1977 Cal 33 vs 1979 O'Day 28 — Comparison
1977 Cal 33
1979 O'Day 28
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1977 Cal 33 | 1979 O'Day 28 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Cal | O'Day |
| Year | 1977–1982 | 1979–1985 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Bill Lapworth / C. Raymond Hunt | C. Raymond Hunt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) | 7.01 m (23.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) | 2.84 m (9.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,216 kg (11,499 lbs) | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) | 1,089 kg (2,401 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 43.0 m² (463 ft²) | 31.0 m² (334 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 68 L (18.0 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1977 Cal 33 and 1979 O'Day 28 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1977 Cal 33 is a 1970s design by Cal from USA, while the 1979 O'Day 28 is a 1970s offering from O'Day from USA. The 1977 Cal 33 was penned by Bill Lapworth / C. Raymond Hunt. The 1979 O'Day 28 was designed by C. Raymond Hunt.
In terms of size, the 1977 Cal 33 measures 10.06m (33.0ft) 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 1977 Cal 33 is 1.53m longer than the 1979 O'Day 28. The 1977 Cal 33 displaces approximately 92% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1977 Cal 33 has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.53 and 43.0 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 1979 O'Day 28 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1977 Cal 33 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.74). The 1979 O'Day 28 has a comfort ratio of 18.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.81. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1977 Cal 33 and 40.0% for the 1979 O'Day 28, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1977 Cal 33 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 68L of fuel. The 1979 O'Day 28 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L water and 38L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1977 Cal 33 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 1979 O'Day 28 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1977 Cal 33 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.