O'Day 22
Built 1972–1983 by O'Day Corp.
About the O'Day 22
Researched from public sources for this model. Any individual boat may have been modified or repowered — confirm before relying on any figure.
- Built
- 1972–1983
- Builder
- O'Day Corp.
- Designer
- C. Raymond Hunt & Assoc.
- Length
- 21.67 ft
- Waterline
- 18.92 ft
- Beam
- 7.17 ft
- Draft
- 4.25 ft
- Displacement
- 2,183 lb
- Ballast
- 800 lb
- Hull / keel
- centerboard
- Rig
- sloop
- Propulsion
- outboard
- Water
- 15 gal
- Number built
- 3,159
- Bow thruster
- not fitted
- Stern thruster
- not fitted
- Steering
- tiller
Tank capacities — where the figures come from
-
Fuel unknown
An outboard-powered boat: the 1980 and 1981 O'Day brochures list an outboard bracket and a cockpit locker for a portable gas tank, with no built-in tank.
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Water 15 gal
“a 5 gallon tank located just under the forward end of the cockpit” — search excerpt, forums.sailboatowners.com · “a 3 gallon water tank on the starboard side in the cockpit storage locker” — search excerpt, forums.sailboatowners.com · “a 15-gallon water supply” — brochure (1981), sbo.sailboatowners.com · “15 gallon seamless plastic fresh-water tank” — brochure (1981), sbo.sailboatowners.com · “a 15-gallon water supply” — brochure (1980), static1.squarespace.comThe 1980 and 1981 O'Day Cruisers brochures both give the 22 a 15-gal water supply; the 1981 one describes a seamless plastic tank, standard on the 22, 23 and 25. The 5-gal and 3-gal tanks owners describe are probably on earlier boats (the 22 was reworked in 1979-80) or are replacements.
-
Holding unknown
The brochures list a carry-home (portable) head as standard; no holding tank figure.
-
Water heater unknown
The 1981 O'Day Cruisers builder brochure lists the O'Day 22's standard features (12 V breaker panel, 15 gal plastic fresh-water tank, galley fresh-water pump) and the full cruiser option list. Neither includes a water heater or any 110 V system, though the brochure doesn't say none was available.
Tanks are often replaced or added on older boats — check the tank labels or a survey for yours.
Thrusters and steering — where this comes from
-
Bow thruster not fitted
“1981 O'Day Cruisers standard features and description of 1981 O'Day Cruiser line options (22, 23, 25): no thruster liste” — brochure (1981), sbo.sailboatowners.comThe 1981 builder brochure's full standard-feature and option lists for the Cruiser line have no thruster (1981 only).
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Stern thruster not fitted
“1981 O'Day Cruisers standard features and description of 1981 O'Day Cruiser line options (22, 23, 25): no thruster liste” — brochure (1981), sbo.sailboatowners.com
-
Steering tiller
“Transom mounted fiberglass rudder with varnished ash tiller. (1981 O'Day Cruisers standard features)” — brochure (1981), sbo.sailboatowners.com · “Tiller Extension - Adjustable length, self-locking aluminum tiller extension. (option)” — brochure (1981), sbo.sailboatowners.comBuilder brochure (Bangor Punta, 1981) lists a transom-hung fiberglass rudder with ash tiller as standard for the O'Day 22, 23 and 25; no wheel option is offered.
Thrusters and steering are often replaced — check the units on your boat before ordering parts.
Trailerable. Specs shown are the post-1980 fractional-rig keel/centerboard version (draft 1.25 ft board up, 4.25 ft down); earlier boats were masthead-rigged (listed separately as the O'Day 22 MH), and a fixed shoal keel was also offered. Sailboatdata lists an outboard of up to 15 hp. PS calls it tender and slow to point. Hull laminate not stated in sources read.
Generator
Outboard-powered trailerable cruiser; the 1981 builder standard-feature and option lists include no generator.
Manuals and brochures online
- Brochure 1981 'The O'Day Cruisers' brochure (O'Day 22, 23, 25 - standard features and options) (1981) — sbo.sailboatowners.com
Hosted by the builder or an owners' association; they own the copyright.
Known problems for this model
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Hinged stamped mast step rigging
PS was wary of the stamped stainless hinged mast step, which needs care and a steady boat when raising or lowering the mast.practical-sailor.com
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Centerboard upkeep and swelling hull
PS says the centerboard is hard to maintain. Owners note that a swollen board can jam in its trunk, which hurts sailing but not safety.practical-sailor.com · sailnet.com
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Gelcoat voids and print-through hull
Readers reported gelcoat voids, and PS saw consistent print-through of the laminate pattern in the gelcoat.practical-sailor.com
Model sources (5)
sailboatdata.com · practical-sailor.com · sailnet.com · sbo.sailboatowners.com · static1.squarespace.com
Own a O'Day 22? Add her to your boats, then share a photo — names, numbers and faces are blurred before it appears.
Researched from public sources. Spotted an error? The sources are listed above — tell us what they got wrong.