1970 Bristol 32 vs 1972 Contest 31 — Comparison
1970 Bristol 32
1972 Contest 31
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1970 Bristol 32 | 1972 Contest 31 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Contest |
| Year | 1970–1977 | 1972–1982 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Netherlands |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | Dick Zaal |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.16 m (23.5 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.05 m (10.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,905 kg (4,200 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 40.2 m² (433 ft²) | 39.5 m² (425 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Steel |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1970 Bristol 32 and 1972 Contest 31 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1970 Bristol 32 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the 1972 Contest 31 is a 1970s offering from Contest from Netherlands. The 1970 Bristol 32 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The 1972 Contest 31 was designed by Dick Zaal.
In terms of size, the 1970 Bristol 32 measures 9.75m (32.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the 1972 Contest 31 at 9.45m (31.0ft) with a 3.05m beam. The 1970 Bristol 32 is 0.30m longer than the 1972 Contest 31.
Looking at performance, the 1970 Bristol 32 has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.91 and 40.2 m² of sail area. The 1972 Contest 31, with an SA/D of 14.65 and 39.5 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1970 Bristol 32 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1970 Bristol 32 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 26.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.72). The 1972 Contest 31 has a comfort ratio of 23.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 42.0% for the 1970 Bristol 32 and 40.0% for the 1972 Contest 31, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1970 Bristol 32 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L of water capacity and 57L of fuel. The 1972 Contest 31 offers 5 berths in 2 cabins with 150L water and 80L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1970 Bristol 32 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 1970 Bristol 32 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.
Compare Different Boats
Looking for a different matchup? Browse All Boats
Or view individual specs: 1970 Bristol 32 · 1972 Contest 31