Hunter 212 vs 1979 O'Day 28 — Comparison
Hunter 212
1979 O'Day 28
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 212 | 1979 O'Day 28 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | O'Day |
| Year | 2003–2008 | 1979–1985 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Glenn Henderson | C. Raymond Hunt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 6.35 m (20.8 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| LWL | 5.56 m (18.2 ft) | 7.01 m (23.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.26 m (7.4 ft) | 2.84 m (9.3 ft) |
| Draft | 0.99 m (3.2 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 680 kg (1,499 lbs) | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 168 kg (370 lbs) | 1,089 kg (2,401 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 16.0 m² (172 ft²) | 31.0 m² (334 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Centerboard | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 4 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | — | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 15 L (4.0 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 3 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hunter 212 and 1979 O'Day 28 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hunter 212 is a 2000s design by Hunter from USA, while the 1979 O'Day 28 is a 1970s offering from O'Day from USA. The Hunter 212 was penned by Glenn Henderson. The 1979 O'Day 28 was designed by C. Raymond Hunt.
In terms of size, the Hunter 212 measures 6.35m (20.8ft) overall with a beam of 2.26m, compared to the 1979 O'Day 28 at 8.53m (28.0ft) with a 2.84m beam. The 1979 O'Day 28 is 2.18m longer than the Hunter 212. The 1979 O'Day 28 displaces approximately 300% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hunter 212 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 21.04 and 16.0 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 Hunter 212 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hunter 212 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 10.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 1.03). The 1979 O'Day 28 has a comfort ratio of 18.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.81. The ballast ratios are 24.7% for the Hunter 212 and 40.0% for the 1979 O'Day 28, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hunter 212 provides 3 berths in 1 cabin with 15L of water capacity and unspecified fuel capacity. The 1979 O'Day 28 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L water and 38L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1979 O'Day 28 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 212 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1979 O'Day 28 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 212 · 1979 O'Day 28