O'Day 40 +135 Information, Review, Specs

Sailing Performance & Handling

The influence of C. Raymond Hunt Associates is most evident in the boat's handling. The O'Day 40 features a relatively modern underbody for its era, with a fin keel and a balanced spade rudder that provides responsive, almost dinghy-like feedback for a boat of its displacement. With a Displacement/Length (D/L) ratio typically hovering in the moderate range, the boat avoids the "sluggish" reputation of earlier heavy-displacement cruisers.

Under sail, the O'Day 40 is known for being remarkably stiff, a trait attributed to its generous beam and well-placed ballast. When equipped with the 135% overlapping genoa—a configuration so common it is often listed as the standard performance baseline—the boat excels in light-to-moderate air. Owners frequently report that the boat tracks exceptionally well on a reach, though like many masthead rigs of the 1980s, it requires timely reefing of the large headsail to maintain balance as the wind climbs above 18 knots. The T-shaped cockpit is ergonomically designed for shorthanded sailing, allowing the helmsperson easy access to the primary winches.

Interior Comfort & Variations

The O'Day 40 was produced in two primary configurations: a two-cabin and a three-cabin layout, the latter being rarer and primarily targeted at the charter market. In the standard two-cabin version, the interior is characterized by a sprawling aft stateroom that utilizes the boat's 12-foot, 7-inch beam to provide an athwartships double berth—a luxury that was revolutionary for 40-footers in the mid-80s.

The main salon features a U-shaped settee to port and a straight settee to starboard, finished with a generous amount of teak that provides a warmer, more traditional aesthetic than the "liner-heavy" look of its French competitors from the same era. The galley is a highlight for long-term cruisers, typically featuring a double stainless steel sink, a three-burner stove with oven, and a massive top-loading icebox often retrofitted with refrigeration.

Its sibling, the O'Day 39, shares the same hull and basic lines but lacks the "sugar scoop" transom and some of the interior refinements found in the 40. While the 39 feels more like a traditional racer-cruiser, the 40 leanings are decidedly toward "performance cruising," with increased water and fuel capacities to support extended stays at anchor.

Known Issues & Buyer’s Checklist

Prospective buyers of an O'Day 40 should focus their inspection on the following high-signal areas identified by the owner community:

• The "O'Day Smile": Like many keel-stepped boats of this era, the O'Day 40 can develop a hairline crack at the leading edge of the keel-to-hull joint. While often cosmetic, it can indicate a need to retorque keel bolts or inspect the fiberglass sump for compression.
• Deck Coring: O'Day used balsa coring in the decks. Inspection should focus on high-stress areas like the mast partner, stanchion bases, and the windlass mount. Soft spots in these areas are common if hardware has not been re-bedded.
• Grid Delamination: The hull utilizes an internal fiberglass grid system for structural rigidity. In boats that have experienced a hard grounding, this grid can sometimes separate from the hull. Tapping out the interior grid with a phenolic hammer can reveal voids or delamination.
• Chainplate Leaks: The chainplates pass through the deck and are bolted to the bulkheads. If the deck seals fail, water can migrate into the plywood bulkheads, leading to rot that compromises the structural integrity of the rig.

Community & Resources

The O'Day 40 benefits from a robust secondary market and a dedicated owner base. The most prominent resource is the O'Day Owners Association, which maintains a wealth of technical documentation, original brochures, and a community-led forum for troubleshooting model-specific issues. Because many parts were sourced from standard manufacturers of the time (such as Lewmar, Kenyon, and Yanmar), mechanical and hardware support remains readily available.

The Verdict

The O'Day 40 is a refined, capable cruiser that offers significantly more "boat" for the money than many contemporary brands. It strikes a successful balance between the performance pedigree of a Hunt design and the comfort requirements of a family cruiser.

Pros:

• Excellent Pedigree: Designed by C. Raymond Hunt Associates, ensuring predictable and rewarding handling.
• Spacious Aft Cabin: One of the best aft-stateroom layouts for a boat under 42 feet from the 1980s.
• Balanced Rig: The masthead rig is robust and easily managed by a couple, especially with the 135% genoa.

Cons:

• Aging Deck Cores: Potential for balsa rot requires a vigilant surveyor.
• Limited Production Run: As one of the last models produced, finding specific original trim pieces can be a challenge.
• Keel Sump Depth: The shallow sump requires diligent bilge management to keep the cabin sole dry.