1970 Bristol 32 vs 1988 Najad 331 — Comparison
1970 Bristol 32
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1970 Bristol 32 | 1988 Najad 331 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Najad |
| Year | 1970–1977 | 1988–1998 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Sweden |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) | 10.06 m (33.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.16 m (23.5 ft) | 8.38 m (27.5 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.18 m (10.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.65 m (5.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) | 4,900 kg (10,803 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,905 kg (4,200 lbs) | 2,000 kg (4,409 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 40.2 m² (433 ft²) | 43.0 m² (463 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 140 L (37.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1970 Bristol 32 and 1988 Najad 331 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1970 Bristol 32 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the 1988 Najad 331 is a 1980s offering from Najad from Sweden. The 1970 Bristol 32 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The 1988 Najad 331 was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
In terms of size, the 1970 Bristol 32 measures 9.75m (32.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the 1988 Najad 331 at 10.06m (33.0ft) with a 3.18m beam. The 1988 Najad 331 is 0.31m longer than the 1970 Bristol 32. The 1988 Najad 331 displaces approximately 8% 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 1988 Najad 331, with an SA/D of 15.15 and 43.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1988 Najad 331 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 1988 Najad 331 has a comfort ratio of 20.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 42.0% for the 1970 Bristol 32 and 40.8% for the 1988 Najad 331, 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 1988 Najad 331 offers 5 berths in 2 cabins with 140L 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 1988 Najad 331 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
Compare Different Boats
Looking for a different matchup? Browse All Boats
Or view individual specs: 1970 Bristol 32 · 1988 Najad 331