1965 Bristol 35.5 vs Catalina 425 — Comparison
Catalina 425
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1965 Bristol 35.5 | Catalina 425 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Catalina |
| Year | 1965–1972 | 2013 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) | 12.95 m (42.5 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.96 m (13.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 2.06 m (6.8 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 9,616 kg (21,200 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,449 kg (5,399 lbs) | 3,719 kg (8,199 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 47.4 m² (510 ft²) | 78.0 m² (840 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 152 L (40.2 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 322 L (85.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1965 Bristol 35.5 and Catalina 425 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 is a classic design by Bristol from USA, while the Catalina 425 is a modern offering from Catalina from USA. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The Catalina 425 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 1965 Bristol 35.5 measures 10.82m (35.5ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the Catalina 425 at 12.95m (42.5ft) with a 3.96m beam. The Catalina 425 is 2.13m longer than the 1965 Bristol 35.5. The Catalina 425 displaces approximately 63% 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 Catalina 425, with an SA/D of 17.52 and 78.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Catalina 425 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 Catalina 425 has a comfort ratio of 17.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 41.5% for the 1965 Bristol 35.5 and 38.7% for the Catalina 425, 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 Catalina 425 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 322L water and 152L 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 Catalina 425 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Catalina 425 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 · Catalina 425