1970 Bristol 32 vs Dufour 310 Grand Large — Comparison
1970 Bristol 32
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1970 Bristol 32 | Dufour 310 Grand Large |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Dufour |
| Year | 1970–1977 | 2015–2020 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | Felci Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) | 9.43 m (30.9 ft) |
| LWL | 7.16 m (23.5 ft) | 8.45 m (27.7 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.13 m (10.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.60 m (5.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) | 4,150 kg (9,149 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,905 kg (4,200 lbs) | 1,230 kg (2,712 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 40.2 m² (433 ft²) | 40.0 m² (431 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1970 Bristol 32 and Dufour 310 Grand Large represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1970 Bristol 32 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the Dufour 310 Grand Large is a modern offering from Dufour from France. The 1970 Bristol 32 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The Dufour 310 Grand Large was designed by Felci 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 Dufour 310 Grand Large at 9.43m (30.9ft) with a 3.13m beam. The 1970 Bristol 32 is 0.32m longer than the Dufour 310 Grand Large. The 1970 Bristol 32 displaces approximately 9% 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 Dufour 310 Grand Large, with an SA/D of 15.74 and 40.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Dufour 310 Grand Large 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 Dufour 310 Grand Large 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 29.6% for the Dufour 310 Grand Large, 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 Dufour 310 Grand Large offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 120L 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 Dufour 310 Grand Large has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1970 Bristol 32 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 · Dufour 310 Grand Large