1979 O'Day 25 vs Hunter 306 — Comparison
1979 O'Day 25
Hunter 306
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1979 O'Day 25 | Hunter 306 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | O'Day | Hunter |
| Year | 1979–1984 | 1999–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | C. Raymond Hunt | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 9.25 m (30.3 ft) |
| LWL | 6.25 m (20.5 ft) | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) | 3.10 m (10.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,769 kg (3,900 lbs) | 3,990 kg (8,796 lbs) |
| Ballast | 726 kg (1,601 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 27.2 m² (293 ft²) | 43.0 m² (463 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 7 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 30 L (7.9 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1979 O'Day 25 and Hunter 306 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1979 O'Day 25 is a 1970s design by O'Day from USA, while the Hunter 306 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1979 O'Day 25 was penned by C. Raymond Hunt. The Hunter 306 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
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 306 at 9.25m (30.3ft) with a 3.10m beam. The Hunter 306 is 1.63m longer than the 1979 O'Day 25. The Hunter 306 displaces approximately 126% 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 306, with an SA/D of 17.37 and 43.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1979 O'Day 25 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 306 has a comfort ratio of 19.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 41.0% for the 1979 O'Day 25 and 39.8% for the Hunter 306, 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 306 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 57L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 306 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 1979 O'Day 25 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Hunter 306 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: 1979 O'Day 25 · Hunter 306