1978 Bristol 40 vs Bavaria 34 — Comparison
1978 Bristol 40
Bavaria 34
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1978 Bristol 40 | Bavaria 34 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Bavaria |
| Year | 1978–1983 | 1998–2004 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | Ted Hood | J&J Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 10.35 m (34.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 9.10 m (29.9 ft) |
| Beam | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) | 3.38 m (11.1 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 1.80 m (5.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) | 5,200 kg (11,464 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.4 m² (672 ft²) | 52.0 m² (560 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1978 Bristol 40 and Bavaria 34 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1978 Bristol 40 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the Bavaria 34 is a 1990s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1978 Bristol 40 was penned by Ted Hood. The Bavaria 34 was designed by J&J Design.
In terms of size, the 1978 Bristol 40 measures 12.19m (40.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.35m, compared to the Bavaria 34 at 10.35m (34.0ft) with a 3.38m beam. The 1978 Bristol 40 is 1.84m longer than the Bavaria 34. The 1978 Bristol 40 displaces approximately 57% 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 Bavaria 34, with an SA/D of 17.60 and 52.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Bavaria 34 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 Bavaria 34 has a comfort ratio of 17.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1978 Bristol 40 and 32.7% for the Bavaria 34, 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 Bavaria 34 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 80L 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 Bavaria 34 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1978 Bristol 40 offers more sleeping accommodation, making it better suited for extended living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1978 Bristol 40 · Bavaria 34