1970 Bristol 32 vs 2005 Dehler 34 — Comparison
1970 Bristol 32
2005 Dehler 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1970 Bristol 32 | 2005 Dehler 34 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Dehler |
| Year | 1970–1977 | 2005–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) | 10.30 m (33.8 ft) |
| LWL | 7.16 m (23.5 ft) | 9.10 m (29.9 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.25 m (10.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) | 4,800 kg (10,582 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,905 kg (4,200 lbs) | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 40.2 m² (433 ft²) | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 50 L (13.2 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 6 |
| Cabins | 1 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1970 Bristol 32 and 2005 Dehler 34 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1970 Bristol 32 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the 2005 Dehler 34 is a 2000s offering from Dehler from Germany. The 1970 Bristol 32 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The 2005 Dehler 34 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 2005 Dehler 34 at 10.30m (33.8ft) with a 3.25m beam. The 2005 Dehler 34 is 0.55m longer than the 1970 Bristol 32. The 2005 Dehler 34 displaces approximately 6% 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 2005 Dehler 34, with an SA/D of 17.85 and 50.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2005 Dehler 34 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 2005 Dehler 34 has a comfort ratio of 17.2 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 42.0% for the 1970 Bristol 32 and 35.4% for the 2005 Dehler 34, 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 2005 Dehler 34 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 100L water and 50L 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 2005 Dehler 34 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2005 Dehler 34 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 · 2005 Dehler 34