1981 Ericson 30+ vs 1974 O'Day 23 — Comparison
1974 O'Day 23
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1981 Ericson 30+ | 1974 O'Day 23 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Ericson | O'Day |
| Year | 1981–1986 | 1974–1983 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Bruce King | C. Raymond Hunt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 6.93 m (22.7 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 5.79 m (19.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) | 2.24 m (7.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.02 m (3.3 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,082 kg (8,999 lbs) | 816 kg (1,799 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,678 kg (3,699 lbs) | 295 kg (650 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.7 m² (427 ft²) | 17.5 m² (188 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 5 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 11 L (2.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 15 L (4.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1981 Ericson 30+ and 1974 O'Day 23 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1981 Ericson 30+ is a 1980s design by Ericson from USA, while the 1974 O'Day 23 is a 1970s offering from O'Day from USA. The 1981 Ericson 30+ was penned by Bruce King. The 1974 O'Day 23 was designed by C. Raymond Hunt.
In terms of size, the 1981 Ericson 30+ measures 9.14m (30.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.05m, compared to the 1974 O'Day 23 at 6.93m (22.7ft) with a 2.24m beam. The 1981 Ericson 30+ is 2.21m longer than the 1974 O'Day 23. The 1981 Ericson 30+ displaces approximately 400% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1981 Ericson 30+ has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.79 and 39.7 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 1981 Ericson 30+ offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 21.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The 1974 O'Day 23 has a comfort ratio of 11.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.96. The ballast ratios are 41.1% for the 1981 Ericson 30+ and 36.2% for the 1974 O'Day 23, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1981 Ericson 30+ provides 6 berths in 1 cabin with 76L of water capacity and 57L of fuel. The 1974 O'Day 23 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 15L water and 11L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1981 Ericson 30+ 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 1981 Ericson 30+ 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: 1981 Ericson 30+ · 1974 O'Day 23