1965 Bristol 35.5 vs 1997 Tartan 3700 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1965 Bristol 35.5 | 1997 Tartan 3700 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Tartan |
| Year | 1965–1972 | 1997–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | Tim Jackett |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.66 m (12.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.98 m (6.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 7,031 kg (15,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,449 kg (5,399 lbs) | 2,948 kg (6,499 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 47.4 m² (510 ft²) | 62.0 m² (667 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 130 L (34.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 220 L (58.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1965 Bristol 35.5 and 1997 Tartan 3700 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 is a classic design by Bristol from USA, while the 1997 Tartan 3700 is a 1990s offering from Tartan from USA. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The 1997 Tartan 3700 was designed by Tim Jackett.
In terms of size, the 1965 Bristol 35.5 measures 10.82m (35.5ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the 1997 Tartan 3700 at 11.28m (37.0ft) with a 3.66m beam. The 1997 Tartan 3700 is 0.46m longer than the 1965 Bristol 35.5. The 1997 Tartan 3700 displaces approximately 19% 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 1997 Tartan 3700, with an SA/D of 17.16 and 62.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1997 Tartan 3700 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 1997 Tartan 3700 has a comfort ratio of 18.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 41.5% for the 1965 Bristol 35.5 and 41.9% for the 1997 Tartan 3700, 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 1997 Tartan 3700 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 220L water and 130L 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 1997 Tartan 3700 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 · 1997 Tartan 3700