O'Day 272 Sailboats for Sale

Layouts on the Used Market

The 272 was built in a single interior configuration throughout its production run, so variation between hulls is limited. The layout follows a conventional forward V-berth arrangement with a small enclosed head to one side, an open saloon with settees on each side amidships, a compact galley to port, and a quarter berth tucking under the cockpit to starboard. That quarter berth is genuinely useful for a second sleeper who wants some separation from the saloon, and it doubles as stowage when not in use. Standing headroom is modest — under six feet — which is typical for a boat of this waterline length, and prospective buyers of any height should make a point of checking it in person. The folding saloon table is a standard fitting and large enough for a small crew at anchor. The interior is functional rather than luxurious; O'Day built these boats for sailors, not for dock parties, and the accommodation reflects that priority.

Equipment and Common Upgrades

Most used examples reach the market with a bimini already fitted, reflecting the boat's primary use as a coastal and inland-lake daysailer and weekender where sun protection matters as much as performance. Chartplotters and autopilots are commonly found aboard, and the presence of autopilot in particular is worth noting — it signals that many owners have used this boat for modest passages where one-handed sailing is the norm, and the short-handed setup that goes with it (self-tailing winches, a roller furling headsail, and a simple reefing arrangement on the main) is often already in place. A dodger occasionally appears as an owner upgrade, providing weather protection that the cockpit otherwise lacks. Electronics packages vary widely; older depth sounders and VHF radios from the original owner era are sometimes still in service, while more active sailors have refreshed to current chartplotter and AIS standards. The auxiliary situation is perhaps the most variable element: the boat was offered with both outboard power and an optional inboard diesel, and used examples carry both configurations. An inboard is generally preferable for offshore passages or Great Lakes crossings, while outboard-equipped boats are lighter and simpler to maintain for purely lake and coastal use. Confirm which arrangement is aboard before the survey.

What to Inspect

The 272's most consistent vulnerability is deck hardware integrity. Chainplate attachments and the bulkheads to which they are fastened deserve particular scrutiny: water intrusion through deck fittings is a longstanding owner complaint, and staining on the headliner is a tell-tale sign that moisture has been working its way into the deck core. Have a surveyor tap and probe the deck around every fitting. The forward hatch on early hulls was prone to leaking and clouding, and replacement hatches are a common upgrade; check the bedding around any hatch that appears to be a non-original unit.

The roller furling headsail system warrants a close look. Cruising Design furlers fitted from the factory were budget-grade and had a limited service life; many have been replaced with aftermarket units from Harken or other quality manufacturers. If the original system is still in place, budget for a replacement. The mainsail and genoa on boats that have not had canvas work in many years are likely overdue for replacement — sails on actively sailed examples accumulate significant wear over time, and sail shape matters disproportionately on a boat with a modest sail area-to-displacement ratio.

Check the mast wiring carefully. Masthead light circuits and internal wiring runs have been a recurring nuisance on aging hulls, and any boat that has not had its mast pulled and wiring inspected in recent memory should have that done. The wheel steering system uses cables and a linkage to the outboard-mounted rudder — an unusual arrangement — and those cables should be inspected for wear and proper tension. The arrangement works well when in good order but can transmit excessive stress to the rudder fittings in chop if adjustment has been neglected. The pressurized water pump and the marine head are wear items that typically need attention after extended use; confirm both are functioning and budget for replacement if not.

Availability and Buyer's Takeaway

Used O'Day 272s surface most reliably in the United States, concentrated around the Great Lakes — where the shallow wing keel opened otherwise inaccessible anchorages and harbors — and along the East Coast. The production run was relatively small, so the pool of available boats at any given moment is modest, and buyers should expect to be patient or willing to travel. Prices occupy the accessible end of the used-boat spectrum, which makes the 272 a reasonable first cruising boat for a sailor moving up from dinghy sailing or a trailerable racer.

The boat's wing keel is genuinely useful for shallow-draft sailing but is not without tradeoff: performance on a dead run is the acknowledged weak point, and buyers who plan to do significant downwind passages should be aware of it. A whisker pole and the ability to wing the jib help considerably. In its element — reaching across protected waters in moderate air with a small crew — the 272 is an honest, well-balanced pocket cruiser that rewards attentive ownership.

Before making an offer, confirm:

• Survey includes deck tap-test around all hardware and chainplate bulkheads
• Roller furling condition and brand — original units may need immediate replacement
• Auxiliary type (outboard vs. inboard) and recent service history
• Mast wiring and masthead light circuit function
• Wheel steering cable condition and rudder fitting integrity
• Age and condition of sails, including any reefing gear
• Hatch bedding integrity, particularly the forward hatch
• Marine head and freshwater pump operability