1978 Bristol 40 vs Bavaria 44 — Comparison
1978 Bristol 40
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1978 Bristol 40 | Bavaria 44 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Bavaria |
| Year | 1978–1983 | 2002–2007 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | Ted Hood | J&J Design |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 13.55 m (44.5 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 11.82 m (38.8 ft) |
| Beam | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) | 4.18 m (13.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) | 10,200 kg (22,487 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.4 m² (672 ft²) | 86.0 m² (926 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 55 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 230 L (60.8 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 Bavaria 44 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1978 Bristol 40 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the Bavaria 44 is a 2000s offering from Bavaria from Germany. The 1978 Bristol 40 was penned by Ted Hood. The Bavaria 44 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 44 at 13.55m (44.5ft) with a 4.18m beam. The Bavaria 44 is 1.36m longer than the 1978 Bristol 40. The Bavaria 44 displaces approximately 25% 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 44, with an SA/D of 18.57 and 86.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Bavaria 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 Bavaria 44 has a comfort ratio of 15.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1978 Bristol 40 and 31.4% for the Bavaria 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 Bavaria 44 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 400L water and 230L 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 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 Bavaria 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 · Bavaria 44