1965 Bristol 35.5 vs 2016 Dehler 36 SQ — Comparison
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1965 Bristol 35.5 | 2016 Dehler 36 SQ |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Dehler |
| Year | 1965–1972 | 2016 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) | 10.85 m (35.6 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 9.85 m (32.3 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.40 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 2.00 m (6.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,449 kg (5,399 lbs) | 1,800 kg (3,968 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 47.4 m² (510 ft²) | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 55 L (14.5 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1965 Bristol 35.5 and 2016 Dehler 36 SQ represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 is a classic design by Bristol from USA, while the 2016 Dehler 36 SQ is a modern offering from Dehler from Germany. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The 2016 Dehler 36 SQ was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
In terms of size, the 1965 Bristol 35.5 measures 10.82m (35.5ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the 2016 Dehler 36 SQ at 10.85m (35.6ft) with a 3.40m beam. The 2016 Dehler 36 SQ is 0.03m longer than the 1965 Bristol 35.5. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 displaces approximately 7% 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 2016 Dehler 36 SQ, with an SA/D of 18.59 and 57.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2016 Dehler 36 SQ 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 2016 Dehler 36 SQ has a comfort ratio of 16.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 41.5% for the 1965 Bristol 35.5 and 32.7% for the 2016 Dehler 36 SQ, 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 2016 Dehler 36 SQ offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 120L water and 55L 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 2016 Dehler 36 SQ 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 · 2016 Dehler 36 SQ