o'day 27 sailboat data

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Classic Plastic: O’Day 27

• By Jim Carrier
• Updated: January 7, 2021

There was a day, before wide screens, all-night buffets and king-size beds, when a family would cruise happily on a boat like the O’Day 27. Solid and simple, the little sloop was just right for lake, harbor or coastal exploring. Small enough for a quick daysail with friends, big enough for a weekend or week gunkholing, the 27 was hugely popular: Between 1972 and 1979, 720 boats were produced at O’Day’s factory in Fall River, Massachusetts.

George O’Day, who founded the company in 1951, wasn’t a cruiser (he won a gold medal at the 1960 Olympics in the 5.5 meter class), but he understood that an ­uncomplicated sailboat was something a whole family could enjoy.

Alan Gurney designed it. Famous in the high-end yachting world for Windward Passage and other one-off race boats for millionaires, Gurney is said to have worked with what sailing writer Ted Jones called “a seaman’s eye; he thought like the water through which he had sailed.” Commissioned to create an everyman’s sailboat, Gurney sketched a ­compact, almost blocky hull with a 22-foot-9-inch waterline and 4-foot draft. Half of its 5,000-pound displacement was in the lead keel, which balanced a mast 38 feet above the water, 320-square feet of sail, and the heft to carry a chute or big genoa. The hull was solid, hand-laid fiberglass, with teak brightwork to dress it up. It came equipped with outboard motors or, later, an inboard gas or diesel engine.

Step aboard, as I did on ­Jonathan Heller’s 1974 O’Day 27, moored on Lake ­Champlain in Burlington, ­Vermont, and you will first find a long cockpit with a ­tiller, an ample entryway and an interior that is surprisingly spacious, due in part to its 9-foot beam, with a fold-up table, stepped mast and 6-plus-foot headroom. According to Jones, writing in Professional Boatbuilder , an O’Day salesman complained about headroom in Gurney’s initial design. Gurney handed him a pencil and “asked him to draw where he thought the headroom should be.” If the cabin “appears to be a bit high,” Jones wrote, “that’s the reason!”

O’Day’s sales brochures for its first keel boat were hyperbolic: a “luxurious cruiser,” “big, airy sleeping accommodations for five,” “a truly superior yacht.” But at a sail-away price of under $7,000, the first O’Day 27s were an instant hit. By the end of their run, they cost $14,500.

By today’s standards, the boat’s galley and head remind me of a small ­camping trailer—adequate but tight. There’s an icebox, an alcohol stove and an ­optional shower (if you watch your ­elbows). One striking compromise is the absence of any ­anchor hardware. A bow ­pulpit was standard but nothing on which to hang a hook. Over the years, owners have also had to deal with water ­intrusion on chainplates.

The good news is that these boats can be had for a song, from $3,900 to $8,000, and that many parts are still ­available. Heller, a ­handyman, musician and father of a 3-year-old girl, purchased the boat for $7,000 from a college student who had been ­living on the hook. Still learning how to sail his yet-unnamed love, he plans to explore Champlain, a cruising ground “big enough to be challenging but not big enough to be scary.” The same could be said of the O’Day 27.

Journalist and author Jim Carrier is a CW contributing editor.

• More: classic plastic , o'day , print dec 2020 , Sailboats
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• Sailboat Guide

O'Day 27

O'Day 27 is a 27 ′ 0 ″ / 8.2 m monohull sailboat designed by Alan Gurney and built by Bangor Punta Corp. and O'Day Corp. between 1972 and 1979.

• 2 / 18 Chicago, IL, US 1978 O'Day 27 $9,500 USD View
• 3 / 18 Bear Lake, US 1978 O'Day 27 $1,500 USD View
• 4 / 18 Colchester, VT, US 1975 O'Day 27 $1,000 USD View
• 5 / 18 Colchester, VT, US 1975 O'Day 27 $1,000 USD View
• 6 / 18 Chicago, IL, US 1978 O'Day 27 $9,500 USD View
• 7 / 18 Colchester, VT, US 1975 O'Day 27 $1,000 USD View
• 8 / 18 Chicago, IL, US 1978 O'Day 27 $9,500 USD View
• 9 / 18 Colchester, VT, US 1975 O'Day 27 $1,000 USD View
• 10 / 18 Chicago, IL, US 1978 O'Day 27 $9,500 USD View
• 11 / 18 Colchester, VT, US 1975 O'Day 27 $1,000 USD View
• 12 / 18 Chicago, IL, US 1978 O'Day 27 $9,500 USD View
• 13 / 18 Colchester, VT, US 1975 O'Day 27 $1,000 USD View
• 14 / 18 Chicago, IL, US 1978 O'Day 27 $9,500 USD View
• 15 / 18 Chicago, IL, US 1978 O'Day 27 $9,500 USD View
• 16 / 18 Chicago, IL, US 1978 O'Day 27 $9,500 USD View
• 17 / 18 Chicago, IL, US 1978 O'Day 27 $9,500 USD View
• 18 / 18 Chicago, IL, US 1978 O'Day 27 $9,500 USD View

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)

Deep keel: 5.3’/1.62m. Inboard engine available as an option - displacement: 6,950 lb/3,152 kg

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O’Day 27

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O'DAY 27 Detailed Review

If you are a boat enthusiast looking to get more information on specs, built, make, etc. of different boats, then here is a complete review of O'DAY 27. Built by O'Day Corp. and designed by Alan Gurney, the boat was first built in 1972. It has a hull type of Fin with rudder on skeg and LOA is 8.23. Its sail area/displacement ratio 15.35. Its auxiliary power tank, manufactured by undefined, runs on undefined.

O'DAY 27 has retained its value as a result of superior building, a solid reputation, and a devoted owner base. Read on to find out more about O'DAY 27 and decide if it is a fit for your boating needs.

Boat Information

Boat specifications, sail boat calculation, rig and sail specs, contributions, who designed the o'day 27.

O'DAY 27 was designed by Alan Gurney.

Who builds O'DAY 27?

O'DAY 27 is built by O'Day Corp..

When was O'DAY 27 first built?

O'DAY 27 was first built in 1972.

How long is O'DAY 27?

O'DAY 27 is 6.93 m in length.

What is mast height on O'DAY 27?

O'DAY 27 has a mast height of 8.99 m.

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O''Day 27''

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O''''Day 27'''' Does anyone have negative inputs on the 27'' Oday, as I am looking at one for a first ( salt water) boat. It is a 1978, very clean and well maintained. I would keep it for a few years, than trade up, and wondering about re-sale value hoding as well. Thanks J.C.  

Buy Your O'Day 27' Bought a '79 27' O'Day in July 2007. Absolutely love the boat, as does my wife and my 40-year old sailing son. Big step up from my former O'Day 23'. Sails like a dream--very quick. Nice accommodations for a weekend cruising couple. Yanmar crapped the bed on haul-out day 07, so I repowered with a new, larger (13 HP) 2-lung Yanmar. Runs like a top. Sustained some damange on haul-out day 08 (I'm not going to haul it out next year) and am in process of a complete hull and keel rebuilding--turns out upon scraping and sanding that the boat was extensively damaged somewhere in the last 30 years and not repaired correctly. Yes, despite this information I still love the boat--but I would suggest more than 1 surveyer look your boat over. Our surveryor missed some pretty significant (though well hidden) repair work. For next season I will have a "Brand-new '79 O'Day" with a 1-season new engine. I'm a happy guy. Great family boat, based on informal harbor runs I think it would race well. Very stable and forgiving. Did I say I love the boat?  

Resale? You should pay in the $5.5K - $8K range based on ads I see, so how much can you lose? If you keep it well-maintained, you should get most of it back. Mine I will sail "forever".  

Rebuilt a '77 O 27 in 1999. No need to trade up unless your'e planning some really long trips on the ocean. Boat is comfortable, stable and fairly speedy. The A4 has been replaced with a Yanmar 1GM10 which uses no fuel and sails replaced at Doyle. Inexpensive and great fun.  

I owned and lived on my 1974 27' O'Day for the past five years, I sailed it all the time. It is the only boat I have owned but I can not think of one resaon I would not recommend this boat to others, there does seem to be a agh "attitude" toward O'Days like they are not "real" sailboats. The only ones that could beat me accross the bay were the Yatch Club racers. Go for it - I have one in Pensacola I'm selling - needs some work but it's solid $4500. They are fast and fun to sail!  

Do you have a listing for the 27' you are selling in Pensacola? work needed? thanks, Dan Clearwater  

MaineJC said: Does anyone have negative inputs on the 27'' Oday, as I am looking at one for a first ( salt water) boat. It is a 1978, very clean and well maintained. I would keep it for a few years, than trade up, and wondering about re-sale value hoding as well. Thanks J.C. Click to expand...

Tell Me About Those Zinks Is there some science to placing the zinks on the shaft? And are more than 1 zink recommended and, if so, why?  

From all the info I gathered, and from looking at a lot of boats, it's well built, and can out sail it's competitors of the same era. What I don't like about it is it's cramped interior compared to it's rivals. But what you lose in space you gain in sailing quality. It has a very large cockpit as well.  

eMKay said: What I don't like about it is it's cramped interior compared to it's rivals. But what you lose in space you gain in sailing quality. It has a very large cockpit as well. Click to expand...

To The O'Day Tack: if the zinks are not placed properly this strut can be affected by electrolysis and break as it is less the a half inch wide. it is expensive to fix (Speaking from experience . Please describe how the zinks should be properly placed. Is there some science to this?  

Sold mine 4 years ago I sold mine 4 years ago. I miss it every day! I bought it in Chicago and put it on a trailer and brought it home to MN. The only complaints that I ever had was, the 10 hp motor was under powered. Also with the rudder hanging off of the transom it took a while for the boat to respond to steering after you put it in gear. This made it harder to dock. As far as sailing the boat it was a sweet experience. It was very easy to sail single handed. I'm sorry that I had to sell it before I had the chance to sail it on Lake Superior. DBS  

Dan, That post was 5 years ago. Hopefully the boat sold by now.  

I have a new to me '77 O'day 27 that I'm sailing on Lake Superior. There are quite a few cosmetic issues I plan to address, but other than that, we're quite happy with our purchase. (bought yesterday, sailed only today). I'm only reviving this thread in hopes of continued O'day 27 discussion. We're planning on cruising the south shore of Superior as a couple + 2y/o daughter. non-custom bimini options? factory wiring diagrams? We're in love with the large tall saloon and deep cockpit. Problems will arise I'm sure, but for now this O'day 27 is an impressive entry cruiser. Adam  

deniseO30 said: in or outboard? :worthless: 27s were unique I think. the 28 up to 40 ft are like clones getting larger and larger. Click to expand...

Great link, thanks! new/unused for half the price, much more up my alley.  

I have a1987 27le. I love the boat except. There is always one of them. My engine is a westerbeke 10 2. The timing case cover broke. A very big deal. It broke due to a design flaw. Back to the boat it is a great boat. For the price that I paid I have no complaints. Enjoy your boat. It's a good boat  

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1976 O'Day 27 Manual and Tech Specs.

• Thread starter Shemlock
• Start date Jan 23, 2011
• Oday Owner Forums
• Bigger Boats

Just bought a 27 ODay and need to move the shroud chainplates back to inboard where they were originally mounted.I have replaced the bulkheads and will have to beef up the deck where the old plates attached.I dont have any old hardware or clue as to what the deck mounting hardware is and the spacing.The upper shroud opening is still in the old tabbing and is a good reference to its location.I measured the new locations outboard and they are all appox. 18" center to center.Does this match anyone's specs.?If anyone has a manual, blueprints,or technical specs.on this boat I would pay to have a copy. Thanks for reading, Todd  

25yearslater

Hello Shemlock. See "And so it begins" page 2 for chainplate locations as I have just gone out in minus 5 degrees and aquired the measurements from YOT. I have edited the post to include these measurements. I can also E-mail you the 27 manual but the lads were unable to convert the format to post online. PM with your E-mail and I will send them to you. And so it begins thread is my complete restoration of an Oday 27 which gives a look see at just about everything I am running across and the problems/successes I am encountering. It also contains many facts on the 27 and other Oday models provided by other Oday owners. Feel free to add your own insights there as you make new discoveries.  

25yearslater said: Hello Shemlock. See "And so it begins" page 2 for chainplate locations as I have just gone out in minus 5 degrees and aquired the measurements from YOT. I have edited the post to include these measurements. I can also E-mail you the 27 manual but the lads were unable to convert the format to post online. PM with your E-mail and I will send them to you. And so it begins thread is my complete restoration of an Oday 27 which gives a look see at just about everything I am running across and the problems/successes I am encountering. It also contains many facts on the 27 and other Oday models provided by other Oday owners. Feel free to add your own insights there as you make new discoveries. Click to expand

Hi Joe, Wanted to update you on my progress.I did get a scale drawing of the 27 and for anybody's future reference all shrouds are 18"in. on center.I believe the fore and aft shroud chainplates have a 11 degree bend to them?Ive removed all the old bulkheads and have cut and in process of finishing the hew ones.Next is to repair the weak spots in the old chainplate areas and reinforce with over sized backer plates and custom chainplates.Joe do you have any pics. of your refit?  

Ahoy there Shemlock. Huh, the slots on my inner deck skin were 17.5 inches from the upper shroud chainplate. Must of been a Monday morning boat. Anyway to the question at hand. And so it begins page 2 shows my method of reinstalling the chainplates. Since I was recoring the deck I had the opportunity to modify the chainplate mounting method and add epoxy windows around those areas. Assuming all 76 27s were constructed the same way you will find the deck outer skin 3/16ths inch thick, the balsa core 3/8ths thick and the inner deck skin. The cabin liner, which is not the inner deck skin, has some mystery material filling those 4, 4" X 10" molded in holes that when the material is removed provide access to the chainplates. My 27 had a previous attempt to epoxy infuse the core on the starboard side that was less than ideal. That is going to be recored come spring as once water is allowed into the core it readilly migrates to areas all over the place. If you find yourself in that position don't get too upset as recoring seems more intimidating than it really is. It isn't all that expensive either. Just remember, the hull is the critical part of any boat. All the rest is fluff. The hull is the thing that makes it float and that makes it a boat.  

Hello, 25 Years Later Do you still have a 1976 O'Day 27 "manual and tech specs" available to email? I recently purchased a '76 O'Day 27 and would be very interested in a manual. My boat was surveyed and is in pretty decent shape save for some leakage around the toe rail above the (port) quarter berth. Thank you.  

25yearslater said: Ahoy there Shemlock. Huh, the slots on my inner deck skin were 17.5 inches from the upper shroud chainplate. Must of been a Monday morning boat. Anyway to the question at hand. And so it begins page 2 shows my method of reinstalling the chainplates. Since I was recoring the deck I had the opportunity to modify the chainplate mounting method and add epoxy windows around those areas. Assuming all 76 27s were constructed the same way you will find the deck outer skin 3/16ths inch thick, the balsa core 3/8ths thick and the inner deck skin. The cabin liner, which is not the inner deck skin, has some mystery material filling those 4, 4" X 10" molded in holes that when the material is removed provide access to the chainplates. My 27 had a previous attempt to epoxy infuse the core on the starboard side that was less than ideal. That is going to be recored come spring as once water is allowed into the core it readilly migrates to areas all over the place. If you find yourself in that position don't get too upset as recoring seems more intimidating than it really is. It isn't all that expensive either. Just remember, the hull is the critical part of any boat. All the rest is fluff. The hull is the thing that makes it float and that makes it a boat. Click to expand

Hi jeferie. PM me with your E-mail and I will send it to you. It's in MS word format. The 27 toe rail screws are beyond the core capsule so other than making a mess of your hull liner the core is safe. Some pics of the recoring are on page 1 of 'And so it begins' thread Shemlock. If you need some more let me know and I can E-mail them. Check out the West Systems Fiberglass Boat Repair manual for the details. It is a very concise primer on just about all types of repairs. It's the method I am following and the info is fantastic.  

I just bought a 1977 Oday 27. Do you still have a manual in Word format that you can email? If so could you send me a copy at [email protected] . If not could you tell me where I might find one. Thank you very much. Ron  

Hello 25yearlater I Just discovered this web site and was very excited to see that you have the '76 27' ODay manual in tact. I purchased a '77 27' ODay a year ago and have had no luck hunting the manual down. Do you know if the '76 manual is compatible with the '77? The little bit of reading I have done suggests that they are. I would be extremely grateful if i could get a copy of it.  

PM me with your E-mail and I will send it right off.  

Martinioday

Hi I just bought an 1977 Oday 27 can I a copy of your owners manual? my e-mail [email protected] Thanks so much  

25yearslater said: PM me with your E-mail and I will send it right off. Click to expand

Shemlock said: Just bought a 27 ODay and need to move the shroud chainplates back to inboard where they were originally mounted.I have replaced the bulkheads and will have to beef up the deck where the old plates attached.I dont have any old hardware or clue as to what the deck mounting hardware is and the spacing.The upper shroud opening is still in the old tabbing and is a good reference to its location.I measured the new locations outboard and they are all appox. 18" center to center.Does this match anyone's specs.?If anyone has a manual, blueprints,or technical specs.on this boat I would pay to have a copy. Thanks for reading, Todd Click to expand

tuscolablue

New27oday91611.

can you send me a copy of the manual, I just bought a 75 27 oday. [email protected] thanks  

electrocohort

Someone please send a copy of the manual to [email protected] . Thanks so much!  

Check your e-mail. I just sent it. Great boat by the way.  

DoctorYankee

25yearslater said: Check your e-mail. I just sent it. Great boat by the way. Click to expand

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O'day 272

The o'day 272 is a 26.92ft masthead sloop designed by hunt & associates and built in fiberglass by o'day corp. between 1985 and 1989..

The O'day 272 is a light sailboat which is slightly under powered. It is stable / stiff and has a low righting capability if capsized. It is best suited as a day-boat. There is a very short water supply range.

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