1965 Bristol 35.5 vs 2003 Dehler 42 DS — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1965 Bristol 35.5 | 2003 Dehler 42 DS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Dehler |
| Year | 1965–1972 | 2003–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) | 12.77 m (41.9 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 11.20 m (36.7 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.93 m (12.9 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 8,800 kg (19,401 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,449 kg (5,399 lbs) | 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 47.4 m² (510 ft²) | 78.0 m² (840 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1965 Bristol 35.5 and 2003 Dehler 42 DS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 is a classic design by Bristol from USA, while the 2003 Dehler 42 DS is a 2000s offering from Dehler from Germany. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The 2003 Dehler 42 DS was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
In terms of size, the 1965 Bristol 35.5 measures 10.82m (35.5ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the 2003 Dehler 42 DS at 12.77m (41.9ft) with a 3.93m beam. The 2003 Dehler 42 DS is 1.95m longer than the 1965 Bristol 35.5. The 2003 Dehler 42 DS displaces approximately 49% 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 2003 Dehler 42 DS, with an SA/D of 18.59 and 78.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2003 Dehler 42 DS 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 2003 Dehler 42 DS has a comfort ratio of 16.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 41.5% for the 1965 Bristol 35.5 and 34.1% for the 2003 Dehler 42 DS, 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 2003 Dehler 42 DS offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 200L water and 100L 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 2003 Dehler 42 DS has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2003 Dehler 42 DS 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 · 2003 Dehler 42 DS