1970 Bristol 32 vs Catalina 250 — Comparison
1970 Bristol 32
Catalina 250
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1970 Bristol 32 | Catalina 250 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Catalina |
| Year | 1970–1977 | 1994–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) | 7.62 m (25.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.16 m (23.5 ft) | 6.78 m (22.2 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 2.59 m (8.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.37 m (4.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) | 1,588 kg (3,501 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,905 kg (4,200 lbs) | 612 kg (1,349 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 40.2 m² (433 ft²) | 24.5 m² (264 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 10 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 30 L (7.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 42 L (11.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 4 |
| Cabins | 1 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1970 Bristol 32 and Catalina 250 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1970 Bristol 32 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the Catalina 250 is a 1990s offering from Catalina from USA. The 1970 Bristol 32 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The Catalina 250 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 1970 Bristol 32 measures 9.75m (32.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the Catalina 250 at 7.62m (25.0ft) with a 2.59m beam. The 1970 Bristol 32 is 2.13m longer than the Catalina 250. The 1970 Bristol 32 displaces approximately 186% 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 Catalina 250, with an SA/D of 18.30 and 24.5 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Catalina 250 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 Catalina 250 has a comfort ratio of 13.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.89. The ballast ratios are 42.0% for the 1970 Bristol 32 and 38.5% for the Catalina 250, 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 Catalina 250 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 42L water and 30L 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 Catalina 250 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1970 Bristol 32 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 · Catalina 250