1970 Bristol 32 vs 1986 Westerly Oceanlord — Comparison
1970 Bristol 32
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1970 Bristol 32 | 1986 Westerly Oceanlord |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Westerly |
| Year | 1970–1977 | 1986–1992 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | UK |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) | 12.04 m (39.5 ft) |
| LWL | 7.16 m (23.5 ft) | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.81 m (12.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) | 9,980 kg (22,002 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,905 kg (4,200 lbs) | 3,629 kg (8,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 40.2 m² (433 ft²) | 68.0 m² (732 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 50 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 182 L (48.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 340 L (89.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 7 |
| Cabins | 1 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1970 Bristol 32 and 1986 Westerly Oceanlord represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1970 Bristol 32 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the 1986 Westerly Oceanlord is a 1980s offering from Westerly from UK. The 1970 Bristol 32 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the 1970 Bristol 32 measures 9.75m (32.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the 1986 Westerly Oceanlord at 12.04m (39.5ft) with a 3.81m beam. The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord is 2.29m longer than the 1970 Bristol 32. The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord displaces approximately 120% 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 1986 Westerly Oceanlord, with an SA/D of 14.90 and 68.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1970 Bristol 32 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 1986 Westerly Oceanlord has a comfort ratio of 23.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.71. The ballast ratios are 42.0% for the 1970 Bristol 32 and 36.4% for the 1986 Westerly Oceanlord, 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 1986 Westerly Oceanlord offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 340L water and 182L 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 1970 Bristol 32 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1986 Westerly Oceanlord 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 · 1986 Westerly Oceanlord