1979 O'Day 25 vs 1976 Ericson 29 — Comparison
1979 O'Day 25
1976 Ericson 29
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1979 O'Day 25 | 1976 Ericson 29 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | O'Day | Ericson |
| Year | 1979–1984 | 1976–1983 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | C. Raymond Hunt | Bruce King |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 8.84 m (29.0 ft) |
| LWL | 6.25 m (20.5 ft) | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.74 m (9.0 ft) | 2.84 m (9.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,769 kg (3,900 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 726 kg (1,601 lbs) | 1,361 kg (3,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 27.2 m² (293 ft²) | 34.0 m² (366 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 7 HP | 13 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 30 L (7.9 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 45 L (11.9 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1979 O'Day 25 and 1976 Ericson 29 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1979 O'Day 25 is a 1970s design by O'Day from USA, while the 1976 Ericson 29 is a 1970s offering from Ericson from USA. The 1979 O'Day 25 was penned by C. Raymond Hunt. The 1976 Ericson 29 was designed by Bruce King.
In terms of size, the 1979 O'Day 25 measures 7.62m (25.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.74m, compared to the 1976 Ericson 29 at 8.84m (29.0ft) with a 2.84m beam. The 1976 Ericson 29 is 1.22m longer than the 1979 O'Day 25. The 1976 Ericson 29 displaces approximately 79% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1979 O'Day 25 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 18.90 and 27.2 m² of sail area. The 1976 Ericson 29, with an SA/D of 15.99 and 34.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1979 O'Day 25 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1979 O'Day 25 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 16.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.91). The 1976 Ericson 29 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 41.0% for the 1979 O'Day 25 and 42.9% for the 1976 Ericson 29, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1979 O'Day 25 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 45L of water capacity and 30L of fuel. The 1976 Ericson 29 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1976 Ericson 29 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 25 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.