O'Day 40 Sailboat Review, Specs, and Listings

Design and Construction

Briand brought a flatter underbody and a finer entry to the O'Day 40, and carried the beam well aft to give the boat plenty of form stability anchor. The result is a more contemporary, performance-oriented hull shape than previous O'Day models, with a much higher speed potential and better manners off the wind. The hull is a cored composite using three-quarters of an inch of balsa, polyester resin, and biaxial fiberglass cloth, while the decks are composite with balsa and plywood core. A structural grid system manages rig loads, and support comes from fiberglass liners, plywood bulkheads, and longitudinal and athwartship members. Attachment of those components was done well, and serious structural concerns are rare. Fit and finish are typical of entry-level 1980s boats.

Rig and Handling

Most O'Day 40s were produced as masthead sloops with a deck-stepped mast and an aft cockpit. The sail plan carries generous canvas: a 100% foretriangle of 392.69 square feet and a mainsail of 329.28 square feet for a total of 721.97 square feet. With a displacement of 18,000 to 18,500 pounds and a ballast ratio near 40 percent, the boat shows a sail-area-to-displacement ratio around 16.3 to 16.9 and a displacement-length ratio of 214. U.S. Sailing's PHRF assigns an average handicap of 114, making her 39 seconds per mile slower than a J/40 and 57 seconds behind the strictly cruising Island Packet 38. Reviewers describe her as a balanced boat with balanced handling, a capable passage-maker blending comfort and respectable speed.

Accommodations

The O'Day 40 is characterized by impressive interior volume and is an excellent liveaboard candidate. The layout offers two cabins and two heads: a forepeak with a V-berth and a port-side head and shower beside a starboard hanging locker, a main saloon with U-shaped dinette and drop-leaf table to port and settee to starboard, and a quarter-berth cabin with a large athwartship double tucked under the cockpit. The galley is a U-shape tucked to starboard in one description and described as spacious aft to port with a forward-facing nav station opposite in another. A low cabin trunk slopes gradually to the foredeck, and angled cabin sides meet wide side decks for secure footing when heeled. The deep cockpit seats comfortably with lockers port and starboard, and the transom carries a swim platform ahead of its time.

Known Issues

On fin-keel models, a hairline crack at the front of the keel-to-hull joint — sometimes called the "O'Day Smile" — may be only gelcoat or may signal a more serious condition anchor. Unless remedial work has been done, these boats are likely to show some osmotic blistering below the waterline. Deck cracking and crazing are quite common and can in severe cases affect structural integrity.

Refits and Ownership

Auxiliary power most commonly came from a Universal M-35 or M-40 diesel, though a Westerbeke 46-horsepower engine is also documented, mounted below the companionway steps. Reasonable engine access is gained by removing the steps and starboard-side aft panels. With about 100 gallons of water and 40 gallons of fuel, plus a large foredeck anchor locker and perforated aluminum toe rail, the boat supports extended cruising. Wide side decks and rail-mounted stanchions keep lifelines clear of traffic.

The Verdict

The O'Day 40 represents a mature design statement from a storied American marque working with European talent. It rewards the cruiser with volume, stability, and off-wind performance in a manageable 40-foot package, while demanding attention to deck core and keel joint on the used market.

Pros