Hunter 33 vs 1979 O'Day 28 — Comparison
Hunter 33
1979 O'Day 28
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | Hunter 33 | 1979 O'Day 28 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Hunter | O'Day |
| Year | 1988–1994 | 1979–1985 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Hunter Design Team | C. Raymond Hunt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) | 7.01 m (23.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) | 2.84 m (9.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,763 kg (10,501 lbs) | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) | 1,089 kg (2,401 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 48.0 m² (517 ft²) | 31.0 m² (334 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 21 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 151 L (39.9 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The Hunter 33 and 1979 O'Day 28 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The Hunter 33 is a 1980s design by Hunter from USA, while the 1979 O'Day 28 is a 1970s offering from O'Day from USA. The Hunter 33 was penned by Hunter Design Team. The 1979 O'Day 28 was designed by C. Raymond Hunt.
In terms of size, the Hunter 33 measures 10.06m (33.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.35m, compared to the 1979 O'Day 28 at 8.53m (28.0ft) with a 2.84m beam. The Hunter 33 is 1.53m longer than the 1979 O'Day 28. The Hunter 33 displaces approximately 75% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the Hunter 33 has good sail power for versatile performance with an SA/D ratio of 17.23 and 48.0 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 33 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the Hunter 33 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 18.1) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.80). The 1979 O'Day 28 has a comfort ratio of 18.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.81. The ballast ratios are 38.1% for the Hunter 33 and 40.0% for the 1979 O'Day 28, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the Hunter 33 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 151L of water capacity and 76L of fuel. 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 33 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Hunter 33 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.