1965 Bristol 35.5 vs Dufour 45E — Comparison
Dufour 45E
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1965 Bristol 35.5 | Dufour 45E |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Dufour |
| Year | 1965–1972 | 2008–2011 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) | 13.80 m (45.3 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 11.90 m (39.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 4.20 m (13.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 10,500 kg (23,149 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,449 kg (5,399 lbs) | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 47.4 m² (510 ft²) | 88.0 m² (947 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) | 380 L (100.4 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1965 Bristol 35.5 and Dufour 45E represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 is a classic design by Bristol from USA, while the Dufour 45E is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The Dufour 45E was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the 1965 Bristol 35.5 measures 10.82m (35.5ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the Dufour 45E at 13.80m (45.3ft) with a 4.20m beam. The Dufour 45E is 2.98m longer than the 1965 Bristol 35.5. The Dufour 45E displaces approximately 78% 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 Dufour 45E, with an SA/D of 18.64 and 88.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Dufour 45E 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 Dufour 45E has a comfort ratio of 15.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 41.5% for the 1965 Bristol 35.5 and 30.5% for the Dufour 45E, 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 Dufour 45E offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 380L 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 Dufour 45E has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Dufour 45E 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 · Dufour 45E