1965 Bristol 35.5 vs Hunter 380 — Comparison
Hunter 380
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1965 Bristol 35.5 | Hunter 380 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Hunter |
| Year | 1965–1972 | 2001–2005 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | Glenn Henderson |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 7,257 kg (15,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,449 kg (5,399 lbs) | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 47.4 m² (510 ft²) | 64.0 m² (689 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1965 Bristol 35.5 and Hunter 380 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 is a classic design by Bristol from USA, while the Hunter 380 is a 2000s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The Hunter 380 was designed by Glenn Henderson.
In terms of size, the 1965 Bristol 35.5 measures 10.82m (35.5ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the Hunter 380 at 11.58m (38.0ft) with a 3.76m beam. The Hunter 380 is 0.76m longer than the 1965 Bristol 35.5. The Hunter 380 displaces approximately 23% 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 Hunter 380, with an SA/D of 17.35 and 64.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 380 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 Hunter 380 has a comfort ratio of 17.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 41.5% for the 1965 Bristol 35.5 and 37.5% for the Hunter 380, 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 Hunter 380 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 227L water and 114L 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 Hunter 380 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Hunter 380 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
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Or view individual specs: 1965 Bristol 35.5 · Hunter 380