Design and Construction
Hull construction is a solid laminate of fiberglass and plastic resin, and the same interior fiberglass hull liner that forms the lockers, seats, and berths gives the boat its structural and accommodation backbone anchor. Decks follow the period norm with a balsa wood core. The keel is cast iron, and both deep and shoal draft versions share the same spade rudder — a large blade intended for good control. The deep draft keel draws 5 feet 7 inches as a moderate aspect fin for good windward performance, while the shoal version draws 4 feet 3 inches; on that shoal model the rudder is nearly exactly the same depth as the bottom of the keel, which leaves it quite vulnerable to damage by grounding. Short overhangs yield a reasonably long sailing length for the overall size.
Rig and Handling
The displacement/length ratio of 216 and sail area/displacement ratio of 16.45 place the 34 in the moderate, predictable range rather than the featherweight racer or heavy voyager camps. The deep draft fin gives solid upwind ability, and the oversized rudder provides authority in close quarters. Weighing the shoal draft option means trading some of that pointing for access to thinner water, but the shared rudder depth on the shoal boat is a real vulnerability: a grounding can strike rudder and keel together.
Accommodations
Below, the layout is a conventional and practical cruising arrangement. A V-berth cabin sits forward, followed by a head to port and hanging lockers to starboard. The main saloon carries port and starboard settees around a centerline drop-leaf table, and aft to starboard is a quarter berth with a navigation station. Opposite, to port, is a U-shaped galley. The fiberglass liner integrates these spaces so the interior reads as one molded environment rather than a collection of added furniture.
Known Issues
Occasional osmotic blistering of the bottom does appear on the O'Day 34. The cast iron keel is the more consistent worry: most reflect a rather poor job of preparation and preserving the metal at the factory, and rust scaling is common if an owner has not taken the time to prepare the surface and preserve it properly. The shoal-draft rudder vulnerability to grounding damage is the other item a buyer should weigh.
Power and Systems
Auxiliary power came from Universal Marine's three-cylinder, 21-horsepower, fresh-water-cooled diesel, installed beneath the bridge deck with good access to all sides. The fuel tank and water heater sit aft of the engine. The engine placement and surrounding layout make routine service straightforward compared with many mid-cabin installations of the era.
The Verdict
The O'Day 34 is a sensibly proportioned Hunt-designed cruiser whose solid glass hull and molded liner give it a durable, if not glamorous, foundation. The keel preservation and shoal-rudder grounding risk are the caveats; the accommodations and engine access are quiet strengths.
Pros
- Solid fiberglass hull with integrated liner structure
- V-berth-forward layout with proper nav station and U-galley
- Good all-around engine access beneath the bridge deck
- Moderate fin keel with strong windward manners
Cons
- Cast iron keel commonly shows poor factory preservation and rust scaling
- Shoal-draft rudder is as deep as the keel and vulnerable to grounding
- Occasional bottom osmotic blistering
