1965 Bristol 35.5 vs 1991 Westerly Seahawk — Comparison
1991 Westerly Seahawk
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1965 Bristol 35.5 | 1991 Westerly Seahawk |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Westerly |
| Year | 1965–1972 | 1991–1997 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | UK |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 6,123 kg (13,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,449 kg (5,399 lbs) | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 47.4 m² (510 ft²) | 48.0 m² (517 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 220 L (58.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1965 Bristol 35.5 and 1991 Westerly Seahawk represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 is a classic design by Bristol from USA, while the 1991 Westerly Seahawk is a 1990s offering from Westerly from UK. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The 1991 Westerly Seahawk was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the 1965 Bristol 35.5 measures 10.82m (35.5ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the 1991 Westerly Seahawk at 10.36m (34.0ft) with a 3.35m beam. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 is 0.46m longer than the 1991 Westerly Seahawk. The 1991 Westerly Seahawk displaces approximately 4% 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 1991 Westerly Seahawk, with an SA/D of 14.57 and 48.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 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 1991 Westerly Seahawk has a comfort ratio of 22.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 41.5% for the 1965 Bristol 35.5 and 40.8% for the 1991 Westerly Seahawk, 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 1991 Westerly Seahawk offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 220L 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 1965 Bristol 35.5 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1991 Westerly Seahawk 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 · 1991 Westerly Seahawk