O'Day 22 Sailboat Guide: Reviews, Specs & Owner Insights | Find Yours!

Is the O'Day 22 a worthy vessel for those seeking adventure on the water? The O'Day 22, a popular choice for both seasoned sailors and those new to the hobby, offers a compelling blend of affordability, portability, and seaworthiness, making it a solid contender in the competitive world of small sailboats.

Many who have sailed both models extensively sing the praises of the O'Day 22, including those who have spent years at the helm of various boats. One owner, who now possesses a 1980 O'Day 22, speaks to its performance and handling. For sailors with a "scared wife," the O'Day 22s responsive nature and manageable rig can be reassuring. The boat's generous main sail, however, suggests that reefing should be considered in anticipation of higher winds, a practice that promotes safety and control.

The O'Day 22's appeal lies in its suitability for family cruising, offering the potential for overnight or week-long adventures. Originally introduced in 1973 as the "gold medal answer" to family cruising needs, the O'Day 22 remains a viable option, as highlighted by its ability to blend accessibility and practicality.

Feature Details
Manufacturer O'Day Corp.
Design Fractional Sloop
Designer C. (Not explicitly named in provided text, but the designer is a known fact)
Years of Production 1972 - 1983 (approx.)
Number Built Approximately 3159 Units
Hull Material Fiberglass with Wood Trim
Rig Configuration Masthead Sloop (1972-1980), 3/4 Fractional Sloop (1981-1983)
Keel Options Stub Keel, Stub Keel with Centerboard
Length Overall 21.67 feet (approximately)
Best Use Day Sailing, Weekend Cruising

For more information, visit SailboatData.com.

The O'Day 22's design provides optimal cruising convenience at a reasonable price. Its easy-to-trailer nature adds to its allure, making it an ideal companion for voyages to your favorite vacation spots. The boat's mobility is a significant asset, contributing to its widespread popularity.

The O'Day 22, alongside models like the O'Day 23, O'Day 240, and O'Day 25, have a well-established presence in the sailing community. Resources like Odayowners.com provide owners with essential parts and accessories. This online community supports a vibrant exchange of information, including owner modifications, accessories, and boats for sale, that add to the overall appeal of the ODay 22.

The O'Day 22 is frequently recommended as a good starter boat. Its size and capabilities make it accessible to new sailors. However, the wealth of options available in this size range means that prospective buyers have many choices.

For those new to the hobby, a boat that requires extensive repairs may present unnecessary challenges. While the centerboards on O'Day trailerables (22, 23, 25) are relatively simple to maintain compared to larger boats, they still require regular upkeep. This is a crucial point for prospective owners to consider.

The O'Day 22 came in two distinct model configurations. The early versions featured a stub keel, while later models (from about 1977 onwards) included a stub keel combined with a centerboard. The centerboard models, favored by many sailors, are considered to offer superior sailing performance.

Compared to newer options, such as those offered by Catalina, the O'Day 22 continues to hold its own in the market. Catalina, for example, still produces 22-foot sailboats, offering potential buyers alternative choices.

The decision to purchase a sailboat involves thoughtful consideration. One potential buyer, after researching Catalina 22s, chose to explore an O'Day 22 through Craigslist. This buyer's experience underscores the importance of assessing various options. This search process is a common way for sailors to assess and compare their options.

A recent acquisition involved a 1973 O'Day 22 with a shallow keel, along with a customized LoadRite trailer. This owner found some minor problems, including topside leaks that affected the wooden bunk platforms. The naugahide cushion covers trapped the water, creating a moisture problem. Despite these issues, the owner planned to address them, indicating an understanding of boat maintenance that is frequently required.

Experienced sailors often offer advice on sailboat selection. One piece of advice is to examine listings on sites like Craigslist. Careful examination can uncover other boats in the same price range that may be better alternatives.

When dealing with chain plates on the O'Day 22, careful attention is necessary. The chain plate nuts will require a 7/16-inch wrench for 1/4-inch plates, and 1/2-inch wrenches for the correct chain plates. This upgrade is an easy way to help guarantee the boat's structural integrity.

Another owner of a 1974 O'Day 22 shared their enthusiasm after joining Sailnet, seeking advice and support from the sailing community. The owner's first query was related to finding an operations and rigging manual, highlighting the importance of resources.

Rigging and de-rigging the mast is a process many owners become familiar with. While the gin pole can be used for mast raising and lowering, some find it quicker to perform the task directly by hand. The steps involve undoing cables, applying pressure, removing the mast step pin, supporting the mast, rotating the body, and carefully walking it down.

The O'Day 22 ranks among the most successful of all O'Day models, with over 3,000 units constructed. A fractional rig was introduced after 1980. This design change impacted handling characteristics and overall performance of the boat.

The O'Day 22, despite its age, remains a relevant choice. The boat's exterior trim is minimalist, which is reasonable considering its price point. The interior finish and decor, however, have sometimes been criticized, leading to the use of the term "Clorox bottle" to describe the stark white interiors of some fiberglass boats.

The O'Day 22 is a recreational keelboat primarily constructed of fiberglass and wood trim. Boats built between 1972 and 1980 featured a masthead sloop rig, while those from 1981 to 1983 incorporated a 3/4 fractional sloop rig. This distinction highlights the evolution of design throughout the model's production run.

For those starting out, the O'Day 22 is a viable option. Learning the skills involved with launching, sailing, motoring, docking, and recovering the boat takes time and experience. It is important to manage expectations and appreciate that it will take time to gain mastery.

The O'Day 22, as a 6.6-meter monohull sailboat, typically features a fractional rig and either a centerboard or keel option. Understanding its history, dimensions, and performance is valuable for prospective buyers. The O'Day 22's design, built by the O'Day Corp, highlights its legacy and appeal.

The O'Day 22 is considered a light sailboat with a decent performance profile. It provides reasonable stability and stiffness, though it has a relatively low righting capability if capsized. The boat is best suited for day sailing and weekend cruising, offering a practical choice for those seeking on-water experiences.

As the market shows, a 1976 22-foot O'Day 22 sailboat was available in Bayfield, Wisconsin. The boat was described as extremely well-kept and freshwater-only, stored indoors for the past 15 years. This is the result of careful maintenance and storage practices.

Owners often customize their O'Day 22s to enhance functionality and enjoyment. One owner, after adding upgrades such as a solar panel, a gas barbecue, and a stereo, used the hashtag #oday to share their progress on the sailboat. This captures the feeling of ownership and pride.

Sailboat Data provided the rig dimensions, confirming important specifications for the boat. Maintaining the original layout preserves the character of the O'Day 22. Beefing up the chain plates and addressing cabin top compression issues are typical upgrades.

Comparison shopping is another important aspect of the selection process. This involved boats like a 34' Gemini 105 MC listed in Indiantown, Florida for $89,900, and a 32' Freedom 32 in Jamestown, Rhode Island, with an asking price of $20,000. Comparing these models against the O'Day 22 adds context.

Boat manufacturers often share design aesthetics. Many cabin boats have similar looks, resulting in an O'Day 22 resembling an O'Day 23. This demonstrates the common design trends and their influence on the look of boats.

As demonstrated by the market, a 30' Sabre 30 in Warwick, Rhode Island, was listed for $19,500. This highlights how different options may be available within this price range.

1972 O'Day oday 22 sailboat for sale in New York

1972 O'Day oday 22 sailboat for sale in New York

Oday 22 cruising sailboat YouTube

Oday 22 cruising sailboat YouTube

O'Day 22 — Sailboat Guide

O'Day 22 — Sailboat Guide

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