1965 Bristol 35.5 vs 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1965 Bristol 35.5 | 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Hallberg-Rassy |
| Year | 1965–1972 | 1986–1995 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Sweden |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 10.20 m (33.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.90 m (12.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 10,500 kg (23,149 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,449 kg (5,399 lbs) | 4,200 kg (9,259 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 47.4 m² (510 ft²) | 78.0 m² (840 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 400 L (105.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1965 Bristol 35.5 and 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 is a classic design by Bristol from USA, while the 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F is a 1980s offering from Hallberg-Rassy from Sweden. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F was designed by German Frers.
In terms of size, the 1965 Bristol 35.5 measures 10.82m (35.5ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F at 12.80m (42.0ft) with a 3.90m beam. The 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F is 1.98m longer than the 1965 Bristol 35.5. The 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F displaces approximately 78% 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 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F, with an SA/D of 16.52 and 78.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F 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 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F has a comfort ratio of 21.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 41.5% for the 1965 Bristol 35.5 and 40.0% for the 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F, 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 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 400L water and 200L 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 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F 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 · 1986 Hallberg-Rassy 42F