1978 Bristol 40 vs 1991 Westerly Seahawk — Comparison
1978 Bristol 40
1991 Westerly Seahawk
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1978 Bristol 40 | 1991 Westerly Seahawk |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Westerly |
| Year | 1978–1983 | 1991–1997 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | UK |
| Designer | Ted Hood | Ed Dubois |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 8.53 m (28.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) | 6,123 kg (13,499 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 2,495 kg (5,501 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.4 m² (672 ft²) | 48.0 m² (517 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 28 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 220 L (58.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1978 Bristol 40 and 1991 Westerly Seahawk represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1978 Bristol 40 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the 1991 Westerly Seahawk is a 1990s offering from Westerly from UK. The 1978 Bristol 40 was penned by Ted Hood. The 1991 Westerly Seahawk 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 1991 Westerly Seahawk at 10.36m (34.0ft) with a 3.35m beam. The 1978 Bristol 40 is 1.83m longer than the 1991 Westerly Seahawk. The 1978 Bristol 40 displaces approximately 33% 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 1991 Westerly Seahawk, with an SA/D of 14.57 and 48.0 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 1991 Westerly Seahawk has a comfort ratio of 22.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.73. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1978 Bristol 40 and 40.8% for the 1991 Westerly Seahawk, 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 1991 Westerly Seahawk offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 220L water and 114L 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 · 1991 Westerly Seahawk