1965 Bristol 35.5 vs 1984 Ericson 38 — Comparison
1984 Ericson 38
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1965 Bristol 35.5 | 1984 Ericson 38 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Ericson |
| Year | 1965–1972 | 1984–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | Bruce King / Ron Holland |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 7,484 kg (16,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,449 kg (5,399 lbs) | 3,175 kg (7,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 47.4 m² (510 ft²) | 60.0 m² (646 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 30 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1965 Bristol 35.5 and 1984 Ericson 38 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 is a classic design by Bristol from USA, while the 1984 Ericson 38 is a 1980s offering from Ericson from USA. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The 1984 Ericson 38 was designed by Bruce King / Ron Holland.
In terms of size, the 1965 Bristol 35.5 measures 10.82m (35.5ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the 1984 Ericson 38 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1984 Ericson 38 is 0.76m longer than the 1965 Bristol 35.5. The 1984 Ericson 38 displaces approximately 27% 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 1984 Ericson 38, with an SA/D of 15.93 and 60.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1984 Ericson 38 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 1984 Ericson 38 has a comfort ratio of 20.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 41.5% for the 1965 Bristol 35.5 and 42.4% for the 1984 Ericson 38, 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 1984 Ericson 38 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 200L water and 114L 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 1984 Ericson 38 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1984 Ericson 38 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
Compare Different Boats
Looking for a different matchup? Browse All Boats
Or view individual specs: 1965 Bristol 35.5 · 1984 Ericson 38