1965 Bristol 35.5 vs 1978 Sabre 30 — Comparison
1978 Sabre 30
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1965 Bristol 35.5 | 1978 Sabre 30 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Sabre |
| Year | 1965–1972 | 1978–1985 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | Roger Hewson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 7.47 m (24.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,449 kg (5,399 lbs) | 1,451 kg (3,199 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 47.4 m² (510 ft²) | 37.0 m² (398 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1965 Bristol 35.5 and 1978 Sabre 30 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 is a classic design by Bristol from USA, while the 1978 Sabre 30 is a 1970s offering from Sabre from USA. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The 1978 Sabre 30 was designed by Roger Hewson.
In terms of size, the 1965 Bristol 35.5 measures 10.82m (35.5ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the 1978 Sabre 30 at 9.14m (30.0ft) with a 2.97m beam. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 is 1.68m longer than the 1978 Sabre 30. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 displaces approximately 62% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1965 Bristol 35.5 has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.75 and 47.4 m² of sail area. The 1978 Sabre 30, with an SA/D of 15.92 and 37.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1978 Sabre 30 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1965 Bristol 35.5 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 28.9) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.66). The 1978 Sabre 30 has a comfort ratio of 20.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 41.5% for the 1965 Bristol 35.5 and 40.0% for the 1978 Sabre 30, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1965 Bristol 35.5 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L of water capacity and 57L of fuel. The 1978 Sabre 30 offers 5 berths in 2 cabins with 76L water and 45L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1965 Bristol 35.5 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 1978 Sabre 30 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1965 Bristol 35.5 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: 1965 Bristol 35.5 · 1978 Sabre 30