1970 Bristol 32 vs 1977 Cal 33 — Comparison
1970 Bristol 32
1977 Cal 33
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1970 Bristol 32 | 1977 Cal 33 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Cal |
| Year | 1970–1977 | 1977–1982 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | Bill Lapworth / C. Raymond Hunt |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.16 m (23.5 ft) | 8.08 m (26.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) | 5,216 kg (11,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,905 kg (4,200 lbs) | 2,177 kg (4,799 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 40.2 m² (433 ft²) | 43.0 m² (463 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1970 Bristol 32 and 1977 Cal 33 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1970 Bristol 32 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the 1977 Cal 33 is a 1970s offering from Cal from USA. The 1970 Bristol 32 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The 1977 Cal 33 was designed by Bill Lapworth / C. Raymond Hunt.
In terms of size, the 1970 Bristol 32 measures 9.75m (32.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the 1977 Cal 33 at 10.06m (33.0ft) with a 3.20m beam. The 1977 Cal 33 is 0.31m longer than the 1970 Bristol 32. The 1977 Cal 33 displaces approximately 15% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
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 1977 Cal 33, with an SA/D of 14.53 and 43.0 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 1977 Cal 33 has a comfort ratio of 22.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 42.0% for the 1970 Bristol 32 and 41.7% for the 1977 Cal 33, 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 1977 Cal 33 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 114L water and 68L 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: The 1977 Cal 33 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.