer, no matter which model, is a very versatile boat, easy to rig, sail, transport, and store. With the mast down the boat and trailer take up just a few feet more than an average family car, so can be stored in most garages, though the mast may need to be stowed diagonally. At the ramp, the Day Sailer can be rigged in under 30 minutes: step the mast, add the boom, bend on the jib and main, clip the pop-up rudder onto the transom, and sort out the sheets.

Stepping the mast is the biggest challenge. The 23′4″-long racing mast is stepped through the top of the cabin onto the maststep fixed to the floor of the cuddy, and that can be tricky for one person. The mast does not weigh much, but it is helpful to have a helper at the foot of the mast to guide it into the cuddy opening. The good news with this arrangement is that once the mast is stepped, it is secure, and there’s no rush to attach the forestay.

A mast hinge, a popular option, makes raising the mast much easier.

About 75 percent of the new boats are delivered with a hinged mast, eliminating the awkward gymnastics of stabbing the mast through the cuddy. Once the mast is raised and the forward hole on the hinge pinned, securing the forestay to the bow fitting takes the strain off the hinge. Side stays can then be tightened to take out the slack, but no more than hand tight. Stays that are too tight can damage the hull. Tighten the nuts on the turnbuckles and tape over any cotter pins.

There are different sheeting arrangements for the boom. Some boats have sheets attached in the middle of the boom; the sheet on a DS II starts from a traveler on the transom and ends forward on a swivel cam cleat mounted to the centerboard case. The DS II boom also has a spring in the gooseneck that allowed for roller furling— disconnect the sheet, pull the boom aft, and roll the sail onto the boom. A reefing claw has to be added to connect the sheet to the sail-wrapped boom, but this design is not optimum, nor is the wad of rolled-up sail by the boom’s gooseneck. A better arrangement is to add a conventional set of reefpoints to the mainsail. The boom also has a vang to improve sail control.

The 6′ 3″ beam gives the Day Sailer good stability, enough to keep the boat under someone standing on the foredeck.

The jib on the racing version of the DS is a standard affair, attached with hanks onto the forestay and raised with a halyard. Some skippers add a downhaul to lower the jib from the cockpit. Both the main and jib halyards are led aft on the top of the cuddy. The recreational version of the new DS I comes with a roller-furling jib, which we consider essential for sailing dinghies, especially if singlehanding. We have added a roller-furling jib to our DS II along with the mast hinge. We also added the hardware and rigging for a spinnaker, halyard, spinnaker pole, spinnaker pole control lines, sheet blocks, and jam cleats.

T he Day Sailer is a treat to sail; it handles well, tacks with ease, and powers up quickly with its large sail area. The planing hull is responsive to the tiller, and the wide beam makes it stable. The boat will roll quickly but then sets on a tack, holding it with stable and positive helm control. The centerboard can be easily adjusted from amidships.

We sail a Drascombe Lugger and a Sunfish; the Lugger drives like the family sedan and the Sunfish like our Mustang. The Day Sailer handling is closer to that of the Sunfish—when the breeze picks up, the mainsheet needs to be held in the hand and someone should be ready on the jibsheets. The jibsheets run through the coaming on the DS I and through small cars on the DS II. For the highest performance, skippers have added tiller extensions and hiking straps. There is an outhaul on the battened main; racing versions have barber-haulers and travelers added. Pop the spinnaker, and it will scoot along quite nicely in a light breeze.

The Day Sailer carries 100 sq ft in the main, 45 sq ft in the jib and, for sailing off the wind, another 95 sq ft in spinnaker.

The Day Sailer’s 7′ 4″-long cockpit provides plenty of room for three adults, or two adults and two kids. With four adults it gets cozy; there is not much moving around, so whoever is sitting next to the tiller or foredeck needs to know what to do. It is easy to depower the main, reef it, or furl the jib as needed.

The cuddy is spacious for storing picnic or camping gear, and it affords a space equivalent to a two-person backpacker tent for sleeping aboard for overnight cruising. Adding a topping lift makes the boom nice ridgepole for a boom tent; there’s plenty of room to sleep in the uncluttered cockpit. The Day Sailer has completed many endurance cruising events, such as the Texas 200, Florida 120, and the Everglades Challenge.

A small kicker can be added for auxiliary power. We have used both an electric trolling motor and gas outboard, with best results coming from a 2-1/2-hp four-stroke that pushed push the boat to 6 knots at one-third throttle. The DS I will require a bracket to support and outboard; the DS II transom is thin and sturdy enough for a direct mount. If we’re not going far from home, we occasionally skip the outboard and carry a paddle; with her low coaming we have paddled her a bit, even backward over the transom.

The transom of the Day Sailer II will accommodate an outboard for auxiliary power. The Day Sailer I will require a bracket.

D ay Sailers are easy to find and inexpensive, considering their capabilities. If you come across one, there are few important things to check. Make sure the centerboard moves in the trunk, see that the forestay tang and bow seam are not pulled up, inspect the cuddy deck for noticeable depression which would indicate failure of the maststep under the cuddy floor, and if it is a DS II look inside the flotation compartments. Rinse her off and get her ready to sail. There is a great Day Sailer Association with a web-based forum, and excellent parts availability.

Audrey and Kent Lewis enjoy time with CYANE, along with their small fleet of kayaks, canoe, sailboats, and lapstrake runabout. They blog about their adventures on smallboatrestoration.blogspot.com

Day Sailer Particulars

Length/16′ 9″

Draft, board up/9″

Draft, board down/3′ 9″

Displacement/575 lbs

Main/100 sq ft

Jib/45 sq ft

Spinnaker/96 sq ft

The Day Sailer is built by Cape Cod Shipbuilding Company . Prices start at $18,335 (less sails). For more information about the Day Sailer Class, visit the Day Sailer Association .

Is there a boat you’d like to know more about? Have you built one that you think other Small Boats Monthly readers would enjoy? Please email us!

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Comments (35)

Great article Kent! I have a sister to your boat, right down to the racing mast and blue hull!! But since we’re moving to the Pacific NW, I’m about to sell it. I’m limiting myself to only 3 boats for the move (and it’s a hard sorting out!!!!). Great write-up about a fantastic boat! Thanks! Charlie

My father was George O’Day. It is nice to know the basic design that my Dad helped create is still vibrant 60 years later. I always find it interesting since Dad was a pure racing sailor that he designed a boat and saw the importance of appealing to the recreational aspect of sailing. He wanted to open the door to the bigger audience to share his passion of sailing.

I sailed with your father on a Hobie 16 at a Red Cross small craft instructor program. So much fun sailing with a legend.

Charlie we know it’s hard, the Day Sailer is such a timeless boat. If she has to change skippers, find her a good one.

Miss Beth, so wonderful to hear from a family member, it must have been quite an adventure to grow up around boating and racing. That Day Sailer hull was Cap’n Jack’s favorite, we enjoyed looking at it. Thank you for the insight into your family’s history.

Cheers, Skipper and Clark

I’ve had an O’Day for years, my first sailboat. I love sailing her around our little lake.

This boat is the best for a small family. In Brazil it’s a great option.

O’Day DS was my first brand-new boat. I was a “veteran”of maybe six months sailing in the late 1960s and she taught me to love sailing.

Great boat design. I’ve sailed different ones on and off over the years. Still a favorite.

Beth, your father made great boats as my father still has an O’Day 20 he bought new in ’76 and it’s still like new and a great sailing boat!

I recently bought a 1966 model after downsizing from a Viking 28. My father owned a Rhodes 19 and we sailed that boat for years on the western end of Lake Ontario. The design was similar, so the transition to the 16 was easy. I love the boat because even in high winds I can make a simple adjustment to the main with reef points. Solo sailing is fun and safe. I can see why so many were sold.

Hello, I just bought O’day sailboat. I do believe from what I’ve been reading that it’s a Daysailer 1. I was told this boat has never been registered and never had a kicker motor on it, I can’t find the metal tag on the transom but I see the two rivet holes where it should have been. Is there any other place on this boat to find the serial number? I would like to put a kicker on it and register it and, if not, is there a way to register this boat? Thank you for helping

The requirements to register a small boat that has not been registered before is different for each state. In NY, a boat is registered through the DMV. HIN numbers are placed on the right side of the transom. If you do not have one your boat was made prior to 1972.

Thank you for the reply, I’m working on getting a HIN number now.

Check with O’Day. Some manufacturers hide a second HIN onboard. Worth a shot.

My boat has a plate on the inside toward the front of the boat. On the bulkhead (might not be the right term) behind the mast. You’ll have to crawl into the cubby to see it. It’s a little plate 2″ x 4″ and shows Hull no. and Class no. The paperwork I have says the boat was made in 1967. Does anyone know the difference between Hull number and Class number?

Can anyone give me today’s value of a 1960 O’Day Day Sailer, #333, with a small motor that goes on the mount with sails that all sit on a Dilly trailer? It has all the original woodwork that my husband redid. It does not have a spinnaker but has the jib and main and a Proctor mast.

My daughter and I are looking for an older (less expensive) sailboat. Not sure where your at , we are South of Boston. The O’Day is our first choice. If you are going sell, please reply to this comment. Thanks

[I’ll connect sellers to John. Ed.]

16′ O’Day Day Sailor with trailer and motor

2013 DS for sale in Sharon,MA. needs work on floatation tanks

At 30 years old, I just bought my first sailboat which is a 1965 DS I. The boat has sat for a few years and she needed a good power-washing plus painting of the hull and inside the cubby and several new lines. I’m completely inexperienced with sailing (plenty of time cleaning boats, though) and couldn’t be happier to learn on such a beautiful vessel. Thanks for this article! It’s great to get some background info. Plus, plenty of words to highlight as I expand my boating vocab.

Day Sailers are easy to find? I guess you know where to look (certainly no offers in Craigslist). I have not been lucky enough to come across a good one that is 10 to 20 years old. I live in Massachusetts. Would you mind sharing where to look for one?

I have an O’Day day sailer 16.5 ‘ up for the taking. Our family had years of good times sailing and camping with It. Great family boat. Wooden seats and rails. Needs some work. In central Massachusetts

I am assuming you have gotten rid of your O’Day day sailer – if not, I may be interested. I’m new to sailing at 57 years young! I just took lessons at KYC here in Blue Hill, ME and am looking for a great starter boat that I can learn in and have fun on the bay.

Thanks, Kelly

Actually, I just bought a 1989 DS2 from Craigslist, on trailer, for $300. It needs only minor work and a lot of cleaning. I hope to float it Saturday to see if it sinks like a rock (I know it has flotation), and will need glass work, but I could see nothing amiss while on the trailer.

So, never say never.

Hi Laranja, I just read your comment about trying to find a used O’Day Day Sailer. I live in Wareham where Cape Cod Shipbuilding is located, they are the current builders of the Day Sailer. They usually have used boats available. I have a 1971 DS, a wonderful boat.

I have a 2013 DS for sale in Sharon,MA. needs work on floatation tanks

Fantastic article

Interested in purchasing a fine example that was actively sailed

I agree with the many positive comments above. Great article! I was a longtime owner of an O’Day Widgeon (14′), and after many boat-less years I’m pleased to have purchased a 1984 O’Day Daysailer II just last week. It’s in good condition, and after sourcing a few needed part, I’ll enjoy it on lakes here in Georgia. Thanks for the great article, which has served as an orientation of sorts for me as to what to expect when I launch her for her maiden voyage under my ownership. A long-time marketing and sales executive, I’m naming her SAILS CALL!

I just got a DaySailer, thought it was a 67 DS1 but the transom is thick with a box on the port side by the transom so not sure now DSII?

I just today bought and brought home to MA a 1966 O’Day Day Sailer (as shown on the registration from NH), and it has a thick transom with lidded box on the port side. Also has a wide cuddly opening and wooden cowling and thwarts as described above for a DSI.

We’re down sizing from a 53′ Pearson to an O’Day 18 that someone offered us. I have no qualms about the sailing, but the temperature of the water here (Massachusetts to Connecticut) worries me very much, after a lifetime in the tropics. Are these dry boats when sailed conservatively?

I have a 2013 Cape Cod built DS for sale in MA. Needs some work on floatation tanks.

I just sold our Venturer 22 and picked up (rescued) an O’Day 16 DS. A couple weeks in the shop and it looks ready to sail. One question: the roller reefed main (boom) does not “lock in.” I suppose I could jiffy reef it but does anyone have experience with the roller reefing boom? Am I missing a part (the claw) or do I just not get it.

I want to buy an O’Day sail 17′

We have a 1976, 17′ foot O’Day DSll (?) on trailer that we are transferring to another family member. We are trying to figure out the best way to get it from Oregon to New Hampshire. Any ideas out there?

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• Sailboat Guide

O'Day 15-2

O'Day 15-2 is a 14 ′ 11 ″ / 4.6 m monohull sailboat designed by John Deknatel and built by O'Day Corp. between 1981 and 1983.

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

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Review of O'Day 15

Basic specs., sailing characteristics.

This section covers widely used rules of thumb to describe the sailing characteristics. Please note that even though the calculations are correct, the interpretation of the results might not be valid for extreme boats.

The immersion rate is defined as the weight required to sink the boat a certain level. The immersion rate for O'Day 15 is about 50 kg/cm, alternatively 282 lbs/inch. Meaning: if you load 50 kg cargo on the boat then it will sink 1 cm. Alternatively, if you load 282 lbs cargo on the boat it will sink 1 inch.

Sailing statistics

This section is statistical comparison with similar boats of the same category. The basis of the following statistical computations is our unique database with more than 26,000 different boat types and 350,000 data points.

What is L/B (Length Beam Ratio)?

Maintenance

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O’Day 30

With good performance, low maintenance, and a big interior, the 30 is a good coastal cruiser..

The first O’Day 30 we saw back in 1977 was named Moby Dick . Compared to most of the boats in our boatyard, she did look a lot like a great white whale: beamy white hull with high topsides, white deck, white cabin trunk, and not much exterior wood trim. But what really struck us about the boat was the amount of interior volume. The boat had as much interior space as most 34-footers built at that time.

With her straight sheerline and short overhangs, the O’Day 30 was not as handsome to our eyes then as more traditional-looking boats, but the design has held up surprisingly well. Today it still looks quite modern, yet more conservative than many newer Eurostyled boats.

Over 350 O’Day 30s were built between 1977 and 1984. During 1984, the 30 was modified by changing the keel and rudder, and the stern was lengthened to accommodate a European-style boarding platform. This “new boat” was called the O’Day 31, and it stayed in production until 1986.

O’Day 31 hulls are numbered, quite correctly, as a continuation of the O’Day 30 series. About 150 “stretched” O’Day 31 models were built.

Sailing Performance

With a typical PHRF rating of 177, the O’Day 30 is very close in speed to other modern cruiser/racers of the same length. The boat was never marketed as a racing boat: performance cruising has always been an O’Day concept.

The boat was originally built in two underwater configurations: a keel/centerboarder, and a fin keel of moderate depth. The centerboard version of the boat is about 500 pounds heavier than the keel version. The extra weight is mostly in ballast to give the two boats similar stability. Where PHRF committees distinguish between the two underwater configurations, the centerboard boat is rated about three seconds per mile slower—about what you would expect for the difference in displacement.

Upwind performance is good. Shrouds and genoa track are inboard, and the hull and keel shape from C. Raymond Hunt Associates is clean and modern without being extreme. Downwind, the boat is slow without a spinnaker.

The mainsail is very high aspect ratio, almost 4:1. Off the wind, this is ineffective sail area, and a poled-out headsail will not provide enough area in light air to really keep the boat moving. At the very least, an asymmetrical cruising spinnaker is called for.

Because the mainsail is small, the boat needs large headsails, and they will need to be changed frequently for optimum performance. With a small main, reefing is a relatively ineffective way to reduce sail area.

Standard sails with new boats were a main and 110% jib. In addition, the boat really needs a 150% genoa and a 130% genoa for good performance in a wide range of wind velocities. With a wide waterline beam and 40% ballast/displacement ratio, the boat can carry a fair amount of sail.

Unless the original owner specified the optional larger headsail sheet winches, you’ll have to consider upgrading if you go to big genoas: the stock winches are too small for headsails larger than 110%.

Most owners report the boat to be well-balanced under sail, but some early boats suffered from a lot of weather helm due to an excessively-raked mast. The solution is to shorten the headstay and eliminate almost all mast rake. This may require shifting the mast step aft 1/2″ for the mast to clear the forward edge of the mast partners.

Although the rig size did not change over the course of production, spars from three different manufacturers were used in the boat. The original rigs are by Schaefer. Kenyon spars were used in the middle of the production run, Isomat rigs in later boats. All the rigs are stepped through to the keel, and are properly stayed.

The standard location for the mainsheet traveler is on the bridgedeck at the forward end of the cockpit. From a purely functional point of view, this is a good location. Several owners in our survey, however, complain that the traveler limits the installation of a cockpit dodger. As an option, the mainsheet traveler was available mounted on a girder atop the deckhouse.

This is a tough call. The bridgedeck location is very handy for shorthanded cruising, since the person steering can reach the mainsheet from the helm, particularly on tiller-steered boats. At the same time, a good dodger is almost a must for cruising, and the midboom sheeting arrangement simplifies dodger design.

Although wheel steering was an option, you’ll find it on a large percentage of boats. Owners report no problems with the wheel installation. Early boats have a conventional, centerline backstay. On later models, a split backstay was standard, permitting a stern boarding ladder to be mounted on centerline.

All things considered, the O’Day 30 is a boat that performs well under sail. She’s not really a racer, but she will stay up with almost any boat of her size and type, and is easy to handle, to boot.

O’Day was one of the first big builders to take the all diesel route, even though the Atomic 4 was still a popular engine when this boat went into production. Not all of the engine installations in the O’Day 30, however, have been equally successful.

Originally, the boat was equipped with a singlecylinder, salt water cooled, 12 hp Yanmar diesel. This was one of the first Japanese diesels on the market, and one O’Day 30 owner reports that Yanmar replaced his engine—three years after the boat was built—due to a series of problems that simply could not be solved.

During 1978, the engine was upsized to a Yanmar 2QM15, since the boat was really underpowered with the smaller engine. Owners report that Yanmar installations are noisy, which is partially due to the fact that there is no sound insulation in the engine compartment.

As first built, the engine beds were attached to the walls of the engine box. According to one owner, this was such a bad arrangement that the vibration from the engine loosened the beds. Later boats have a molded fiberglass engine bed/drip pan combination, which is far better than the original installation.

With 1980 models, the Yanmar engine was dropped in favor of a two-cylinder, 16 hp Universal diesel. Owners report no problems with this engine.

Engine access is very good, particularly on later models. In early models, a panel behind the companionway ladder must be unscrewed to get to the front of the engine. On later models, a sloping panel in front of the engine can be removed, and the galley counter over the top of the engine can be lifted out of the way for complete access.

Lack of sound insulation is the weak point of the engine installation. It probably would have cost about $100 to provide halfway-decent sound insulation in the engine compartment when the boat was on the assembly line. You can do it after the fact, but not as simply or cheaply. We’d highly recommend this project, since without insulation the engine compartment resonates like a drum.

With the exception of the original, single-cylinder Yanmar, all of the engines are big enough to push the boat to hull speed in most conditions.

The standard, exposed, two-bladed solid prop causes a fair amount of drag under sail, but you should probably keep it unless you race. We feel a folding prop is not the way to go on a cruising boat, and a feathering prop would be disproportionately expensive on this boat.

Early boats have an 18-gallon aluminum fuel tank. Later models—after 1980—are usually equipped with a 26-gallon aluminum tank. The larger tank gives better range under power, despite the fact that the more powerful engines used late in the production run also use more fuel.

Construction

The hull of the O’Day 30 is an uncored fiberglass laminate. Hull stiffness is increased through the use of a full-length molded body pan, glassed to the hull. Construction is basically solid, but is certainly not fancy. Owners in our survey report a fairly standard number of minor production-boat complaints: surface crazing in gelcoat, leaks around mast, leaks around deck hardware and ports, poor interior finish quality. Gelcoat blistering is neither more nor less common than on other boats.

The O’Day 30 was one of the first small cruising boats to use Navtec rod-type chainplates, which are anchored to the body pan. This is a good, strong arrangement.

In our experience, O’Day’s approach to building was to use good-quality fittings, combined with reasonably sturdy construction. The boats generally have pretty mediocre finishing detail, and costs were kept down by keeping the standard boat fairly simple.

For example, there is no sea hood over the main companionway. This may seem like a minor shortcoming, but it means that this hatch is going to leak if you take solid water over the deck. Instead of a labor-intensive full-length teak toerail, there are short, thin teak strips screwed to a raised, molded fiberglass toerail. The strips do not have to be curved or tapered, since they can be easily bent to shape.

Likewise, most of the interior furniture is part of the molded body pan, trimmed out with teak. The cabin sole is fiberglass, with teak ply inserts. You do not buy these boats for their high-quality joinerwork, nor do you buy them for sophisticated systems or creature comforts.

A single battery was standard, as was a two-burner alcohol stove without oven. Propane cooking was not an option. Double lifelines were optional. Even a spare winch handle was an extra-cost option: only one winch handle was supplied, although four winches were standard!

Because the O’Day 30 is a relatively heavy boat, its basic construction is fairly expensive. To keep the price comparable to other boats in its size range, costs had to be cut somewhere, and they were cut in finish, detailing, and systems. You simply can’t build a boat that weighs 500 to 1000 pounds more than the competition, provide the same systems and detailing, and keep the price the same.

All in all, this is a reasonable tradeoff. You could, if you wanted, add a propane stove, bigger batteries, engine compartment insulation, bigger winches, and many of the other things that you might expect to find on a well-equipped 30-footer. But you won’t get your money back when you sell the boat. The price of your used O’Day 30 will be controlled by the price of other O’Day 30’s on the market, even if they are less well equipped than your own.

The standard water tank varies in capacity from 25 to 30 gallons, depending on the model year. On late models, which have the smaller tank, you could also get an extra 25-gallon water tank, which is mounted under the port settee. With this tank full, the boat has a noticeable port list. Without the optional tank, water capacity is inadequate for cruises extending beyond a long weekend.

Deck layout is reasonably good. There is an anchor locker forward, although its so large that it’s tough to straddle while hauling in the anchor rode. You can walk forward on deck outboard of the shrouds on either tack.

The cockpit is fairly small, thanks to the big interior. There is a large locker to port that can be used to store sails, and a small locker to starboard at the aft end of the cockpit.

With 1980 models, ballast was reduced by 350 pounds in the keel version, 400 pounds in the centerboard boats, according to factory specifications. Still later, ballast in the keel version was increased by 150 pounds. Although these are significant changes, owners of later boats do not report that the boat is noticeably more tender, nor do the PHRF ratings reflect any change in performance.

With her wide beam and long waterline, the O’Day 30 has a big interior. In fact, we have little doubt that if the boat were still in production, O’Day would have figured out how to modify the interior to get three in separate cabins, which has become fairly common on contemporary 30-footers.

For the first three years of production, the boat had a very standard interior, with settees on either side of the main cabin. In 1980, the interior was retooled. The starboard settee was replaced with a U-shaped dinette with permanent table, and the head compartment was shifted to the starboard side of the boat.

The forward cabin in the old layout is bigger due to the placement of partitions and doors, which gave more cabin sole area. With the V-berth insert in place to give a double berth, you could still stand up in the forward cabin to dress. In the newer interior, there is no place to stand in the forward cabin if the door is shut.

Headroom is 6′ on centerline in the forward cabin. There is a molded fiberglass hatch in the forward end of the cabin trunk. In our experience, molded glass hatches are a compromise. They are easy to distort by overtightening hatch dogs to compensate for old gaskets. If dogged unevenly, they tend to leak. It is also next to impossible to fit a dodger on a hatch like that on the O’Day 30, so it must be kept shut in rain or bad weather. Since the boat lacks any real provision for foul-weather ventilation, it can be stifling below.

Although the head compartment in both interior layouts is small, it’s a fairly good arrangement. To use the optional shower, doors to both the main and forward cabins can be closed off, giving plenty of elbow room. Unfortunately, the shower drains to the bilge, a nasty arrangement.

In the original layout, a dropleaf centerline table divides the middle of the main cabin. Four people can sit comfortably at the table using the two settees.

Four diners are far more cramped in the dinette than with the two-settee arrangement, even though O’Day’s literature claims space for five. There’s no way that anyone seated on the port settee opposite the dinette can reach the table. On the plus side, fore and aft movement through the boat is not restricted by the dinette, as it is in the two-settee interior when the table is in use. You pays your money and takes your choice on this one.

Storage space behind the settees shrank in the new interior, a significant loss on a boat this size.

The dinette table drops down to form a good-sized double berth, but because the mattress is made up of five (count’em) separate cushions, this is not a very comfortable berth to sleep on. Its shape is so complex that making sheets fit well is just about an impossibility. In the old layout, the port settee can be extended to form a more normally-shaped double.

Even with opening ports, ventilation in the main cabin is pretty mediocre. There is room atop the cabin aft of the mast for a small aluminum-framed ventilation hatch, and this was an option on later boats. If you don’t have the hatch, you should add it. Cowl vents—other than one on the foredeck—weren’t even options, but could be added.

Headroom in the main cabin is 6′ 3″ on centerline aft, slightly less at the forward end of the cabin. The galley and nav station are the same in both interiors, but some detailing varies depending on the year. Aft to port there is a stove well, with storage outboard.

The icebox is in the aft port corner of the galley. It is not particularly well insulated, and drains into the bilge. There is a deep single sink next to the icebox.

Originally, there was a long step from the companionway to the top of the galley counter, to which a teak board was fastened to form a step. Stepping on galley counters offends our sensibilities, since we prefer to delete the sand from our sandwiches.

Later boats have a more conventional companionway ladder, eliminating the giant first step and the possibility of a foot in the middle of your lasagna, but making it difficult to use the galley counter, now hidden behind the ladder. There is a compact nav station opposite the galley. It has a small chart table, and some storage and space for electronics outboard. The chart table must be kept small to give access to the quarterberth.

You’ll find the electrical panel in one of two places: under the bridgedeck in the galley, or outboard of the chart table. The nav station location offers more protection from water coming down the companionway—which it will—but space for electronics is sacrificed.

Sales literature refers to the quarterberth, which is 41″ wide at its head, as a “cozy double.” Cozy isn’t really the word for a “double” berth that tapers to less than 2′ wide at the foot. Forget it. Many owners have added an opening port from the quarterberth into the cockpit, and this helps ventilation a lot.

The interior of any 30′ boat is a compromise. For the coastal cruising for which she was designed, the interior of the O’Day 30 is spacious and functional, and is probably the boat’s best selling point.

Conclusions

With her good performance and big interior, the O’Day 30 makes a reasonable coastal cruising boat. This is a low-maintenance boat, with little exterior wood. Along with low maintenance, you get pretty plain-Jane appearance.

The boat still looks modern. If she appeared in a boat show today, she wouldn’t look dated.

Unless you need shoal draft, we’d opt for the deepkeel boat, for its simplicity, if nothing else.

The extended stern of the O’Day 31 makes that boat much better looking in our opinion, since the big, fat stern of the 30 is probably her least attractive feature. The 31′ boat is far more expensive on the used boat market, however, so you have to decide how much you’re willing to pay for improved looks and a boarding platform.

Compared to a lot of newer 30-footers, the O’Day is quite heavy, but we consider that a plus for a boat that may sail in fairly exposed waters. For the type of use most boats this size will get, the boat looks like a good value on the used boat market. You could spend a lot more money for a lot less boat.

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Good day to you. I am having a hull problem with my 1980 oday30. I bought it only a few years ago and when i was getting her ready for this season sailing i noticed a small hole where the bilge pump sits so i took it off and apparently ice had formed over the winter causing the inside layer to crack. This allowed moisture to enter and soak a good section of the hull above the fiberglass hull. I am getting conflicting reports how to fix this. Some say take all of the first layer out and re core it and fiberglass again. And some say you can fix the core with little attention to really fixing the problem. I have a hole about 1 foot by 5 inches and all cleaned up but i am pretty sure there is still moisture forward of the hole and near the mast. Ok so i am looking for your opinion please and thank you!!!

I just used Injectadeck. Worked great for a similar problem in my cabin.

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Oru Kayak Beach LT Sport Review: An easy-paddling folding kayak

My family and I live 0.7 miles from a bay that connects to the Long Island Sound, so in the warmer months we make as much use as possible of the nearby waterways. We do this with a couple of stand-up paddleboards, our several kayaks and a canoe. I love kayaking in particular, as I always end up taking an involuntary swim when on an SUP, but I don’t love the laborious task of loading 80- to 100-pound kayaks up on top of the car.

When I got the chance to test out Oru Kayak’s 28-pound Beach LT Sport folding kayak, then, I jumped on it, because with this kayak, there’s no roof rack required: It folds up into a package that tucks right into the trunk. This kayak can even be checked onto a flight as baggage. But how would it perform out on the bay? Find out in my Oru Beach LT Sport Kayak review.

First impressions of the Oru Kayak Beach LT Sport

When I first unboxed the Beach LT Sport , I was impressed by how compact and lightweight the boat was in its folded state. I could sling the packed up kayak over a shoulder or easily carry it with one hand. It would have been hard to believe this 33-inch x 29-inch x 13-inch package could unfold into a 12-foot kayak had I not tried out a few folding kayaks in the past.

Even though I have some experience with folding kayaks, the first time I unfurled and set up the Beach LT Sport, it was what I believe seasoned paddlers call a pain in the hull. Leave yourself a solid half hour the first time you construct this kayak, and do it at home or at least somewhere you can curse at will. That said, once I finally had the kayak set up, my opinion started swinging back to the positive pretty quickly.

Before I dive into the full Oru Kayak Beach LT Sport review, let’s highlight a few of the standout features.

• Compact and lightweight: As noted, this is a 28-pound kayak that folds up into a suitcase-sized package.
• Durable hull: The double-layered polypropylene hull is tough enough for 20,000-plus fold cycles, and it won’t crack or puncture when you bump up against rocks or the pier or run aground in shallow water.
• Easy handling: The Beach LT Sport turned on a dime when I back-paddled or stroked wide, and it tracked well when I was cruising along in a straight line.
• Adjustable seat and footrest: The wide-open cockpit, adjustable angle and height of the seatback, plus the placement of the footrest, allow paddlers of varied sizes to use the boat comfortably.
• Decent cargo space: Ample space behind the paddler and in front of the footrest can accommodate a cooler, a dry bag or even a kid, as was the case with some of my paddling.

And of course there’s always the reality of things with any product, in that not all the news is good news.

• Frustrating learning curve with the setup: The first few times you set up and pack down this kayak are outright headaches, and it’s a serious challenge to ever get it packed down as small as it was when new.
• Occasional broken buckles: One of the plastic buckles that serves the dual purpose of holding the Beach LT Sport closed when it’s packed and keeping it in shape when it’s in use cracked as I was packing the kayak down for just the third or fourth time.
• Only suitable for calm waters: This kayak is only safe for use in relatively calm, slow-moving waters. Heavy chop or a flowing river, given its low gunwales and wide-open cockpit, present unsafe environments for the boat.

Oru Kayak Beach LT Sport features

The Beach LT Sport has a wide-open cockpit and a 300-pound weight capacity, plus there’s that adjustable footrest, which can be moved closer to or farther from the paddler, so people of just about any height and body shape can use this vessel. The hull is reinforced with bulkhead plates at the fore and aft, and there’s a sturdy floorboard that pops into place and helps maintain the structure of the hull. Also, a tension strap behind the seat helps maintain the boat’s structural integrity.

At 12 feet long and 29 inches wide, the Beach LT Sport tracks well, staying on course in a straight line. Yet because it’s so light, it also turns sharply. Out of the water, carrying handles at the bow and stern make it easy for two people to carry this kayak, but it’s just as easy for one person to grab the thing with one hand and move it around.

Packed up, this 28-pound folding kayak is as easy to transport as a larger suitcase and as convenient to store as a cooler, mower or any other midsized object you might find in a garage. It’ll fit nicely next to your best beach wagons, for instance. A shoulder strap helps with transport and some of the same straps and buckles that help the boat keep its shape also help keep it folded away.

Key specifications

Here are the details about the Oru Kayak Beach LT Sport that you should note closely before considering a purchase.

• Weight: 28 pounds.
• Length: 12 feet, 1 inch.
• Width: 29 inches.
• Cockpit: Open.
• Storage capacity: Open cargo area behind seat, before footrest.
• Weight capacity: 300 pounds.
• Packed down size: 33 inches x 29 inches x 13 inches.
• Setup time: Five to 10 minutes (with practice).

Beach LT Sport

Performance test: oru kayak beach lt sport.

OK, you know the stats, you know the basics. Now, let’s get into the on-the-water performance of it all.

I found the Beach LT Sport fairly comfortable, if not quite as cozy as my 14-foot sit-in touring kayak, nor as laid-back as a sit-on-top kayak with a built-in chair. There’s plenty of room in the cockpit — in fact, there’s enough space that I brought one of my kids along for one of my trips in the boat — and you can adjust the seat back and footrest as needed, but the thin plastic walls and the accessory rails atop them don’t feel great against your knees.

Gliding and tracking

I’ve only had my Beach LT Sport out on relatively calm water (which is good, because it’s rated for calm water) so I can’t speak to how it would handle white-capped chop, but on calm water, this kayak tracks true. I could stop paddling and count on it drifting along in a straight line, and while I was paddling, there was minimal side-to-side shifting of the bow. If you’ve ever paddled a shorter inflatable kayak or a stubby kayak meant for white water, you know the feeling of a boat swinging back and forth with each stroke, and it’s an annoying one, especially if you’re trying to log some miles.

Maneuverability

While not the fastest kayak out there, the Beach LT Sport is plenty nimble. I could zip around the marina, weaving among moored boats and up and down the lanes at the docks without ever once feeling like I was not in total control of the kayak. The boat turns sharply, stops fast when you need it to and is light enough that you can use shifts in your body weight as part of your steering method.

If you want superior stability, get a big, heavy, wide sit-on-top kayak and enjoy your veritable barge. If you’re OK with a kayak that wobbles side-to-side if you don’t keep yourself centered, but is generally stable out there, the Beach LT Sport is just fine. I never once felt I was in danger of capsizing, though I did learn during the first outing to keep myself balanced in the middle of the kayak.

Setup and packdown

With practice, deployment and breakdown of this Oru Kayak gets a lot easier, but I readily admit that I was so frustrated by the first setup process I almost wanted to throw in the towel. I was also thrown by that cracked buckle during a later fold down process, though for the record Oru was good about sending a replacement piece fast. Just give yourself ample time and plan ahead to pause and breathe a time or two.

Maintenance and care for the Oru kayak beach LT Sport

As noted, this boat is rated to be folded and unfolded more than 20,000 times, so it’s a tough piece of hardware that requires minimal overall maintenance. It’s a good idea to rinse the boat down with fresh, clean water after each outing, especially if you were in salt water, and make sure you fold it up following its proper lines and creases.

Aside from that, it’s best practice to store this kayak out of direct sunlight and away from moisture (ironic, I know), but otherwise, this boat does not need special treatment.

Is it for you?

If you love paddling but you’re short on storage space and/or you travel often and want to bring a kayak with you, then the Oru Kayak Beach LT Sport is definitely a good choice for you, especially if you’re newer to paddling since it’s such an easy-to-handle kayak.

Now, is this the best kayak? I have to admit that it’s not personally ideal for me, but that’s largely because I live so close to the water on which I usually paddle that the convenience of a folding kayak isn’t much of a factor at all. That said, the next time we camp upstate, I look forward to tossing a kayak into the back of the car instead of strapping one up top and driving it two or three hours north.

Alternatives to Oru Kayak Beach LT Sport

Oru Kayak has the lion’s share of the folding kayak market, which only makes sense as the brand was the initiator of the modern folding kayak. (I say modern because there have been folding kayaks in one form or another for more than 100 years.)

Tucktek Foldable Kayak

Tucktec makes very lightweight and much cheaper folding kayaks that are worth a look if you’re OK with a boat that probably won’t hold up as well as an Oru.

Intex Challenger Inflatable Kayak

If you want to go super cheap, consider an Intex inflatable kayak, which costs less than $100. These kayaks safely keep you afloat, but the handling is rather frustrating.

Oru Kayak Beach LT Sport user reviews

This is a relatively recent release for the now 12-year-old Oru Kayak company, and as such it doesn’t have a mountain of user reviews. But from the reviews I perused, the opinions of this boat largely seem to mirror my own.

One owner said in part: “It’s super easy to put in my sedan so I can get to the water. It was a little difficult to put together the first time but once you do it a few times, it will become easier.”

Another said: “Assembly (and disassembly) of a new kayak is a bit more difficult than the video shows. The plastic is very stiff, at least the first time, but I am sure now that I know how it goes and hopefully the plastic will get a bit ‘worked in’ I think it will get easier.”

And one person who reported owning four Oru kayaks in total did mention the frustrating initial setup but was more focused on solid performance, saying: “The Beach LT tracks very well and glides straight.”

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Does the oru kayak beach lt sport come with a warranty.

Yes, a generous three-year warranty, in fact. Oru also offers a 30-day “Love Your Boat Guarantee” that allows for a no-cost, no-hassle return and refund within that 30-day period if you’re unhappy with your kayak in some way or if you simply change your mind.

Is the Oru Kayak Beach LT Sport suitable for beginners?

The Beach LT Sport is a very good choice for amateur kayakers, provided they’re in calm waters. It’s easy to maneuver and tracks well, and getting into and out of the large, spacious cockpit is easy as well.

Can the Oru Kayak Beach LT Sport be used for fishing?

This kayak can definitely be used for fishing and can even be outfitted with kayak fishing accessories, like a rod holder that clamps onto the built-in accessory rails. It’s not as suitable for stand-up casting and reeling as some large, heavy sit-on-top kayaks, but this is a great boat for seated fishing.

How durable is the Oru Kayak Beach LT Sport?

This kayak is comparable in durability to many solid rotomolded kayaks. The thin but twin-layered polypropylene can bend and flex on impact, reducing the force of the blow, and it resists cracks, punctures and tears. The kayak is rated for more than 20,000 fold cycles and is designed to resist UV damage for up to 10 years.

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Looking for advise on O'Day 240

• Thread starter Chris7463
• Start date Jun 24, 2004
• Oday Owner Forums
• Ask An Oday Owner

My wife and I are novice sailors. We are looking at an O'Day 240. I don't think that there were many 240's built. Do you think this should be an issue and I should look at a different builder/model? And, are there any known defects or problems that I should be looking for? Thank-you,Chris  

Shouldn't be a problem Chris,As an O'Day owner (222), I do tend to monitor the O'Day market, and it appears to me that the 240 holds it's value better than some of the other O'Day models. Maybe this is because they tend to be somewhat newer than other models combined with the fact that they are in somewhat shorter supply. Nonetheless, I have not heard of any specific complaints about this particular model (240 owners can comment on this with more authority). I would suggest you check the Archives and also the Owners Reviews in this forum for specific comments. I can certainly vouch for the quality of the 222's. Assuming this is the right size boat for your needs, I think you will be happy with the O'Day. Good luck!Daves/v Hakuna MatataO'Day 222  

Great Boat Chris:I am an Oday 240 owner and have been for 2 years. I can confirm that the 240 is a nice boat to own especially in areas of shallow water. I sail in Barnegat Bay, NJ and the 2' 8" draft allows me to cruse the bay w/out a worry of running aground. The boat is roomy inside and my wife loves the enclosed head! In high winds (15+), the shallow draft wing keel has a problem keeping the boat on course and there is significant weather helm. I have partially corrected this by taking all of the rake (bend) out of the mast and getting as much sail up front as I can. This can be accomplished by loosening the backstay all the way and tightening the forestay all the way. Also, if you do buy the boat, you want the main sail as flat as possible. Allowing a "belly" in the main greatly contributes to the weather helm. Other than this issue, this is a great boat. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to post more Q’s Bill O’day 240 Second Wind  

Love mine... I've had my '89 240 for about a year now, and have no complaints.It is a responsive boat, easy to sail short handed, that came with a lot of nice standard features. It moves along well, tacks easily, points OK. It's alot like a comfortable dingy in the way it handles.Checking the archives you'll find references to weather helm...I have found that if you depower (reef the main, furl up a little of the genoa) it isn't that bad. I've sailed it alone in 25mph winds on a rough lake without issue.My wife enjoys the convience of the enclosed head. My now 15 month old son spent a lot of time down below last year (now that we're finally in the water I'll have to learn to handle a more mobile child).One of the features the previous owner really enjoyed is beibng able to trailer a boat with this much interior space. He took it to the Apostle Islands in Lake Superior, to the North Channel in Ontario, and some other nice trips. He and his wife spent a lot of weekends on the boat, and later with their kids.It is nice to be able to launch and haul it out without a crane, and I hope to take a few trips next year.Anyway, I have talked to a number of 240 owners, with few minor complaints.  

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Election latest: Labour to 'simplify' transitioning process; betting scandal hangs over Tories

Labour have plans to "simplify" the transitioning process, which will streamline the procedure of acquiring a gender recognition certificate. Elsewhere today, Sky News is interviewing Northern Ireland party leaders and will broadcast live from the nation at 8pm.

Monday 24 June 2024 08:06, UK

• General Election 2024
• PM should suspend those alleged to have bet on election date - former minister
• Labour to 'simplify' transitioning process
• Sky to interview Northern Ireland political party leaders
• 'Many more people' under investigation in Tory election betting scandal
• Politics at Jack and Sam's: 10 Days to Go
• Live reporting by Tim Baker

Election essentials

• Manifesto pledges: Alliance Party | Conservatives | Greens | Labour | Lib Dems | Plaid Cymru | Reform | SNP | Sinn Fein | Workers Party
• Trackers:  Who's leading polls? | Is PM keeping promises?
• Campaign Heritage: Memorable moments from elections gone by
• Follow Sky's politics podcasts: Electoral Dysfunction | Politics At Jack And Sam's
• Read more:  Who is standing down? | Key seats to watch | What counts as voter ID? | Check if your constituency is changing | Guide to election lingo | Sky's election night plans

With 10 days remaining until election day, Sky News  deputy political editor  Sam Coates   and Politico's Jack Blanchard discuss Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer's battle in The Sun, the fallout from Nigel Farage's comments on the war in Ukraine, and the verdict from the Institute for Fiscal Studies on the party manifestos.  

👉 Tap here to follow Politics at Jack and Sam's wherever you get your podcasts 👈  

Email Jack and Sam: [email protected]

A former minister has called for Rishi Sunak to suspend the Conservative candidates accused of placing bets on the date of the election.

Speaking to the BBC, Tobias Ellwood - who is standing as a Tory candidate - said the issue was distracting from other topics in the election and would "no doubt" cost the party seats.

He said trust in politics had been a major issue in recent years, and the scandal was adding to the problem. 

Mr Ellwood said the public "wants to see clear, robust action".

Asked if the two implicated parliamentary candidates should be suspended, Mr Ellwood said that due to the "scale" of the scandal and the potential for it to distract from the campaign, he would agree.

He joins Sir Robert Buckland, the former justice secretary, in making the call for people to be suspended.

But he added that there needed to be a distinction between whether the alleged incidents were reacting to rumours, or whether they did have insider knowledge.

In order to prevent more scandals, he called for any current politician or party employee to be banned from placing bets in the future. 

Speaking to Sky News this morning, Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris said it was right to wait for the outcome of the Gambling Commission investigation before taking action.

He insisted it was the correct course of action to take, even when a Conservative candidate had admitted to betting on the timing of a vote being called. 

"The Gambling Commission are looking into that, and we will act on what the Gambling Commission say," he said. 

What is the scandal?

In short, there are allegations people who had inside knowledge of the election date may have placed bets before Rishi Sunak announced it.

So far, four people have been identified as potentially being involved, with a fifth unnamed person also allegedly implicated.

What is happening now?

The Gambling Commission is investigating - with Sky's chief political correspondent Jon Craig revealing yesterday that many more people could be involved.

They have written to bookmakers asking for lists of people who placed bets on the election date.

It can then compare these against people who have links to politics and decide whether they need to take further action.

What are the Conservatives saying?

Home Secretary James Cleverly told Sky News on Sunday morning he had been told not to talk about the issue -but he was "not in any way going to defend people who placed bets" on the election date.

Liam Fox claimed it was "poor journalism" to use the scandal to "extrapolate" the issue onto the whole Conservative Party.

The Conservative Party has been quick off the mark to reply to Labour's plans to simplify the transitioning process.

Kemi Badenoch, the women and equalities minister, said: "These proposals unravel all the protections in the current system designed to protect women and girls.

"This change creates more loopholes for predators and bad faith actors to infiltrate women-only spaces and put us at risk.

"Labour have never understood or cared about this issue or the vulnerable women impacted by their policies. 

"As JK Rowling, a Labour supporter herself, has said, Labour show a 'dismissive and often offensive' approach to the concerns of women, illustrated by the contempt with which they treat their own MPs like Rosie Duffield. 

"Labour's promise of change is definitely change for the worse."

Labour are planning to simplify the process for people to transition, if they enter government.

The party wants to ditch the current two-year waiting period for people to acquire a gender recognition certificate (GRC) - instead implementing a similar length "cooling-off period" after applying for a GRC, Sky News understands.

This echoes similar policies the party proposed earlier in the year.

It follows JK Rowling's intervention on Friday night, when she attacked Labour over its position ( read more here ).

The current rules require someone to provide two years' worth of evidence they have been living as a different gender before getting a GRC.

A diagnosis of gender dysphoria will still be required, but this will be done via one specialist doctor, rather than under the present system that requires a panel of clinicians and lawyers.

And Sky News understands the requirement for a trans person to have spouse's consent to change gender will also be removed.

A Labour spokesman said: "Labour will modernise, simplify and reform the intrusive and outdated gender recognition law to a new process.

"We will remove indignities for trans people who deserve recognition and acceptance; while retaining the need for a diagnosis of gender dysphoria from a specialist doctor, enabling access to the healthcare pathway.

"Britain is a reasonable and tolerant society where most people know that there are a small number of individuals who do not identify with the gender that they were born into. 

"Labour's plans will protect single-sex spaces, treat everybody with respect and dignity, maintain the existing two-year time frame for gender recognition, and ensure that robust provisions are in place to protect legitimate applications."

Welcome back to the Politics Hub.

We're into the final furlong now, with less than a fortnight left in the election campaign.

Today, our senior Ireland correspondent David Blevins will be sitting down with the leaders of political parties in Northern Ireland ahead of the vote.

The DUP will be launching their manifesto later this morning.

And from 8pm, Sarah-Jane Mee will be hosting a special edition of the UK tonight from Northern Ireland.

Speaking to us this morning on behalf of the Conservative Party will be Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris at 7.15am .

Labour's shadow health secretary Wes Streeting will be on at 8.15am .

We'll be back at 6am with all the latest from this busy election campaign, which has entered its latter days before polls open on 4 July.

Until then, you can scroll through the posts below to catch up on the day.

Join us for more live updates on Monday.

It's an election campaign - and that means political donations have ramped up.

What exactly are the rules on donations? Do they change for elections? Who gets the most money? Why do people donate? And can parties give funds back?

Here, we explain...

Veterans minister Johnny Mercer has tonight offered further details of an "awkward" hustings in Plymouth, after which he claimed his Labour rival was "bloating" his military service.

Mr Mercer, who is standing as the Conservative candidate for the Plymouth Moor View constituency, took aim at his Labour opponent Fred Thomas after the event on Wednesday.

The minister questioned whether the Labour candidate had served in combat missions during his time as a Royal Marine, as had been reported by the Guardian newspaper in 2023.

Labour has said Mr Thomas is unable to discuss much of his role in the armed forces because of its "sensitive" nature.

Now, in a lengthy social media post, Mr Mercer described the event, which he said "descended into anarchy".

In response to Mr Mercer's comments, Labour's shadow defence secretary John Healey said: "The Commanding Officer of the Special Forces Support Group wrote of Fred's integrity and his character. Those words will not have been penned lightly. Mr Mercer should do the right thing and withdraw his deeply disrespectful remarks."

By Adam Boulton , Sky News commentator

Have you ever taken part in an opinion poll? I was about to say I haven't and then a dim memory surfaced from decades ago of a nice lady with a clipboard asking me questions in the Berkshire town of Pangbourne.

Whether or not your opinions have been sampled, you will have found it impossible to miss coverage of polls during this election campaign.

Reporting of opinion polls has been such a feature of the race that some are complaining about it. The controversy has been inflamed after the dramatic results shown in recent MRP polls,  such as this week's YouGov survey for Sky News .

Critics range from those who argue polls are one-day wonders that take coverage away from the "real issues" to others grumbling that polls distort how people vote, even though they may turn out to be wrong.

In this election, there are at least 18 separate companies publishing voting intention polls. They are busier than ever now the campaign is under way.

Read the rest of Adam's column here:

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O'Day 17' Daysailer - Suitability?

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Hi. Just signed up. Own and sail a Tartan 3700. Looking to buy a used O'Day 17' Daysailer for my 13 yr old son. Any advice on suitability or pitfalls of this boat? Thx  

I used to sail one in the 70's. Nice boat. In the dictionary, next to "daysailer", there's a picture of an O'Day 17.  

Ask your son first; his heart may be set on something different. Also, the Daysailers that I've seen don't have travelers.  

Is this something akin to giving kids hot dogs while adults eat steak?? Let the kid sail the 37! The unspoken message you are sending your boy is that you don't trust him on the mothership. (maybe you do trust him, but taking this at the way it's posted. him first.. son 2nd Own and sail a Tartan 3700. Looking to buy a used O'Day 17' Daysailer for my 13 yr old son.  

Don't know the experience of your boy but I wouldn't send him out on the 37. Way too much responsibility and liability for you. I dated a girl I didn't really like because her parents had a Rhodes 19 that she could take out. Didn't take her long to figure that my interest was in the Rhodes, not in her. The best way to learn is to do it and a small daysailer is the absolute best way to gain experience with out too many liabilities. After he's thoroughly comfortable in the O'day 17, let him sail the 37'. As far as driving, the more kids in a car, the crazier they act. With the O'day, can't get too crazy. To save money, you might want to be sure he's into it before shelling out for the small boat. When I was that age would've been hung ho for the opportunity, today's kids seem to be content with an iPad.  

You guys are being too hard on him. A boat of your own to go out and explore with no adults aboard ! I'd have killed for that at 13 ! Denise I'd say it's a strong message that dad trusts him to go out on his own. Kids learn when you give them responsibility. And it's a cool day sailer.  

JimMcGee said: You guys are being too hard on him. A boat of your own to go out and explore with no adults aboard ! I'd have killed for that at 13 ! Denise I'd say it's a strong message that dad trusts him to go out on his own. Kids learn when you give them responsibility. And it's a cool day sailer. Click to expand...

Well, uh.. thanks. That was not quite what I was expecting/looking for. I included the statement that I owned/sailed the 37 to let folks know that I have some experience. I've sailed J boats, Farr racers, an Olsen 30, many other mid size cruisers and a number of large (60ft+) racers at Key West, Heineken, Bermuda, NovaScotia... etc. But never been on an a Daysailor. I was asking about the suitability of the O'Day 17' wrt it's seaworthiness, structural integrity and handling.... not wrt a social commentary on child raising. I'll try again. My son has had basic sailing lessons on lasers, sunfish and been on a 420 and a Flying Scot. On the Tartan 37 he is often bored unless he is playing on his iPhone. He thinks he wants a 420.... I was thinking that the O'Day, with it's cuddy cabin and less 'technical' set-up would be great for him and a buddy to mess around on in the bay.... exploring, camping, etc. But, I have read some material about the O'day's difficulty in being righted when capsized, and other info re minor centerboard trunk leaks...... Not ever having sailed one myself, but being a fairly capable boat maintainer, I was looking for advice by folks that might actually know something about sailing and maintaining one, esp a used one. If you have that advice, please respond. Otherwise, thanks, but no thanks.  

leavittg said: But, I have read some material about the O'day's difficulty in being righted when capsized, and other info re minor centerboard trunk leaks...... Not ever having sailed one myself, but being a fairly capable boat maintainer, I was looking for advice by folks that might actually know something about sailing and maintaining one, esp a used one. If you have that advice, please respond. Otherwise, thanks, but no thanks. Click to expand...

It's an open site and open to all kinds of input.  

At that age I didn't want anything with a cabin of any kind, I was club racing, I wanted fun and fast. I'd go Laser or something along those lines. LOL or anything that didn't look like it came from my grandfather!  

Get a 420 or a FS if you want him to learn real sailing . the Oday is a clunk of a boat compared to the 420 and much harder to handle when not in the water and to a 13 year old it's like getting to drive his Gram pa's Chrysler Imperial. Keep it simple, small and lite, the easier it is to rig and handle the more he will want to sail it. should be a boat that 13 year olds can right. and not one that will swamp. My kids learned on our Prindle 16 and by the time they were 14 I no longer got to sail it very often. got to crew a little. by the time they were 15 they wanted a crew that was more fun.  

I grew up sailing an O'Day Daysailer. It is an ok boat but I think the advice you've already gotten is pretty good. If he flips it, it is a b...tch to right and bail out. We used to play chicken with the main trimmer and the driver...I think we flipped a bit too often. Anyway, I'd look for something a bit more sporty. Good luck.  

Steps... 1) show him pictures of the 17, 420, 29er 2) ask which he wants 3) buy the 29er he is drooling over. If he wants to race, or at least sail a fast boat why buy him something he really doesn't want to be on. Sure being 12-13 and having any boat is a major win and I loved my falling apart SouthCoast 21 at that age, but given the option... The 29er used runs about $5,000 ready to sail on a trailer so it's a bit more than the others are. So if that's out of budget, ignore it as an option, but otherwise it is a far better boat. The only downside is buying a kid a 29er is doomed to cure him of the need to carry along huge lumps of lead all the time. He will forever want to sail fast technical boats that reward skill and physical ability.  

I have sailed an O'Day DS II for 20+ years. First off, I can tell you that the boat is definitely not self rescuing. If you capsize it, you will most likely need assistance getting the boat to shallow enough water so it can be bailed out. Having said that, I've never capsized mine. I've taken significant water over the lee side in gusts but never gone completely over. The centerboard leak problem is unique to the DS II model. The DS I has a lever actuated centerboard on the side of the trunk, the DS II has a rope/cable uphaul/downhaul. I have had two failures on my boat in the time I've owned it. First was the stemhead fitting where the jib and forestay attach. It did not fail completely; I replaced and re-enforced it prior to failure. The second was the mast compression post. Both were easy, inexpensive fixes and there is a very helpful online forum of Daysailer owners with plenty of good advice. You are correct about the cuddy; a ton of camping gear can be stored in there and if that's of interest to your son, the DS would be a good choice. I have beach and boatcamped on mine many times. Daysailers can be found in decent condition for an inexpensive price as well. A 420 would definitely be a more wild ride, but won't hold much in the way of camping gear. It all depends on what he wants to do with the boat. Good Luck!  

Can you please tell me about the centerboard leak issue? I have one on a little lake in Maine, and last summer the damn thing nearly sank at it's mooring because of water shooting in around thye port where the line exits to lift the centerboard. Talk about a design flaw. Luckily , I happened to glance out and see the boat listing at it's mooring and was able to effect a rescue, but if I hadn't spotted it, the boat would have happily sunk to the bottom. I want to give this boat to my son, but I have some real serious reservations about this boat, sailing on a big lake or in a bay in Maine. Is there anything I can do to correct this problem? There doesn't even seem to be any easy way to install a bilge pump in the boat. I have never capsized the boat, but have taken on water, and the cockpit doesn't drain very well either. Any suggestions, ideas you can offer here will be greatly appreciated. Thanks! John  

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