1965 Bristol 35.5 vs Catalina 42 MkII — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1965 Bristol 35.5 | Catalina 42 MkII |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Catalina |
| Year | 1965–1972 | 2003–2009 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) | 12.80 m (42.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 11.10 m (36.4 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 9,525 kg (20,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,449 kg (5,399 lbs) | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 47.4 m² (510 ft²) | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 152 L (40.2 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 303 L (80.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1965 Bristol 35.5 and Catalina 42 MkII represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 is a classic design by Bristol from USA, while the Catalina 42 MkII is a 2000s offering from Catalina from USA. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The Catalina 42 MkII was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 1965 Bristol 35.5 measures 10.82m (35.5ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the Catalina 42 MkII at 12.80m (42.0ft) with a 3.96m beam. The Catalina 42 MkII is 1.98m longer than the 1965 Bristol 35.5. The Catalina 42 MkII displaces approximately 62% 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 Catalina 42 MkII, with an SA/D of 17.18 and 76.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Catalina 42 MkII 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 Catalina 42 MkII has a comfort ratio of 17.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 41.5% for the 1965 Bristol 35.5 and 38.1% for the Catalina 42 MkII, 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 Catalina 42 MkII offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 303L water and 152L 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 Catalina 42 MkII has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Catalina 42 MkII 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 · Catalina 42 MkII