1970 Bristol 32 vs 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS — Comparison
1970 Bristol 32
2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1970 Bristol 32 | 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1970–1977 | 2007–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | Philippe Briand |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) | 11.86 m (38.9 ft) |
| LWL | 7.16 m (23.5 ft) | 10.30 m (33.8 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.76 m (12.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) | 7,600 kg (16,755 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,905 kg (4,200 lbs) | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 40.2 m² (433 ft²) | 62.0 m² (667 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 7 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1970 Bristol 32 and 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1970 Bristol 32 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS is a 2000s offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1970 Bristol 32 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS was designed by Philippe Briand.
In terms of size, the 1970 Bristol 32 measures 9.75m (32.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS at 11.86m (38.9ft) with a 3.76m beam. The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS is 2.11m longer than the 1970 Bristol 32. The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS displaces approximately 68% 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 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS, with an SA/D of 16.30 and 62.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS 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 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS has a comfort ratio of 17.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 42.0% for the 1970 Bristol 32 and 31.6% for the 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS, 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 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 250L water and 120L 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 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2007 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 39 DS offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.