1977 Bristol 29.9 vs 1979 Westerly Fulmar — Comparison
1977 Bristol 29.9
1979 Westerly Fulmar
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1977 Bristol 29.9 | 1979 Westerly Fulmar |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Westerly |
| Year | 1977–1984 | 1979–1986 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | UK |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.12 m (29.9 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) | 8.00 m (26.2 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 3,856 kg (8,501 lbs) | 4,990 kg (11,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 39.7 m² (427 ft²) | 36.0 m² (388 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Bilge |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 136 L (35.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1977 Bristol 29.9 and 1979 Westerly Fulmar represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1977 Bristol 29.9 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the 1979 Westerly Fulmar is a 1970s offering from Westerly from UK. The 1977 Bristol 29.9 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the 1977 Bristol 29.9 measures 9.12m (29.9ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the 1979 Westerly Fulmar at 9.75m (32.0ft) with a 3.20m beam. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar is 0.63m longer than the 1977 Bristol 29.9. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar displaces approximately 29% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1977 Bristol 29.9 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 16.41 and 39.7 m² of sail area. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar, with an SA/D of 12.53 and 36.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1977 Bristol 29.9 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1977 Bristol 29.9 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 22.5) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.76). The 1979 Westerly Fulmar has a comfort ratio of 22.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 41.2% for the 1977 Bristol 29.9 and 36.4% for the 1979 Westerly Fulmar, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1977 Bristol 29.9 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L of water capacity and 57L of fuel. The 1979 Westerly Fulmar offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 136L water and 68L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1977 Bristol 29.9 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 1977 Bristol 29.9 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1979 Westerly Fulmar offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.