1978 Bristol 40 vs Hanse 470 — Comparison
1978 Bristol 40
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1978 Bristol 40 | Hanse 470 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Hanse |
| Year | 1978–1983 | 2013–2017 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | Ted Hood | judel/vrolijk & co |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 14.45 m (47.4 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 12.85 m (42.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) | 4.42 m (14.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 2.25 m (7.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) | 11,800 kg (26,015 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 3,700 kg (8,157 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.4 m² (672 ft²) | 96.0 m² (1,033 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) | 430 L (113.6 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 10 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1978 Bristol 40 and Hanse 470 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1978 Bristol 40 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the Hanse 470 is a modern offering from Hanse from Germany. The 1978 Bristol 40 was penned by Ted Hood. The Hanse 470 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 470 at 14.45m (47.4ft) with a 4.42m beam. The Hanse 470 is 2.26m longer than the 1978 Bristol 40. The Hanse 470 displaces approximately 45% 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 470, with an SA/D of 18.81 and 96.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Hanse 470 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 470 has a comfort ratio of 14.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1978 Bristol 40 and 31.4% for the Hanse 470, 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 470 offers 10 berths in 3 cabins with 430L 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 Hanse 470 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Hanse 470 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 470