1970 Bristol 32 vs Hunter 27 — Comparison
1970 Bristol 32
Hunter 27
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1970 Bristol 32 | Hunter 27 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Hunter |
| Year | 1970–1977 | 1992–1998 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | Hunter Design Team |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) | 8.23 m (27.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.16 m (23.5 ft) | 7.32 m (24.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 2.79 m (9.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,905 kg (4,200 lbs) | 907 kg (2,000 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 40.2 m² (433 ft²) | 33.0 m² (355 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 12 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 45 L (11.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 68 L (18.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 5 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1970 Bristol 32 and Hunter 27 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1970 Bristol 32 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the Hunter 27 is a 1990s offering from Hunter from USA. The 1970 Bristol 32 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The Hunter 27 was designed by Hunter Design Team.
In terms of size, the 1970 Bristol 32 measures 9.75m (32.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the Hunter 27 at 8.23m (27.0ft) with a 2.79m beam. The 1970 Bristol 32 is 1.52m longer than the Hunter 27. The 1970 Bristol 32 displaces approximately 82% 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 Hunter 27, with an SA/D of 18.23 and 33.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hunter 27 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 Hunter 27 has a comfort ratio of 17.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.82. The ballast ratios are 42.0% for the 1970 Bristol 32 and 36.4% for the Hunter 27, 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 Hunter 27 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 68L water and 45L 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 Hunter 27 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
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Or view individual specs: 1970 Bristol 32 · Hunter 27