1965 Bristol 35.5 vs 1996 Moody 45 — Comparison
1996 Moody 45
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1965 Bristol 35.5 | 1996 Moody 45 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Moody |
| Year | 1965–1972 | 1996–2002 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | UK |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | Bill Dixon |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) | 13.72 m (45.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 4.22 m (13.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 12,500 kg (27,558 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,449 kg (5,399 lbs) | 4,900 kg (10,803 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 47.4 m² (510 ft²) | 85.0 m² (915 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 450 L (118.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1965 Bristol 35.5 and 1996 Moody 45 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 is a classic design by Bristol from USA, while the 1996 Moody 45 is a 1990s offering from Moody from UK. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The 1996 Moody 45 was designed by Bill Dixon.
In terms of size, the 1965 Bristol 35.5 measures 10.82m (35.5ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the 1996 Moody 45 at 13.72m (45.0ft) with a 4.22m beam. The 1996 Moody 45 is 2.90m longer than the 1965 Bristol 35.5. The 1996 Moody 45 displaces approximately 112% 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 1996 Moody 45, with an SA/D of 16.03 and 85.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1996 Moody 45 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 1996 Moody 45 has a comfort ratio of 19.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 41.5% for the 1965 Bristol 35.5 and 39.2% for the 1996 Moody 45, 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 1996 Moody 45 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 450L water and 250L 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 1996 Moody 45 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1996 Moody 45 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
Compare Different Boats
Looking for a different matchup? Browse All Boats
Or view individual specs: 1965 Bristol 35.5 · 1996 Moody 45