1965 Bristol 35.5 vs Bavaria 42 — Comparison
Bavaria 42
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1965 Bristol 35.5 | Bavaria 42 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Bavaria |
| Year | 1965–1972 | 2003–2008 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | J&J Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) | 12.99 m (42.6 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 11.29 m (37.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 4.06 m (13.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 9,300 kg (20,503 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,449 kg (5,399 lbs) | 2,900 kg (6,393 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 47.4 m² (510 ft²) | 79.0 m² (850 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 Bavaria 42 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 is a classic design by Bristol from USA, while the Bavaria 42 is a 2000s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The Bavaria 42 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 42 at 12.99m (42.6ft) with a 4.06m beam. The Bavaria 42 is 2.17m longer than the 1965 Bristol 35.5. The Bavaria 42 displaces approximately 58% 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 42, with an SA/D of 18.15 and 79.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Bavaria 42 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 42 has a comfort ratio of 15.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 41.5% for the 1965 Bristol 35.5 and 31.2% for the Bavaria 42, 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 42 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 Bavaria 42 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 42 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 42