by jalmeida51 » Fri Jul 07, 2023 9:16 pm
I owned a 1981 Rebel DaySailer 1 for about4 years. I never had any rot problems. I did ad extra floatation under the seats. I did a lot of upgrades to the rigging. Replaced the standing rigging with 1/8 shrouds and headstay. With turnbuckles. Upgraded the spreaders. One problem was where the tabernacle was bolted through the cabin roof the bolts almost pulled through the roof. I blame that on 3/32 rigging. It seemed that rigging would loosen up so it had to checked. I made a slainless plate under the cabin roof.This stopped the bolts from pulling through.
The boat was fun to sail, not sure about racing it due to the weight? I think it had less problems than the O'Days of the same vintage. If you are planning on keeping it in the water I would do the upgrades to the rigging.
I wish that I never sold it. It was a great boat.
John