1978 Bristol 40 vs Hanse 320 — Comparison
1978 Bristol 40
Hanse 320
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1978 Bristol 40 | Hanse 320 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Hanse |
| Year | 1978–1983 | 2005–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | Ted Hood | judel/vrolijk & co |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 9.92 m (32.5 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 8.80 m (28.9 ft) |
| Beam | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) | 4,600 kg (10,141 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 1,400 kg (3,086 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.4 m² (672 ft²) | 46.0 m² (495 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 18 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 90 L (23.8 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 Hanse 320 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1978 Bristol 40 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the Hanse 320 is a 2000s offering from Hanse from Germany. The 1978 Bristol 40 was penned by Ted Hood. The Hanse 320 was designed by judel/vrolijk & co.
In terms of size, the 1978 Bristol 40 measures 12.19m (40.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.35m, compared to the Hanse 320 at 9.92m (32.5ft) with a 3.28m beam. The 1978 Bristol 40 is 2.27m longer than the Hanse 320. The 1978 Bristol 40 displaces approximately 78% 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 Hanse 320, with an SA/D of 16.90 and 46.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Hanse 320 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 Hanse 320 has a comfort ratio of 17.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1978 Bristol 40 and 30.4% for the Hanse 320, 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 Hanse 320 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 150L water and 90L 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 Hanse 320 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 · Hanse 320