1965 Bristol 35.5 vs Beneteau First 44.7 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1965 Bristol 35.5 | Beneteau First 44.7 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Beneteau |
| Year | 1965–1972 | 1999–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) | 13.48 m (44.2 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 11.60 m (38.1 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 4.12 m (13.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 9,200 kg (20,283 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,449 kg (5,399 lbs) | 3,300 kg (7,275 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 47.4 m² (510 ft²) | 90.0 m² (969 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1965 Bristol 35.5 and Beneteau First 44.7 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 is a classic design by Bristol from USA, while the Beneteau First 44.7 is a 1990s offering from Beneteau from France. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The Beneteau First 44.7 was designed by Farr Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the 1965 Bristol 35.5 measures 10.82m (35.5ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the Beneteau First 44.7 at 13.48m (44.2ft) with a 4.12m beam. The Beneteau First 44.7 is 2.66m longer than the 1965 Bristol 35.5. The Beneteau First 44.7 displaces approximately 56% 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 Beneteau First 44.7, with an SA/D of 20.82 and 90.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Beneteau First 44.7 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 Beneteau First 44.7 has a comfort ratio of 14.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 41.5% for the 1965 Bristol 35.5 and 35.9% for the Beneteau First 44.7, 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 Beneteau First 44.7 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 200L 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 Beneteau First 44.7 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Beneteau First 44.7 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 · Beneteau First 44.7