1965 Bristol 35.5 vs Bavaria C42 — Comparison
Bavaria C42
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1965 Bristol 35.5 | Bavaria C42 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Bavaria |
| Year | 1965–1972 | 2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | cossutti yacht design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 10.82 m (35.5 ft) | 12.88 m (42.3 ft) |
| LWL | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) | 11.25 m (36.9 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 4.09 m (13.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 5,897 kg (13,001 lbs) | 8,900 kg (19,621 lbs) |
| Ballast | 2,449 kg (5,399 lbs) | 2,750 kg (6,063 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 47.4 m² (510 ft²) | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 18 HP | 45 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 340 L (89.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1965 Bristol 35.5 and Bavaria C42 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 is a classic design by Bristol from USA, while the Bavaria C42 is a modern offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1965 Bristol 35.5 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The Bavaria C42 was designed by cossutti 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 C42 at 12.88m (42.3ft) with a 4.09m beam. The Bavaria C42 is 2.06m longer than the 1965 Bristol 35.5. The Bavaria C42 displaces approximately 51% 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 C42, with an SA/D of 17.98 and 76.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Bavaria C42 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 C42 has a comfort ratio of 15.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 41.5% for the 1965 Bristol 35.5 and 30.9% for the Bavaria C42, 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 C42 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 340L water and 200L 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 C42 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Bavaria C42 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 · Bavaria C42