1977 Cape Dory 22 vs 1979 O'Day 28 — Comparison
1979 O'Day 28
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1977 Cape Dory 22 | 1979 O'Day 28 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Cape Dory | O'Day |
| Year | 1977–1983 | 1979–1985 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Carl Alberg | C. Raymond Hunt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 6.71 m (22.0 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| LWL | 5.18 m (17.0 ft) | 7.01 m (23.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.13 m (7.0 ft) | 2.84 m (9.3 ft) |
| Draft | 0.91 m (3.0 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,089 kg (2,401 lbs) | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 454 kg (1,001 lbs) | 1,089 kg (2,401 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 18.2 m² (196 ft²) | 31.0 m² (334 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 7 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 19 L (5.0 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 23 L (6.1 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1977 Cape Dory 22 and 1979 O'Day 28 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1977 Cape Dory 22 is a 1970s design by Cape Dory from USA, while the 1979 O'Day 28 is a 1970s offering from O'Day from USA. The 1977 Cape Dory 22 was penned by Carl Alberg. The 1979 O'Day 28 was designed by C. Raymond Hunt.
In terms of size, the 1977 Cape Dory 22 measures 6.71m (22.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.13m, compared to the 1979 O'Day 28 at 8.53m (28.0ft) with a 2.84m beam. The 1979 O'Day 28 is 1.82m longer than the 1977 Cape Dory 22. The 1979 O'Day 28 displaces approximately 150% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1977 Cape Dory 22 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.48 and 18.2 m² of sail area. The 1979 O'Day 28, with an SA/D of 16.16 and 31.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1977 Cape Dory 22 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1977 Cape Dory 22 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.2) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.83). The 1979 O'Day 28 has a comfort ratio of 18.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.81. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1977 Cape Dory 22 and 40.0% for the 1979 O'Day 28, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1977 Cape Dory 22 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 23L of water capacity and 19L of fuel. The 1979 O'Day 28 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L water and 38L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1977 Cape Dory 22 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 1977 Cape Dory 22 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1979 O'Day 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: 1977 Cape Dory 22 · 1979 O'Day 28