1974 O'Day 23 vs 1982 Freedom 28 — Comparison
1974 O'Day 23
1982 Freedom 28
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1974 O'Day 23 | 1982 Freedom 28 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | O'Day | Freedom |
| Year | 1974–1983 | 1982–1988 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | C. Raymond Hunt | Garry Hoyt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 6.93 m (22.7 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| LWL | 5.79 m (19.0 ft) | 7.01 m (23.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.24 m (7.3 ft) | 2.84 m (9.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.02 m (3.3 ft) | 1.14 m (3.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 816 kg (1,799 lbs) | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 295 kg (650 lbs) | 907 kg (2,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 17.5 m² (188 ft²) | 29.0 m² (312 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 5 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 11 L (2.9 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 15 L (4.0 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1974 O'Day 23 and 1982 Freedom 28 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1974 O'Day 23 is a 1970s design by O'Day from USA, while the 1982 Freedom 28 is a 1980s offering from Freedom from USA. The 1974 O'Day 23 was penned by C. Raymond Hunt. The 1982 Freedom 28 was designed by Garry Hoyt.
In terms of size, the 1974 O'Day 23 measures 6.93m (22.7ft) overall with a beam of 2.24m, compared to the 1982 Freedom 28 at 8.53m (28.0ft) with a 2.84m beam. The 1982 Freedom 28 is 1.60m longer than the 1974 O'Day 23. The 1982 Freedom 28 displaces approximately 206% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1974 O'Day 23 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 20.38 and 17.5 m² of sail area. The 1982 Freedom 28, with an SA/D of 16.02 and 29.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1974 O'Day 23 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1974 O'Day 23 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 11.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.96). The 1982 Freedom 28 has a comfort ratio of 17.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.84. The ballast ratios are 36.2% for the 1974 O'Day 23 and 36.4% for the 1982 Freedom 28, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1974 O'Day 23 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 15L of water capacity and 11L of fuel. The 1982 Freedom 28 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L water and 38L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1982 Freedom 28 is the better choice for comfortable cruising thanks to its higher comfort ratio, offering a gentler motion at sea that crews will appreciate on longer passages.
For racing: The 1974 O'Day 23 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1982 Freedom 28 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1974 O'Day 23 · 1982 Freedom 28