1965 Bristol 35.5 vs Beneteau First 27 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1965 Bristol 35.5 | Beneteau First 27 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Beneteau |
| Year | 1965–1972 | 1990–1994 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | Jean Berret |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) | 8.19 m (26.9 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 7.21 m (23.7 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 2.79 m (9.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.55 m (5.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,449 kg (5,399 lbs) | 850 kg (1,874 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 47.4 m² (510 ft²) | 35.0 m² (377 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 9 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 40 L (10.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 70 L (18.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1965 Bristol 35.5 and Beneteau First 27 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 is a classic design by Bristol from USA, while the Beneteau First 27 is a 1990s offering from Beneteau from France. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The Beneteau First 27 was designed by Jean Berret.
In terms of size, the 1965 Bristol 35.5 measures 10.82m (35.5ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the Beneteau First 27 at 8.19m (26.9ft) with a 2.79m beam. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 is 2.63m longer than the Beneteau First 27. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 displaces approximately 146% 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 Beneteau First 27, with an SA/D of 19.84 and 35.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 27 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 Beneteau First 27 has a comfort ratio of 16.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.83. The ballast ratios are 41.5% for the 1965 Bristol 35.5 and 35.4% for the Beneteau First 27, 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 Beneteau First 27 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 70L water and 40L 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 Beneteau First 27 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 · Beneteau First 27