1970 Bristol 32 vs Bavaria Cruiser 34 — Comparison
1970 Bristol 32
Bavaria Cruiser 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1970 Bristol 32 | Bavaria Cruiser 34 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Bavaria |
| Year | 1970–1977 | 2010–2017 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) | 10.25 m (33.6 ft) |
| LWL | 7.16 m (23.5 ft) | 9.15 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.42 m (11.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) | 5,500 kg (12,125 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,905 kg (4,200 lbs) | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 40.2 m² (433 ft²) | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 90 L (23.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 180 L (47.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1970 Bristol 32 and Bavaria Cruiser 34 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1970 Bristol 32 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the Bavaria Cruiser 34 is a modern offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1970 Bristol 32 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 was designed by Farr Yacht 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 Cruiser 34 at 10.25m (33.6ft) with a 3.42m beam. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 is 0.50m longer than the 1970 Bristol 32. The Bavaria Cruiser 34 displaces approximately 21% 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 Cruiser 34, with an SA/D of 16.30 and 50.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Bavaria Cruiser 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 Cruiser 34 has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 42.0% for the 1970 Bristol 32 and 30.9% for the Bavaria Cruiser 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 Cruiser 34 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 180L 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 Bavaria Cruiser 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 Cruiser 34 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 · Bavaria Cruiser 34