1965 Bristol 35.5 vs Bavaria Cruiser 36 — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1965 Bristol 35.5 | Bavaria Cruiser 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Bavaria |
| Year | 1965–1972 | 2012–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) | 11.30 m (37.1 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 9.80 m (32.2 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.57 m (11.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 6,400 kg (14,110 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,449 kg (5,399 lbs) | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 47.4 m² (510 ft²) | 58.0 m² (624 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 110 L (29.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 210 L (55.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1965 Bristol 35.5 and Bavaria Cruiser 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 is a classic design by Bristol from USA, while the Bavaria Cruiser 36 is a modern offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 was designed by Farr Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the 1965 Bristol 35.5 measures 10.82m (35.5ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the Bavaria Cruiser 36 at 11.30m (37.1ft) with a 3.57m beam. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 is 0.48m longer than the 1965 Bristol 35.5. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 displaces approximately 9% 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 Bavaria Cruiser 36, with an SA/D of 17.10 and 58.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Bavaria Cruiser 36 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 Bavaria Cruiser 36 has a comfort ratio of 17.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 41.5% for the 1965 Bristol 35.5 and 31.3% for the Bavaria Cruiser 36, 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 Bavaria Cruiser 36 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 210L water and 110L 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 Bavaria Cruiser 36 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 · Bavaria Cruiser 36