O'Day 37 Buyer's Guide
Shopping the used O'Day 37 means looking at a center-cockpit cruiser that earned its reputation with sailing schools, charter fleets, and families after its 1978 introduction, with hundreds built before the model was phased out in 1984. These are boats of the Bangor Punta production era, typically with a Universal diesel and a private aft cabin that still defines the layout.
Layouts on the Used Market
The used fleet centers on the standard center-cockpit plan: a forward V-berth cabin with small head, a main saloon with opposing settees and drop-leaf table, and the signature roomy aft cabin with athwartships double berth and private head with shower. The pedestal crowds the aft cabin entry, and the forward cabin is split by somewhat flimsy folding doors. The small galley to port and chart table opposite remain as original, with teak joinery simple but well done. Some boats had deck prisms or skylights forward in addition to the standard hatches.
Equipment and Common Upgrades
On the used market, biminis, dodgers, radar, spinnakers, and chartplotters are commonly fitted, while solar panels, wind generators, dinghy davits, and autopilots appear as sometimes-seen owner upgrades. The original specification included a 28-inch wheel, two-speed Barient jib winches, deck-stepped single-spreader mast, and pressure hot and cold water as a standard uncommon for the day. Double lifelines were optional but most boats seem to carry them. A rubrail was a nice option rather than standard.
What to Inspect
Most owners complained that the original hatches and especially the plastic port lights need upgrading, and in most cases replacement. The flush mounted forward hatch is prone to leaking, and forward deck prisms or skylights on some boats also leaked. The chainplates are difficult to access from down below, complicating inspection. Original standing rigging included swaged terminals that will need replacement if not already addressed. The cast single anchor bow roller is a bit undersized. Engine access is not as good as it should be from behind both companionways, and accessing the stuffing box is particularly challenging — one owner notes installing a dripless model to solve the problem.
Availability and Buyer's Takeaway
The O'Day 37 typically appears in the United States, Netherlands, and Greece. For a buyer, the checklist is short and fact-based:
- Verify hatches and plastic port lights have been upgraded or budget for replacement
- Check flush forward hatch and any forward skylights for leak history
- Confirm swaged rigging terminals replaced
- Inspect chainplates as best possible given poor below access
- Evaluate stuffing box access; prefer dripless conversion
- Note undersized single bow roller and plan ground tackle accordingly
Price & volume trends
Monthly asking-price and listing-volume trends for the O'Day 37. The line shows the median ask each month; the bars show how many listings appeared.
Monthly breakdown · 6 rows
| Month | Listings | Median ask | Δ vs. last mo. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 25 | 1 | $ 21,500 | — |
| Sep 25 | 2 | $ 30,038 | +39.7% |
| Oct 25 | 2 | $ 34,500 | +14.9% |
| Jan 26 | 1 | $ 34,500 | 0.0% |
| Feb 26 | 4 | $ 12,000 | -65.2% |
| Apr 26 | 2 | $ 16,750 | +39.6% |
Where they're listed
O'Day 37 listings appear across 3 countries. United States has the most listings with 8 (72.7%), followed by Netherlands and Greece.
Country view
11 listings · 3 countries| Country | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $ 16,750 | 8 | 0 | 72.7% |
| Netherlands | $ 37,190 | 2 | 0 | 18.2% |
| Greece | $ 22,886 | 1 | 0 | 9.1% |
Comparable models
Similar length, displacement, and era. Open a row to compare that model's market page.
Similar boats to compare
9 similar designs| Model | LOA | Median ask | Listings · 12 mo | Active · 90 d |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sun Sun Odyssey 37 | 37.44' | $ 78,956 | 126 | 50 |
| Bavaria Yachts 37 | 37.89' | $ 68,601 | 47 | 16 |
| O'Day 35 | 35' | $ 28,500 | 25 | 13 |
| Moody 37 | 37' | $ 63,479 | 18 | 3 |
| ODay 30 | 29.92' | $ 15,450 | 14 | 5 |
| O'Day 37You are here | — | $ 22,886 | 11 | 0 |
| Gulfstar 37 | 37' | $ 25,000 | 11 | 4 |
| Oyster Yachts 37 | 37' | $ 53,911 | 9 | 2 |
| CSY 37 | 37.25' | $ 29,900 | 8 | 2 |