1965 Bristol 35.5 vs Catalina 34 MkII — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1965 Bristol 35.5 | Catalina 34 MkII |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Catalina |
| Year | 1965–1972 | 1995–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,449 kg (5,399 lbs) | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 47.4 m² (510 ft²) | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1965 Bristol 35.5 and Catalina 34 MkII represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 is a classic design by Bristol from USA, while the Catalina 34 MkII is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The Catalina 34 MkII was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 1965 Bristol 35.5 measures 10.82m (35.5ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the Catalina 34 MkII at 10.36m (34.0ft) with a 3.40m beam. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 is 0.46m longer than the Catalina 34 MkII. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 displaces approximately 8% 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 Catalina 34 MkII, with an SA/D of 17.08 and 52.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Catalina 34 MkII 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 Catalina 34 MkII has a comfort ratio of 18.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 41.5% for the 1965 Bristol 35.5 and 37.5% for the Catalina 34 MkII, 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 Catalina 34 MkII offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 151L water and 76L 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 Catalina 34 MkII 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 · Catalina 34 MkII