Hunter 280 vs 1974 O'Day 23 — Comparison
Hunter 280
1974 O'Day 23
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 280 | 1974 O'Day 23 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | O'Day |
| Year | 1998–2003 | 1974–1983 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | C. Raymond Hunt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 6.93 m (22.7 ft) |
| LWL | 7.47 m (24.5 ft) | 5.79 m (19.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.82 m (9.3 ft) | 2.24 m (7.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.02 m (3.3 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,585 kg (5,699 lbs) | 816 kg (1,799 lbs) |
| Ballast | 998 kg (2,200 lbs) | 295 kg (650 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 34.0 m² (366 ft²) | 17.5 m² (188 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 5 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 11 L (2.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 15 L (4.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hunter 280 and 1974 O'Day 23 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hunter 280 is a 1990s design by Hunter from USA, while the 1974 O'Day 23 is a 1970s offering from O'Day from USA. The Hunter 280 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The 1974 O'Day 23 was designed by C. Raymond Hunt.
In terms of size, the Hunter 280 measures 8.53m (28.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.82m, compared to the 1974 O'Day 23 at 6.93m (22.7ft) with a 2.24m beam. The Hunter 280 is 1.60m longer than the 1974 O'Day 23. The Hunter 280 displaces approximately 217% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hunter 280 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.35 and 34.0 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 Hunter 280 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.82). The 1974 O'Day 23 has a comfort ratio of 11.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.96. The ballast ratios are 38.6% for the Hunter 280 and 36.2% for the 1974 O'Day 23, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hunter 280 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L of water capacity and 45L of fuel. The 1974 O'Day 23 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 15L water and 11L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The Hunter 280 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 Hunter 280 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: Hunter 280 · 1974 O'Day 23