1965 Bristol 35.5 vs Bavaria 40 — Comparison
Bavaria 40
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1965 Bristol 35.5 | Bavaria 40 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Bavaria |
| Year | 1965–1972 | 2001–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | J&J Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) | 12.35 m (40.5 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 10.75 m (35.3 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.99 m (13.1 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 8,500 kg (18,739 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,449 kg (5,399 lbs) | 2,600 kg (5,732 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 47.4 m² (510 ft²) | 72.0 m² (775 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1965 Bristol 35.5 and Bavaria 40 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 is a classic design by Bristol from USA, while the Bavaria 40 is a 2000s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The Bavaria 40 was designed by J&J 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 Bavaria 40 at 12.35m (40.5ft) with a 3.99m beam. The Bavaria 40 is 1.53m longer than the 1965 Bristol 35.5. The Bavaria 40 displaces approximately 44% 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 Bavaria 40, with an SA/D of 17.56 and 72.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Bavaria 40 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 Bavaria 40 has a comfort ratio of 16.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 41.5% for the 1965 Bristol 35.5 and 30.6% for the Bavaria 40, 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 Bavaria 40 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 300L water and 160L 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 Bavaria 40 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Bavaria 40 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 · Bavaria 40