1970 Bristol 32 vs Bavaria 34 — Comparison
1970 Bristol 32
Bavaria 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1970 Bristol 32 | Bavaria 34 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Bavaria |
| Year | 1970–1977 | 1998–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | J&J Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) | 10.35 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.16 m (23.5 ft) | 9.10 m (29.9 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.38 m (11.1 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,905 kg (4,200 lbs) | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 40.2 m² (433 ft²) | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| 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) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1970 Bristol 32 and Bavaria 34 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1970 Bristol 32 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the Bavaria 34 is a 1990s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1970 Bristol 32 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The Bavaria 34 was designed by J&J Design.
In terms of size, the 1970 Bristol 32 measures 9.75m (32.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the Bavaria 34 at 10.35m (34.0ft) with a 3.38m beam. The Bavaria 34 is 0.60m longer than the 1970 Bristol 32. The Bavaria 34 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 Bavaria 34, with an SA/D of 17.60 and 52.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Bavaria 34 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 Bavaria 34 has a comfort ratio of 17.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 42.0% for the 1970 Bristol 32 and 32.7% for the Bavaria 34, 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 Bavaria 34 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L 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 Bavaria 34 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 34 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended 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 · Bavaria 34