1978 Bristol 40 vs 2015 ClubSwan 36 — Comparison
1978 Bristol 40
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1978 Bristol 40 | 2015 ClubSwan 36 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Nautor Swan |
| Year | 1978–1983 | 2015 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Finland |
| Designer | Ted Hood | Juan Kouyoumdjian |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 11.00 m (36.1 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 9.90 m (32.5 ft) |
| Beam | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) | 3.30 m (10.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 2.30 m (7.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) | 4,800 kg (10,582 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 1,700 kg (3,748 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.4 m² (672 ft²) | 65.0 m² (700 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 40 L (10.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 60 L (15.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 4 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1978 Bristol 40 and 2015 ClubSwan 36 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1978 Bristol 40 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the 2015 ClubSwan 36 is a modern offering from Nautor Swan from Finland. The 1978 Bristol 40 was penned by Ted Hood. The 2015 ClubSwan 36 was designed by Juan Kouyoumdjian.
In terms of size, the 1978 Bristol 40 measures 12.19m (40.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.35m, compared to the 2015 ClubSwan 36 at 11.00m (36.1ft) with a 3.30m beam. The 1978 Bristol 40 is 1.19m longer than the 2015 ClubSwan 36. The 1978 Bristol 40 displaces approximately 70% 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 2015 ClubSwan 36, with an SA/D of 23.21 and 65.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The 2015 ClubSwan 36 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 2015 ClubSwan 36 has a comfort ratio of 14.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1978 Bristol 40 and 35.4% for the 2015 ClubSwan 36, 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 2015 ClubSwan 36 offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 60L water and 40L 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 2015 ClubSwan 36 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 · 2015 ClubSwan 36