1979 O'Day 28 vs 1983 Freedom 36 — Comparison
1979 O'Day 28
1983 Freedom 36
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1979 O'Day 28 | 1983 Freedom 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | O'Day | Freedom |
| Year | 1979–1985 | 1983–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | C. Raymond Hunt | Garry Hoyt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 10.97 m (36.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.01 m (23.0 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.84 m (9.3 ft) | 3.51 m (11.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) | 6,123 kg (13,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,089 kg (2,401 lbs) | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 31.0 m² (334 ft²) | 49.0 m² (527 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 10 HP | 25 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 38 L (10.0 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 190 L (50.2 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1979 O'Day 28 and 1983 Freedom 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1979 O'Day 28 is a 1970s design by O'Day from USA, while the 1983 Freedom 36 is a 1980s offering from Freedom from USA. The 1979 O'Day 28 was penned by C. Raymond Hunt. The 1983 Freedom 36 was designed by Garry Hoyt.
In terms of size, the 1979 O'Day 28 measures 8.53m (28.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.84m, compared to the 1983 Freedom 36 at 10.97m (36.0ft) with a 3.51m beam. The 1983 Freedom 36 is 2.44m longer than the 1979 O'Day 28. The 1983 Freedom 36 displaces approximately 125% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1979 O'Day 28 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.16 and 31.0 m² of sail area. The 1983 Freedom 36, with an SA/D of 14.88 and 49.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1979 O'Day 28 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1979 O'Day 28 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.7) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.81). The 1983 Freedom 36 has a comfort ratio of 18.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 40.0% for the 1979 O'Day 28 and 37.0% for the 1983 Freedom 36, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1979 O'Day 28 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 57L of water capacity and 38L of fuel. The 1983 Freedom 36 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 190L water and 95L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1983 Freedom 36 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 1983 Freedom 36 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: 1979 O'Day 28 · 1983 Freedom 36