No idea why, but today I thought of the movie titled We Bought a Zoo and decided to model my title after that show.
Huge news … we have upgraded from our Shark 24 to an O’Day 34. One would think that’s just 10 feet but in fact, in the boat world, this is easily double the boat … at least in my opinion. Now we can do some serious coastal cruising along with our usual day trips around the harbour. Many of my fellow sailors are pretty excited that I’ll be joining them for summer cruising this year in a boat which has everything one needs for life on the water. I list all the specifications below but in summary, here is what really counts:
- We can comfortably sleep up to six people.
- Janet and I will lay claim to the forward V-Berth cabin which is roomy by boat standards and has lots of storage, several drawers and a hanging locker with a drain should we decide to use it for wet gear. However, there is a second hanging locker in the main saloon so odds are wet gear will go there.
- The head waste can go overboard or into a holding tank. That means I can take this boat in US waters and meet their environmental requirements. There is both hot and cold water. To heat the water, the engine needs to run so I can see it will only be used sparingly. There is a shower hose to attach to the sink in the head and drains in the floor for the wastewater to flow out of the boat.
- The settee on the port side pulls out to become a double bed. The settee on the starboard side is a single bunk. There a single bunk under the starboard cockpit but it is next to the engine so likely not a popular spot to sleep given the persistent odor of diesel fuel always present.
- The table has leaves on both sides and when fully setup can easily accommodate six diners.
- At the back of the saloon, there is a chart table on the starboard side and the galley on the port side.
- The galley has a lot of storage, a two-burner stove with an oven, double sinks, two deep iceboxes and is well laid out to prepare meals efficiently. I look forward to our first meal on the boat.
- On the shelf above the chart table is the combination station for the chart-plotter and radar. At the chart table is the VHF radio and boat stereo with multiple inputs.
- In the cockpit, the wheel is augmented with an auto-pilot.
I can’t wait to learn how to use all the systems and electronics onboard.
Did I mention, WE BOUGHT A BOAT!
| General | ||
| Hull number 222 of 241 built | ||
| Steering | Edson | |
| Hull Dimensions | ||
| Length Overall | 34’0″ | 10.36 meters |
| Length at Water Line | 28″9″ | 8.76 meters |
| Beam | 11’3″ | 3.43 meters |
| Draft Shoal Keel | 4’5″ | 1.34 meters |
| Ballast Shoal Keel | 4,650 lbs. | 2,114 kilograms |
| Displacement | 11,500 lbs. | 5,216 kilograms |
| Rig Dimensions | ||
| I – vertical tack to fore-stay attachment | 43’0″ | 14.11 meters |
| J – horizontal tack to clew of foresail | 14’0″ | 4.27 meters |
| P – tack to max hoist of mainsail | 38’0″ | 11.58 meters |
| E – tack to clew of mainsail | 11’9″ | 3.58 meters |
| 100% Fore Triangle ( I * J ) / 2 | 301.0 sq. ft. | 27.96 sq. meters |
| Mainsail Area ( P * E ) / 2 | 233.3 sq. ft. | 20.74 sq. meters |
| Total | 524.3 sq. ft. | 48.7 sq. meters |
| Mast Height Above Water | 47’2″ | 14.37 meters |
| Capacities | ||
| Berths | 6 | |
| Fresh Water (2 tanks) | 50 gallons | 190 liters |
| Fuel | 30 gallons | 114 liters |
| Head Holding Tank | 15 gallons | 57 liters |
| Iceboxes (2) | 8 cubic ft. | 226.6 liters |
| Hot Water Heater | 6 gallons | 57 liters |
| Stove – Fuel – LPG 2 tanks | 4 1/4 lbs ea. | |
| Engine – Universal M25 3 cylinder | diesel | 24 HP |
| Ground Tackle | ||
| Bruce Anchors (2) | 30′ chain 200′ nylon rope | Bow Roller |
| Danforth Anchor | 50′ chain 200′ nylon rope | |
| Double life lines | port and starboard gates | |
| Bow and stern pulpits | Swim ladder in stern | |
| Mooring Bridles | Assorted dock lines | Numerous fenders |
| Electronics | ||
| VHF Radio | ||
| Binnacle compass | ||
| Signet depth sounder and knot meter | ||
| Garmin GPSMap 3210 chartplotter & digital radar | ||
| Raymarine EV-100 autopilot | ||
| Stereo: Radio, CD player, auxiliary | iPod etc |