1970 Bristol 32 vs Beneteau First 40 — Comparison
1970 Bristol 32
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1970 Bristol 32 | Beneteau First 40 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Beneteau |
| Year | 1970–1977 | 2006–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | Farr Yacht Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) | 12.16 m (39.9 ft) |
| LWL | 7.16 m (23.5 ft) | 10.58 m (34.7 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.80 m (12.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) | 7,000 kg (15,432 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,905 kg (4,200 lbs) | 2,500 kg (5,512 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 40.2 m² (433 ft²) | 74.0 m² (797 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 280 L (74.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 8 |
| Cabins | 1 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1970 Bristol 32 and Beneteau First 40 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1970 Bristol 32 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the Beneteau First 40 is a 2000s offering from Beneteau from France. The 1970 Bristol 32 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The Beneteau First 40 was designed by Farr Yacht Design.
In terms of size, the 1970 Bristol 32 measures 9.75m (32.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the Beneteau First 40 at 12.16m (39.9ft) with a 3.80m beam. The Beneteau First 40 is 2.41m longer than the 1970 Bristol 32. The Beneteau First 40 displaces approximately 54% 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 Beneteau First 40, with an SA/D of 20.55 and 74.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Beneteau First 40 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 Beneteau First 40 has a comfort ratio of 14.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.80. The ballast ratios are 42.0% for the 1970 Bristol 32 and 35.7% for the Beneteau First 40, 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 Beneteau First 40 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 280L 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 Beneteau First 40 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Beneteau First 40 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 · Beneteau First 40