Dufour 32 Classic vs 1979 O'Day 28 — Comparison
1979 O'Day 28
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Dufour 32 Classic | 1979 O'Day 28 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Dufour | O'Day |
| Year | 1995–2002 | 1979–1985 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | France | USA |
| Designer | Umberto Felci | C. Raymond Hunt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.70 m (31.8 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.40 m (27.6 ft) | 7.01 m (23.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) | 2.84 m (9.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,500 kg (9,921 lbs) | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) | 1,089 kg (2,401 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 45.0 m² (484 ft²) | 31.0 m² (334 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 80 L (21.1 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 150 L (39.6 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Dufour 32 Classic and 1979 O'Day 28 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Dufour 32 Classic is a 1990s design by Dufour from France, while the 1979 O'Day 28 is a 1970s offering from O'Day from USA. The Dufour 32 Classic was penned by Umberto Felci. The 1979 O'Day 28 was designed by C. Raymond Hunt.
In terms of size, the Dufour 32 Classic measures 9.70m (31.8ft) overall with a beam of 3.20m, compared to the 1979 O'Day 28 at 8.53m (28.0ft) with a 2.84m beam. The Dufour 32 Classic is 1.17m longer than the 1979 O'Day 28. The Dufour 32 Classic displaces approximately 65% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Dufour 32 Classic has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.78 and 45.0 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 Dufour 32 Classic has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Dufour 32 Classic offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 19.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.78). The 1979 O'Day 28 has a comfort ratio of 18.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.81. The ballast ratios are 31.1% for the Dufour 32 Classic and 40.0% for the 1979 O'Day 28, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Dufour 32 Classic provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 150L of water capacity and 80L of fuel. The 1979 O'Day 28 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L water and 38L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Dufour 32 Classic 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 Dufour 32 Classic has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Dufour 32 Classic 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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