1965 Bristol 35.5 vs 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 — Comparison
1965 Bristol 35.5
2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1965 Bristol 35.5 | 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Beneteau |
| Year | 1965–1972 | 2009–2013 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | Finot-Conq |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) | 10.44 m (34.3 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 9.20 m (30.2 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.42 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 5,550 kg (12,236 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,449 kg (5,399 lbs) | 1,600 kg (3,527 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 47.4 m² (510 ft²) | 51.0 m² (549 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1965 Bristol 35.5 and 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 is a classic design by Bristol from USA, while the 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 is a 2000s offering from Beneteau from France. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 was designed by Finot-Conq.
In terms of size, the 1965 Bristol 35.5 measures 10.82m (35.5ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 at 10.44m (34.3ft) with a 3.42m beam. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 is 0.38m longer than the 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 displaces approximately 6% 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 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34, with an SA/D of 16.53 and 51.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 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 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 has a comfort ratio of 18.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 41.5% for the 1965 Bristol 35.5 and 28.8% for the 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34, 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 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 150L water and 80L 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 2009 Beneteau Oceanis 34 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.