1965 Bristol 35.5 vs 1998 Dehler 29 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1965 Bristol 35.5 | 1998 Dehler 29 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Dehler |
| Year | 1965–1972 | 1998–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) | 8.82 m (28.9 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 7.60 m (24.9 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 2.95 m (9.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.55 m (5.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,449 kg (5,399 lbs) | 1,200 kg (2,646 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 | 14 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 40 L (10.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1965 Bristol 35.5 and 1998 Dehler 29 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 is a classic design by Bristol from USA, while the 1998 Dehler 29 is a 1990s offering from Dehler from Germany. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The 1998 Dehler 29 was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
In terms of size, the 1965 Bristol 35.5 measures 10.82m (35.5ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the 1998 Dehler 29 at 8.82m (28.9ft) with a 2.95m beam. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 is 2.00m longer than the 1998 Dehler 29. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 displaces approximately 84% 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 1998 Dehler 29, with an SA/D of 16.38 and 35.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1998 Dehler 29 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 1998 Dehler 29 has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.80. The ballast ratios are 41.5% for the 1965 Bristol 35.5 and 37.5% for the 1998 Dehler 29, 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 1998 Dehler 29 offers 5 berths in 2 cabins with 80L 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 1998 Dehler 29 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 · 1998 Dehler 29