1978 Bristol 40 vs 1988 Westerly Corsair — Comparison
1978 Bristol 40
1988 Westerly Corsair
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1978 Bristol 40 | 1988 Westerly Corsair |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Westerly |
| Year | 1978–1983 | 1988–1994 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | UK |
| Designer | Ted Hood | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 11.00 m (36.1 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) | 3.50 m (11.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 1.07 m (3.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) | 6,350 kg (13,999 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 2,450 kg (5,401 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.4 m² (672 ft²) | 50.0 m² (538 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Bilge |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 100 L (26.4 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1978 Bristol 40 and 1988 Westerly Corsair represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1978 Bristol 40 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the 1988 Westerly Corsair is a 1980s offering from Westerly from UK. The 1978 Bristol 40 was penned by Ted Hood. The 1988 Westerly Corsair was designed by Ed Dubois.
In terms of size, the 1978 Bristol 40 measures 12.19m (40.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.35m, compared to the 1988 Westerly Corsair at 11.00m (36.1ft) with a 3.50m beam. The 1978 Bristol 40 is 1.19m longer than the 1988 Westerly Corsair. The 1978 Bristol 40 displaces approximately 29% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1978 Bristol 40 has moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising with an SA/D ratio of 15.63 and 62.4 m² of sail area. The 1988 Westerly Corsair, with an SA/D of 14.81 and 50.0 m² of canvas, offers modest sail power for its displacement. The 1978 Bristol 40 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1978 Bristol 40 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 24.8) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.67). The 1988 Westerly Corsair has a comfort ratio of 19.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1978 Bristol 40 and 38.6% for the 1988 Westerly Corsair, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1978 Bristol 40 provides 7 berths in 2 cabins with 189L of water capacity and 114L of fuel. The 1988 Westerly Corsair offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 200L water and 100L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1978 Bristol 40 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 1978 Bristol 40 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.
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Or view individual specs: 1978 Bristol 40 · 1988 Westerly Corsair