1978 Bristol 40 vs 2010 Wauquiez Centurion 45 — Comparison
1978 Bristol 40
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1978 Bristol 40 | 2010 Wauquiez Centurion 45 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Wauquiez |
| Year | 1978–1983 | 2010–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Ted Hood | Jean Berret |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 13.72 m (45.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 11.58 m (38.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) | 4.05 m (13.3 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) | 11,340 kg (25,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 4,400 kg (9,700 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.4 m² (672 ft²) | 88.0 m² (947 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 75 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 450 L (118.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1978 Bristol 40 and 2010 Wauquiez Centurion 45 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1978 Bristol 40 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the 2010 Wauquiez Centurion 45 is a modern offering from Wauquiez from France. The 1978 Bristol 40 was penned by Ted Hood. The 2010 Wauquiez Centurion 45 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 2010 Wauquiez Centurion 45 at 13.72m (45.0ft) with a 4.05m beam. The 2010 Wauquiez Centurion 45 is 1.53m longer than the 1978 Bristol 40. The 2010 Wauquiez Centurion 45 displaces approximately 39% 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 2010 Wauquiez Centurion 45, with an SA/D of 17.71 and 88.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2010 Wauquiez Centurion 45 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 2010 Wauquiez Centurion 45 has a comfort ratio of 18.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1978 Bristol 40 and 38.8% for the 2010 Wauquiez Centurion 45, 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 2010 Wauquiez Centurion 45 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 450L water and 250L 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 2010 Wauquiez Centurion 45 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1978 Bristol 40 · 2010 Wauquiez Centurion 45