1995 J/80 vs 1979 O'Day 28 — Comparison
1995 J/80
1979 O'Day 28
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1995 J/80 | 1979 O'Day 28 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | J/Boats | O'Day |
| Year | 1995 | 1979–1985 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Rod Johnstone | C. Raymond Hunt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 8.00 m (26.2 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.01 m (23.0 ft) | 7.01 m (23.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.50 m (8.2 ft) | 2.84 m (9.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.49 m (4.9 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 1,360 kg (2,998 lbs) | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 499 kg (1,100 lbs) | 1,089 kg (2,401 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 32.0 m² (344 ft²) | 31.0 m² (334 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | — | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | — | 38 L (10.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | — | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 2 | 5 |
| Cabins | — | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1995 J/80 and 1979 O'Day 28 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1995 J/80 is a 1990s design by J/Boats from USA, while the 1979 O'Day 28 is a 1970s offering from O'Day from USA. The 1995 J/80 was penned by Rod Johnstone. The 1979 O'Day 28 was designed by C. Raymond Hunt.
In terms of size, the 1995 J/80 measures 8.00m (26.2ft) overall with a beam of 2.50m, compared to the 1979 O'Day 28 at 8.53m (28.0ft) with a 2.84m beam. The 1979 O'Day 28 is 0.53m longer than the 1995 J/80. The 1979 O'Day 28 displaces approximately 100% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1995 J/80 has generous sail power for spirited sailing with an SA/D ratio of 26.50 and 32.0 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 1995 J/80 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1995 J/80 offers a firm, racing-oriented motion (comfort ratio: 11.6) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.90). The 1979 O'Day 28 has a comfort ratio of 18.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.81. The ballast ratios are 36.7% for the 1995 J/80 and 40.0% for the 1979 O'Day 28, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1995 J/80 provides 2 berths with unspecified water tankage and unspecified fuel capacity. 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 1995 J/80 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1979 O'Day 28 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.