1978 Bristol 40 vs 1998 Feeling 44 — Comparison
1978 Bristol 40
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1978 Bristol 40 | 1998 Feeling 44 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Feeling |
| Year | 1978–1983 | 1998–2005 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Ted Hood | Philippe Harlé / Mortain & Mavrikios |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 13.41 m (44.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) | 4.10 m (13.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 1.90 m (6.2 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) | 10,500 kg (23,149 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 4,000 kg (8,818 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.4 m² (672 ft²) | 82.0 m² (883 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 200 L (52.8 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 400 L (105.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1978 Bristol 40 and 1998 Feeling 44 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1978 Bristol 40 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the 1998 Feeling 44 is a 1990s offering from Feeling from France. The 1978 Bristol 40 was penned by Ted Hood. The 1998 Feeling 44 was designed by Philippe Harlé / Mortain & Mavrikios.
In terms of size, the 1978 Bristol 40 measures 12.19m (40.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.35m, compared to the 1998 Feeling 44 at 13.41m (44.0ft) with a 4.10m beam. The 1998 Feeling 44 is 1.22m longer than the 1978 Bristol 40. The 1998 Feeling 44 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 1998 Feeling 44, with an SA/D of 17.37 and 82.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 1998 Feeling 44 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 1998 Feeling 44 has a comfort ratio of 16.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.75. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1978 Bristol 40 and 38.1% for the 1998 Feeling 44, 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 1998 Feeling 44 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 400L water and 200L 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 1998 Feeling 44 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1998 Feeling 44 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 · 1998 Feeling 44