1965 Bristol 35.5 vs Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1965 Bristol 35.5 | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1965–1972 | 2007–2013 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | Philippe Briand |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) | 12.04 m (39.5 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 10.50 m (34.4 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.85 m (12.6 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 7,800 kg (17,196 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,449 kg (5,399 lbs) | 2,350 kg (5,181 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 47.4 m² (510 ft²) | 68.0 m² (732 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1965 Bristol 35.5 and Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 is a classic design by Bristol from USA, while the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i is a 2000s offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i was designed by Philippe Briand.
In terms of size, the 1965 Bristol 35.5 measures 10.82m (35.5ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i at 12.04m (39.5ft) with a 3.85m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i is 1.22m longer than the 1965 Bristol 35.5. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i displaces approximately 32% 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i, with an SA/D of 17.56 and 68.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i has a comfort ratio of 16.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 41.5% for the 1965 Bristol 35.5 and 30.1% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i, 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 300L 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i 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 · Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39i