1970 Bristol 32 vs 1976 C&C 33 — Comparison
1970 Bristol 32
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1970 Bristol 32 | 1976 C&C 33 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | C&C Yachts |
| Year | 1970–1977 | 1976–1982 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Canada |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | Cuthbertson & Cassian |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.16 m (23.5 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,905 kg (4,200 lbs) | 2,041 kg (4,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 40.2 m² (433 ft²) | 42.0 m² (452 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 57 L (15.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1970 Bristol 32 and 1976 C&C 33 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1970 Bristol 32 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the 1976 C&C 33 is a 1970s offering from C&C Yachts from Canada. The 1970 Bristol 32 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The 1976 C&C 33 was designed by Cuthbertson & Cassian.
In terms of size, the 1970 Bristol 32 measures 9.75m (32.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the 1976 C&C 33 at 10.06m (33.0ft) with a 3.35m beam. The 1976 C&C 33 is 0.31m longer than the 1970 Bristol 32.
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 1976 C&C 33, with an SA/D of 15.57 and 42.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1976 C&C 33 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 1976 C&C 33 has a comfort ratio of 18.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.81. The ballast ratios are 42.0% for the 1970 Bristol 32 and 45.0% for the 1976 C&C 33, 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 1976 C&C 33 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 95L water and 57L 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 1976 C&C 33 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1976 C&C 33 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 · 1976 C&C 33