1969 O'Day 22 vs 1978 Cape Dory 270 — Comparison
1969 O'Day 22
1978 Cape Dory 270
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1969 O'Day 22 | 1978 Cape Dory 270 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | O'Day | Cape Dory |
| Year | 1969–1983 | 1978–1985 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | C. Raymond Hunt | Carl Alberg |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 6.71 m (22.0 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| LWL | 5.72 m (18.8 ft) | 6.40 m (21.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.29 m (7.5 ft) | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) |
| Draft | 0.99 m (3.2 ft) | 1.14 m (3.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 862 kg (1,900 lbs) | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 318 kg (701 lbs) | 1,134 kg (2,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 17.7 m² (191 ft²) | 28.0 m² (301 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 6 HP | 12 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 15 L (4.0 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 19 L (5.0 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 4 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1969 O'Day 22 and 1978 Cape Dory 270 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1969 O'Day 22 is a classic design by O'Day from USA, while the 1978 Cape Dory 270 is a 1970s offering from Cape Dory from USA. The 1969 O'Day 22 was penned by C. Raymond Hunt. The 1978 Cape Dory 270 was designed by Carl Alberg.
In terms of size, the 1969 O'Day 22 measures 6.71m (22.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.29m, compared to the 1978 Cape Dory 270 at 8.23m (27.0ft) with a 2.59m beam. The 1978 Cape Dory 270 is 1.52m longer than the 1969 O'Day 22. The 1978 Cape Dory 270 displaces approximately 216% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1969 O'Day 22 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 19.87 and 17.7 m² of sail area. The 1978 Cape Dory 270, with an SA/D of 14.60 and 28.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1969 O'Day 22 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1969 O'Day 22 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 12.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.96). The 1978 Cape Dory 270 has a comfort ratio of 24.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 36.9% for the 1969 O'Day 22 and 41.7% for the 1978 Cape Dory 270, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1969 O'Day 22 provides 4 berths in 1 cabin with 19L of water capacity and 15L of fuel. The 1978 Cape Dory 270 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 68L water and 38L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1978 Cape Dory 270 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 1969 O'Day 22 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.