1965 Bristol 35.5 vs 2013 Elan 350 — Comparison
1965 Bristol 35.5
2013 Elan 350
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1965 Bristol 35.5 | 2013 Elan 350 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Elan |
| Year | 1965–1972 | 2013–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Slovenia |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) | 10.67 m (35.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 9.30 m (30.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.46 m (11.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 6,100 kg (13,448 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,449 kg (5,399 lbs) | 1,850 kg (4,079 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) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1965 Bristol 35.5 and 2013 Elan 350 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 is a classic design by Bristol from USA, while the 2013 Elan 350 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The 2013 Elan 350 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 1965 Bristol 35.5 measures 10.82m (35.5ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the 2013 Elan 350 at 10.67m (35.0ft) with a 3.46m beam. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 is 0.15m longer than the 2013 Elan 350. The 2013 Elan 350 displaces approximately 3% 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 2013 Elan 350, with an SA/D of 17.65 and 58.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2013 Elan 350 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 2013 Elan 350 has a comfort ratio of 19.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 41.5% for the 1965 Bristol 35.5 and 30.3% for the 2013 Elan 350, 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 2013 Elan 350 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L 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 2013 Elan 350 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.