1965 Bristol 35.5 vs Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 — Comparison
Beneteau Oceanis 38.1
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1965 Bristol 35.5 | Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Beneteau |
| Year | 1965–1972 | 2017 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 10.47 m (34.4 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 2.08 m (6.8 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 7,150 kg (15,763 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,449 kg (5,399 lbs) | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 47.4 m² (510 ft²) | 62.5 m² (673 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 140 L (37.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1965 Bristol 35.5 and Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 is a classic design by Bristol from USA, while the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 was designed by Marc Lombard.
In terms of size, the 1965 Bristol 35.5 measures 10.82m (35.5ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 at 11.50m (37.7ft) with a 3.72m beam. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is 0.68m longer than the 1965 Bristol 35.5. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 displaces approximately 21% 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 Beneteau Oceanis 38.1, with an SA/D of 17.11 and 62.5 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 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 Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 has a comfort ratio of 16.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 41.5% for the 1965 Bristol 35.5 and 30.8% for the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1, 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 Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 250L water and 140L 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 Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 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 · Beneteau Oceanis 38.1