1965 Bristol 35.5 vs 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1965 Bristol 35.5 | 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Hallberg-Rassy |
| Year | 1965–1972 | 2005–2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Sweden |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | German Frers |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) | 11.25 m (36.9 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 9.60 m (31.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.52 m (11.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 7,500 kg (16,535 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,449 kg (5,399 lbs) | 3,000 kg (6,614 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 47.4 m² (510 ft²) | 62.0 m² (667 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) | 280 L (74.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1965 Bristol 35.5 and 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 is a classic design by Bristol from USA, while the 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 is a 2000s offering from Hallberg-Rassy from Sweden. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 was designed by German Frers.
In terms of size, the 1965 Bristol 35.5 measures 10.82m (35.5ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 at 11.25m (36.9ft) with a 3.52m beam. The 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 is 0.43m longer than the 1965 Bristol 35.5. The 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 displaces approximately 27% 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 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37, with an SA/D of 16.44 and 62.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 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 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 has a comfort ratio of 21.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 41.5% for the 1965 Bristol 35.5 and 40.0% for the 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37, 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 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 280L 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 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for 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 · 2005 Hallberg-Rassy 37