1970 Bristol 32 vs Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 — Comparison
1970 Bristol 32
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1970 Bristol 32 | Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Beneteau |
| Year | 1970–1977 | 2016 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) | 10.34 m (33.9 ft) |
| LWL | 7.16 m (23.5 ft) | 9.35 m (30.7 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.39 m (11.1 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.75 m (5.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,905 kg (4,200 lbs) | 1,600 kg (3,527 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 | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1970 Bristol 32 and Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1970 Bristol 32 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The 1970 Bristol 32 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 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 Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 at 10.34m (33.9ft) with a 3.39m beam. The Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 is 0.59m longer than the 1970 Bristol 32. The Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 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 Beneteau Oceanis 34.1, with an SA/D of 17.60 and 52.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 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 Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 has a comfort ratio of 16.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 42.0% for the 1970 Bristol 32 and 30.8% for the Beneteau Oceanis 34.1, 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 Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 200L 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 Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Beneteau Oceanis 34.1 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 · Beneteau Oceanis 34.1