O'day 22 Forestay Fitting Reinforcement

I had some free time this weekend so I decided to tackle a project I've been thinking about for some time. On my other boat the forestay fitting is distorted from probably years of improper rigging tension or being inadequately fastened to the deck. I thought it would be a good idea to add some reinforcement to keep the rigging from peeling it back off the deck. I searched around the Internet and came up with a couple different ways to do it, would just depend on what the local west marine had in stock.

I decided to build an adjustable strut from the forestay fitting to the bow eye. I replaced the original bow eye with a heavy duty u-bolt for added strength before I trailered it to the lake.

The hardware was found at west marine and consists of a turnbuckle, couple 6" tangs with 3/8 pins, two misc L-brackets and some washers and cotter pins. It was the first time I walked out of West Marine spending less than $50, I resisted the urge to buy a marine BBQ.

I'm happy with the way it turned out and it should add some much needed strength. I finished up sooner than expected which never happens so I decided to take her out for awhile. It was the first time I've singlehanded this boat and won't be the last, had some good wind and a great time!

New O'day 22 Main Sail

I'm glad I was able to moor the boat for the summer, I've been able to get out twice a week for some excellent sailing! The Oday 22 is such a pleasure to sail, very forgiving and yet still very capable. I've been using the blown out main sail that came with the boat and decided it's time to break out the new main from FX Sails. What an amazing difference, I swear this boat points higher and has better light wind performance. If your in the market for a new sail definitely consider a loose foot sail from FX Sails, you can't beat the price and the quality is top notch.

We were just settling into a starboard tack back to the marina when I realized I needed a photo to show my wife the sail I bought three years ago really exists. She had heard me talk about for some time but it's been collecting dust in my office at work.

Cheers!

First Sail...

The family and I took the boat out for it's maiden voyage on Saturday and had a great time on the lake! My father in law was in town for the weekend and was a great hand helping me work the bugs out on the boat. I even got my pregnant apprehensive wife to go along for a ride and she sat grinning on the bow for most the way. We had a great time and kicked off a really nice father's day weekend.

I decided to use the old blown out main for the first time out and hang on to the new one for awhile. It was a perfect day with steady wind, sunshine and a quiet lake with few power boats. I just couldn't wait and decided to tempt fate and run the engine briefly with only one good mounting bracket. I really only need it for a few moments to motor in and out of the slip so I think I can get by for a few weeks until I can locate a new bracket.

All said we had a great time and it was worth the wait...

At last!

Splash! After a busy week of last minute tasks and repairs the boat is finally resting comfortably in a slip. This is the first time I've launched this boat and was pleasantly surprised how smoothly everything went. I was able to install the new bow eye and winch, finish repairs to the outboard and mount a windex 15 to the masthead.

I was however sucker punched with a new problem, which is my normally my luck. When fastening the outboard to the engine bracket the port side clamp broke off, I guess I over tightened it or it had an unnoticed crack. I limped the boat over to it's slip but this will need to be resolved before I can really start using the boat. This Suzuki DT8 was made in 84 so I'm sure the part is going to be next to impossible to find. I'll start checking eBay and craigslist but I'm not going to hold my breath. I'm thinking that Tohatsu 6 sail pro is going to find it's way to my doorstep.

Coming Together...

The topside is finally clean after half a day of scrubbing. Sitting all winter uncovered beneath some trees made for a tough day of cleaning, won't make that same mistake next season. I discovered the windows and a couple stanchions leak so I'll repair these as I have time after it's moored.

The stock outhaul needs improvement, a setup with a mechanical advantage would be best but I'm out of time so maybe next year. For now I bought a new Ronstan swivel block and added some eye straps to the boom.

I thought it would be a good idea to check the masthead, everything looked great so I cleaned and lubed the sheaves and put it back together. Installed the new standing rig and halyards then stepped the mast to find out the shrouds are to short. I opened all the turnbuckles half way and as I raised the mast it would bind up. The only way I could get the mast up was to open the shroud turnbuckles all the way, so far I couldn't even get the cotter pins in. The head and back stay were fine so I returned the shrouds to D & R for replacements, should have them next week.

Things are coming together nicely with just a few more projects to complete. The focus next weekend will be to replace the broken bow eye and finish rebuilding the lower unit on the outboard. I checked with the marina and they still have plenty of slips available, I'm getting anxious and can't wait to launch soon!

Updated O'day 22 Chainplates

The list grows shorter...

Check masthead and sheaves
Inspect all clevis pins and retainer rings
Repair or replace bow eye
Install new engine bracket
Finish repair on engine lower unit
Remove, inspect and reseal chain plates
Service winches


I finally installed the updated chainplates I bought from D & R Marine this weekend. In one of my first conversations with Rudy he mentioned upgrading to the new heavier duty chainplates is a must. Drilling the holes in the deck and test fitting went smoothly but I had forgotten to mark the bulkhead brackets so it took some time to line everything up down below.

Holes were drilled over sized, removed core 1/2" beyond perimeter of hole and filled with thickened epoxy. Yeah, I know the deck is crazy dirty from sitting all winter but I plan on giving it a good swabbing this week ;)

Holes drilled, relieved, taped and ready for bedding compound. I was a little stressed about using epoxy, drilling holes in the deck and making everything work together with larger hardware but in the end it wasn't hard at all and turned out great.

New Garelick 71057 Motor Bracket

A few things accomplished over the last few weeks:

1. Purchased new jib sheets from Milwaukee Rigging (30ft lengths 5/16 Sta-Set)


2. Removed chainplates and prepped for epoxy.


3. Removed old shrouds and stays from mast.


4. Installed new motor bracket.

Some specs from Garelick's website:

71057: H.P. Rating: Over 7 1/2 to 20 Motor Weight Not to Exceed: 115 lbs. Vertical Travel*: 11 1/4” (29cm) Mtg. Pad: Poly Mounting Board Dimensions W x H x T: 11 1/2” x 10 3/4” x 2” (29 x 27 x 5cm) Mounting Brkt Dimensions W x H: 5 1/4” x 9” (13 x 23cm)

The goal is to have it moored by the end of the month so I have some busy weekends ahead. As the days pass I am really getting excited, bring on some sailing!

Two Thumbs Up For SailCare!

The jib sail is back from SailCare and I'm impressed, looks and feels like a new sail. I knew it would obviously come back looking cleaner but I didn't think they would be able to remove all the rust and grease stains. This is a welcome surprise...

I can't believe this old sail was in such good shape, they added some tell-tales and said no repairs were necessary. Customer service was friendly and helpful and they had it back to me in two weeks.

I am amazed at not only how clean it is, but also how they manage to restore the stiffness and feel of a new sail. I will definitely be sending in my 150 in the fall for the same treatment. I wish I would have taken before and after photos but I honestly didn't think there would be that much difference in appearance.

Almost There!

I'm updating the to-do list on my O'day 22 with some completions and additions...

Check masthead and sheaves
Inspect all clevis pins and retainer rings
Remove, inspect and reseal chain plates
Service winches
Repair or replace bow eye
Install new engine bracket
Finish repair on engine lower unit

Never made it in the water last year, life just always seems to get in the way. I have actually completed some projects and got some of the bigger purchases out of the way.
After closer inspection the motor bracket has seen better days, half of the bushings for the pivot pins are actually missing. They look like their made from cast aluminum and have just disintegrated, replacing with a Garelick 71057 purchased on sale at Wholesale Marine.

Between the two boats I have three head sails, two standard jibs and a heavy duty 150 genoa. I sent the better of the two jibs out to SailCare to be inspected and cleaned. They confirmed that it was a good sail and just needed cleaning, will cost $133 and should have it back next week. The genoa doesn't look like it saw much use so I think I'll let it fly. Would be nice to have a 130 genoa to balance out the sail inventory, maybe I can sell the extra jib and find a used one.

I decided I just wasn't comfortable with the standing rig that came with boat number two. I found a meat hook in one of the side stays and most of the turnbuckle toggles were slightly bent so I decided not to risk it. I opted for peace of mind and ordered a complete set of rigging from Rudy at D&R Marine. Also bought a new tiller handle while I was at it.

My last big obstacle is to finish repairing the lower unit on the Suzuki DT8. I completely rebuilt the unit with new bearings, seals, water pump and some other hard parts. It's been sitting horizontal on a pallet in the warehouse at work and I noticed a puddle of gear oil the other day. Electrolysis chewed up the housings pretty good so I think I know where the leak is and fixing it shouldn't be that difficult.

I just need a couple weekends to finish up these last few tasks...