1970 Bristol 32 vs 2012 X-Yachts Xc 42 — Comparison
1970 Bristol 32
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1970 Bristol 32 | 2012 X-Yachts Xc 42 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | X-Yachts |
| Year | 1970–1977 | 2012–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Denmark |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | Niels Jeppesen |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) | 12.73 m (41.8 ft) |
| LWL | 7.16 m (23.5 ft) | 10.90 m (35.8 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.93 m (12.9 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) | 9,800 kg (21,605 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,905 kg (4,200 lbs) | 3,600 kg (7,937 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 40.2 m² (433 ft²) | 79.0 m² (850 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 7 |
| Cabins | 1 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1970 Bristol 32 and 2012 X-Yachts Xc 42 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1970 Bristol 32 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the 2012 X-Yachts Xc 42 is a modern offering from X-Yachts from Denmark. The 1970 Bristol 32 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The 2012 X-Yachts Xc 42 was designed by Niels Jeppesen.
In terms of size, the 1970 Bristol 32 measures 9.75m (32.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the 2012 X-Yachts Xc 42 at 12.73m (41.8ft) with a 3.93m beam. The 2012 X-Yachts Xc 42 is 2.98m longer than the 1970 Bristol 32. The 2012 X-Yachts Xc 42 displaces approximately 116% 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 2012 X-Yachts Xc 42, with an SA/D of 17.52 and 79.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2012 X-Yachts Xc 42 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 2012 X-Yachts Xc 42 has a comfort ratio of 18.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 42.0% for the 1970 Bristol 32 and 36.7% for the 2012 X-Yachts Xc 42, 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 2012 X-Yachts Xc 42 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 300L water and 150L 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 2012 X-Yachts Xc 42 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2012 X-Yachts Xc 42 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended 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 · 2012 X-Yachts Xc 42