1978 Bristol 40 vs 2013 Oyster 485 — Comparison
1978 Bristol 40
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1978 Bristol 40 | 2013 Oyster 485 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Oyster |
| Year | 1978–1983 | 2013–2020 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | United Kingdom |
| Designer | Ted Hood | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 14.85 m (48.7 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 12.70 m (41.7 ft) |
| Beam | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) | 4.38 m (14.4 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 2.15 m (7.1 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) | 14,200 kg (31,306 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 5,400 kg (11,905 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.4 m² (672 ft²) | 98.0 m² (1,055 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 110 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 550 L (145.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1978 Bristol 40 and 2013 Oyster 485 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1978 Bristol 40 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the 2013 Oyster 485 is a modern offering from Oyster from United Kingdom. The 1978 Bristol 40 was penned by Ted Hood. The 2013 Oyster 485 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 1978 Bristol 40 measures 12.19m (40.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.35m, compared to the 2013 Oyster 485 at 14.85m (48.7ft) with a 4.38m beam. The 2013 Oyster 485 is 2.66m longer than the 1978 Bristol 40. The 2013 Oyster 485 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 2013 Oyster 485, with an SA/D of 16.98 and 98.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2013 Oyster 485 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 2013 Oyster 485 has a comfort ratio of 17.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1978 Bristol 40 and 38.0% for the 2013 Oyster 485, 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 2013 Oyster 485 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 550L water and 300L 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 2013 Oyster 485 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 · 2013 Oyster 485