1978 Bristol 40 vs 1992 Moody 41 — Comparison
1978 Bristol 40
1992 Moody 41
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1978 Bristol 40 | 1992 Moody 41 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Moody |
| Year | 1978–1983 | 1992–1998 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | UK |
| Designer | Ted Hood | Bill Dixon |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 12.50 m (41.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) | 9,800 kg (21,605 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 3,800 kg (8,378 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.4 m² (672 ft²) | 70.0 m² (754 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 180 L (47.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 360 L (95.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1978 Bristol 40 and 1992 Moody 41 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1978 Bristol 40 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the 1992 Moody 41 is a 1990s offering from Moody from UK. The 1978 Bristol 40 was penned by Ted Hood. The 1992 Moody 41 was designed by Bill Dixon.
In terms of size, the 1978 Bristol 40 measures 12.19m (40.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.35m, compared to the 1992 Moody 41 at 12.50m (41.0ft) with a 3.86m beam. The 1992 Moody 41 is 0.31m longer than the 1978 Bristol 40. The 1992 Moody 41 displaces approximately 20% 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 1992 Moody 41, with an SA/D of 15.53 and 70.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. 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 1992 Moody 41 has a comfort ratio of 20.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1978 Bristol 40 and 38.8% for the 1992 Moody 41, 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 1992 Moody 41 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 360L water and 180L 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 · 1992 Moody 41