1965 Bristol 35.5 vs 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1965 Bristol 35.5 | 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Valiant |
| Year | 1965–1972 | 1988–1996 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | Bob Perry |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.47 m (11.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 7,257 kg (15,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,449 kg (5,399 lbs) | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 47.4 m² (510 ft²) | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Modified full |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 132 L (34.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 246 L (65.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1965 Bristol 35.5 and 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 is a classic design by Bristol from USA, while the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 is a 1980s offering from Valiant from USA. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 was designed by Bob Perry.
In terms of size, the 1965 Bristol 35.5 measures 10.82m (35.5ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 at 11.28m (37.0ft) with a 3.47m beam. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 is 0.46m longer than the 1965 Bristol 35.5. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 displaces approximately 23% 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 1988 Valiant Esprit 37, with an SA/D of 15.72 and 58.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 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 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 has a comfort ratio of 22.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 41.5% for the 1965 Bristol 35.5 and 40.6% for the 1988 Valiant Esprit 37, 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 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 246L water and 132L 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 1988 Valiant Esprit 37 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for 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 · 1988 Valiant Esprit 37