1970 Bristol 32 vs 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur — Comparison
1970 Bristol 32
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1970 Bristol 32 | 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Wauquiez |
| Year | 1970–1977 | 1988–1998 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | Jean-Marie Finot |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) | 10.21 m (33.5 ft) |
| LWL | 7.16 m (23.5 ft) | 8.38 m (27.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) | 5,443 kg (12,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,905 kg (4,200 lbs) | 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 40.2 m² (433 ft²) | 47.0 m² (506 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 22 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 90 L (23.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1970 Bristol 32 and 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1970 Bristol 32 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur is a 1980s offering from Wauquiez from France. The 1970 Bristol 32 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur was designed by Jean-Marie Finot.
In terms of size, the 1970 Bristol 32 measures 9.75m (32.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur at 10.21m (33.5ft) with a 3.28m beam. The 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur is 0.46m longer than the 1970 Bristol 32. The 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur displaces approximately 20% 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 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur, with an SA/D of 15.43 and 47.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur 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 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur has a comfort ratio of 21.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 42.0% for the 1970 Bristol 32 and 41.7% for the 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur, 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 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 90L 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 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur 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: 1970 Bristol 32 · 1988 Wauquiez Gladiateur