1978 Bristol 40 vs Beneteau First 33.7 — Comparison
1978 Bristol 40
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1978 Bristol 40 | Beneteau First 33.7 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Beneteau |
| Year | 1978–1983 | 2001–2006 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Ted Hood | Jean Berret |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 10.04 m (32.9 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 8.89 m (29.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) | 3.32 m (10.9 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 1.85 m (6.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) | 4,700 kg (10,362 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 1,650 kg (3,638 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.4 m² (672 ft²) | 55.0 m² (592 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) | 150 L (39.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1978 Bristol 40 and Beneteau First 33.7 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1978 Bristol 40 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the Beneteau First 33.7 is a 2000s offering from Beneteau from France. The 1978 Bristol 40 was penned by Ted Hood. The Beneteau First 33.7 was designed by Jean Berret.
In terms of size, the 1978 Bristol 40 measures 12.19m (40.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.35m, compared to the Beneteau First 33.7 at 10.04m (32.9ft) with a 3.32m beam. The 1978 Bristol 40 is 2.15m longer than the Beneteau First 33.7. The 1978 Bristol 40 displaces approximately 74% 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 Beneteau First 33.7, with an SA/D of 19.92 and 55.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau First 33.7 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 Beneteau First 33.7 has a comfort ratio of 17.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1978 Bristol 40 and 35.1% for the Beneteau First 33.7, 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 Beneteau First 33.7 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 150L 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 Beneteau First 33.7 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 · Beneteau First 33.7