1972 O’day 23 Pop-top
GENERAL INFORMATION
The O’day 23 full cabin pop-tops were built for three years, 1970-73. Approximately 280 were built. The pop-top operates much like a pop up camper. Crank the winch in the forward berth and the top lifts to give 6’ 4” of headroom. With the top down, headroom is 4’ 7”. Attach the weather curtains and the interior can be screened or zippered closed to provide warm dry protection from the rain. The boat sails very well. It has a balanced helm and feels like a much larger boat. This is perhaps due to a higher freeboard than similar and smaller boats. We have sailed it in the Apostle Islands of Lake Superior as well as our local inland lakes.
Overall length is 23’, beam is 7’ 11”, and sail area 245 square feet. Draft is 2’ with centerboard up and 5’ 5” with board down. The boat weighs approximately 3,100 pounds. It has a steel keel attached with stainless steel keel bolts to a recess in the hull.
The cockpit is 6’ long with one enormous locker and one smaller one intended for the outboard fuel tank. Inside, there is a berth forward for two, a four-seat dinette with adjustable table to make a salon berth for two more. The quarter berth has been converted to storage and utility space. The galley has a sink, space for a propane or alcohol stove, and an icebox. The cushions are original. There is generous storage below all the berths and salon seats.
We are the third owner. The boat was originally purchased in Dallas, Texas in 1972 for $6,000. It was moved to Chicago and then back to San Antonio, Texas. It sat in the owner’s driveway for several years before a neighbor bought it. The new owner stored all the sails, cushions and rigging inside for the next seventeen years and the boat did not see water until I purchased her in 2003.
RENOVATION 2003-2004
After sailing for the first season in 2003 it was determined that the boat was sound and handled very well. It was well balanced and required little effort even in a stiff wind. The gel coat was very dull and could not be brought back. There were numerous hairline cracks on deck and the hardware was very outdated. It was time to bring this boat back to life.
Finishes –
• Bottom was sanded and given three coats of Micron CSC ablative bottom paint.
• Hull and boot stripe were sanded, primed and painted with Awlgrip polyurethane.
• Deck cracks were filled and sanded. Areas of delamination were drilled and epoxied. Non-skid was sanded, filled with epoxy and repainted with Awlgrip and nonskid particles. Entire deck was repainted with Awlgrip polyurethane. There was no wet or rotted core in the decks.
• Areas of wet core and rotted balsa core in the cabin top were removed and replaced with Divinycell closed foam core and epoxied in place. Additional core was installed in cabin sides to facilitate installation of new ports.
• Cabin top and sides lined with gray indoor-outdoor carpet.
Hardware and Trim–
• All old hardware was removed. New hardware was installed and sealed by over drilling the size of all holes, removing exposed core and filling with epoxy. New holes then were drilled and hardware was installed in a bed of polysulfide.
• Four new cleats installed, 2 forward and 2 aft.
• Chainplates rebedded.
• Stemhead fitting rebedded.
• Three Garhauer rope clutches installed to handle halyards. A double clutch to starboard for main sail and spinnaker and a single to port for the jib.
• Two Harken cam clutches for topping lift and reefing line (reefing line not yet installed).
• New deck organizers and turning blocks (Viadana) for lines led aft.
• Harken swivel cam cleat for mainsheet.
• Original Marinium winches were rebuilt.
• Six new Vetus aluminum opening ports with screens installed in newly created cabin sides in place of existing and badly leaking ports.
• All teak trim removed, refinished with Cetol and rebedded with polysulfide.
• New Tops in Quality stainless steel bow pulpit and stern rail added along with two lifeline stanchions each side. All deck penetrations made through solid epoxy and bedded in polysulfide.
Rigging-
• Standing rigging is all-original with the exception of the forestay, which was replaced in 2003.
• Main and jib halyards replaced with Sta-set X low stretch line.
• Topping lift, jib sheets and mainsheet replaced with Sta-set.
• Garhauer boom vang installed.
• Masthead fitting completely rebuilt with new sheaves with oiled bronze bushings.
Sails-
• Both the main and the jib are original. Since they were stored indoors for more than 17 years they are still in pretty good condition.
• The hanked on jib is 100%.
• The main was cleaned and processed by Sailcare in the winter of 2003. Batten pockets were repaired and new insignias sewn on.
• A symmetrical spinnaker was purchased used in the winter of 2004. A new spinnaker pole is included.
Electrical-
• There was no electrical system present when the boat was manufactured and at my time of purchase.
• Running lights were installed.
• Steaming light was installed on the mast.
• A Davis LED anchor light with photocell was installed at the masthead.
• An electrical panel was fabricated of aluminum with teak trim to house switches with indicator lights, 12-volt plug receptacles, ammeter and voltmeter.
• Four position battery switch installed.
• Custom battery box fabricated and 2-6 volt golf cart batteries installed for an amp hour capacity of approximately 220.
• Two 10-watt halogen cabin lights with switches installed in a custom fabricated cabin beam.
• A 600-watt inverter is installed.
• A new Icom VHF radio was installed with antenna.
Plumbing-
• The existing ice box and sink drain were connected to a thru hull that was mounted too high to function. The plumbing and thru hull were removed and the hole was epoxied over and sanded smooth.
• A new thru hull with seacock was installed.
• Plumbing hoses have not been replaced at this time.
• A new portable toilet was installed.
Auxiliary Power-
• The original 8 horsepower Chrysler outboard is included. It is very tired but will run well from time to time. It has no charging capability. The Honda outboard shown in the picture is not available.
Trailer-
• A custom tandem axle trailer made for this boat is included. Currently the tilt mechanism is broken. Inertia brakes have been rebuilt (all four wheels) and a new inertia receiver was added in 2003. The trailer acts more as a cradle than anything else. Launching is very easy while loading can be tricky.
Work to Done-
• Teak trim to be added around cabin top, interior
• New interior non structural bulkheads
• Insulate ice box
• Add drain line for sink and ice box
• Water tank
Over $10,000 invested and countless hours of labor was spent to bring this classic back to a better than new condition.
