1978 Cape Dory 270 vs 1974 O'Day 23 — Comparison
1974 O'Day 23
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1978 Cape Dory 270 | 1974 O'Day 23 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Cape Dory | O'Day |
| Year | 1978–1985 | 1974–1983 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Carl Alberg | C. Raymond Hunt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) | 6.93 m (22.7 ft) |
| LWL | 6.40 m (21.0 ft) | 5.79 m (19.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) | 2.24 m (7.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.14 m (3.7 ft) | 1.02 m (3.3 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 816 kg (1,799 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,134 kg (2,500 lbs) | 295 kg (650 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 28.0 m² (301 ft²) | 17.5 m² (188 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 12 HP | 5 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 11 L (2.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 15 L (4.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1978 Cape Dory 270 and 1974 O'Day 23 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1978 Cape Dory 270 is a 1970s design by Cape Dory from USA, while the 1974 O'Day 23 is a 1970s offering from O'Day from USA. The 1978 Cape Dory 270 was penned by Carl Alberg. The 1974 O'Day 23 was designed by C. Raymond Hunt.
In terms of size, the 1978 Cape Dory 270 measures 8.23m (27.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.59m, compared to the 1974 O'Day 23 at 6.93m (22.7ft) with a 2.24m beam. The 1978 Cape Dory 270 is 1.30m longer than the 1974 O'Day 23. The 1978 Cape Dory 270 displaces approximately 234% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1978 Cape Dory 270 has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.60 and 28.0 m² of sail area. The 1974 O'Day 23, with an SA/D of 20.38 and 17.5 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The 1974 O'Day 23 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1978 Cape Dory 270 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 24.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.74). The 1974 O'Day 23 has a comfort ratio of 11.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.96. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1978 Cape Dory 270 and 36.2% for the 1974 O'Day 23, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1978 Cape Dory 270 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 68L of water capacity and 38L of fuel. The 1974 O'Day 23 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 15L water and 11L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1978 Cape Dory 270 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: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1978 Cape Dory 270 · 1974 O'Day 23