1970 Bristol 32 vs Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i — Comparison
1970 Bristol 32
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1970 Bristol 32 | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1970–1977 | 2008–2013 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) | 9.96 m (32.7 ft) |
| LWL | 7.16 m (23.5 ft) | 9.05 m (29.7 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.34 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) | 5,100 kg (11,244 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,905 kg (4,200 lbs) | 1,500 kg (3,307 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 40.2 m² (433 ft²) | 48.0 m² (517 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 100 L (26.4 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1970 Bristol 32 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i is a 2000s offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1970 Bristol 32 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i was designed by Marc Lombard.
In terms of size, the 1970 Bristol 32 measures 9.75m (32.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i at 9.96m (32.7ft) with a 3.34m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i is 0.21m longer than the 1970 Bristol 32. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i displaces approximately 12% 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i, with an SA/D of 16.46 and 48.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i has a comfort ratio of 18.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 42.0% for the 1970 Bristol 32 and 29.4% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i, 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 100L 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 Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 33i offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.