1979 O'Day 25 vs Hunter 170 — Comparison
1979 O'Day 25
Hunter 170
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1979 O'Day 25 | Hunter 170 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | O'Day | Hunter |
| Year | 1979–1984 | 1996–2009 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | C. Raymond Hunt | Hunter Design Team |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 5.18 m (17.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.25 m (20.5 ft) | 4.57 m (15.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) | 0.84 m (2.8 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,769 kg (3,900 lbs) | 295 kg (650 lbs) |
| Ballast | 726 kg (1,601 lbs) | 59 kg (130 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 27.2 m² (293 ft²) | 11.2 m² (121 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Centerboard |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 7 HP | — |
| Fuel Capacity | 30 L (7.9 gal) | — |
| Water Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | — |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | — |
| Cabins | 1 | — |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1979 O'Day 25 and Hunter 170 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1979 O'Day 25 is a 1970s design by O'Day from USA, while the Hunter 170 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1979 O'Day 25 was penned by C. Raymond Hunt. The Hunter 170 was designed by Hunter Design Team.
In terms of size, the 1979 O'Day 25 measures 7.62m (25.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.74m, compared to the Hunter 170 at 5.18m (17.0ft) with a 1.98m beam. The 1979 O'Day 25 is 2.44m longer than the Hunter 170. The 1979 O'Day 25 displaces approximately 500% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1979 O'Day 25 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.90 and 27.2 m² of sail area. The Hunter 170, with an SA/D of 25.70 and 11.2 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Hunter 170 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1979 O'Day 25 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.91). The Hunter 170 has a comfort ratio of 8.1 and a capsize screening value of 1.19. The ballast ratios are 41.0% for the 1979 O'Day 25 and 20.0% for the Hunter 170, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1979 O'Day 25 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 45L of water capacity and 30L of fuel. The Hunter 170 offers an unspecified number of berths with unspecified water tankage and unspecified fuel.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 O'Day 25 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 Hunter 170 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: 1979 O'Day 25 · Hunter 170