1978 Bristol 40 vs Catalina 315 — Comparison
1978 Bristol 40
Catalina 315
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1978 Bristol 40 | Catalina 315 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Catalina |
| Year | 1978–1983 | 2014 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Ted Hood | Gerry Douglas |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 8.61 m (28.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) | 3.20 m (10.5 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 1,814 kg (3,999 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.4 m² (672 ft²) | 44.0 m² (474 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 76 L (20.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 132 L (34.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1978 Bristol 40 and Catalina 315 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1978 Bristol 40 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the Catalina 315 is a modern offering from Catalina from USA. The 1978 Bristol 40 was penned by Ted Hood. The Catalina 315 was designed by Gerry Douglas.
In terms of size, the 1978 Bristol 40 measures 12.19m (40.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.35m, compared to the Catalina 315 at 9.45m (31.0ft) with a 3.20m beam. The 1978 Bristol 40 is 2.74m longer than the Catalina 315. The 1978 Bristol 40 displaces approximately 80% 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 Catalina 315, with an SA/D of 16.32 and 44.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The Catalina 315 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 Catalina 315 has a comfort ratio of 18.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1978 Bristol 40 and 40.0% for the Catalina 315, 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 Catalina 315 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 132L water and 76L 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 Catalina 315 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 · Catalina 315