1978 Bristol 40 vs 2016 Dehler 30 OD — Comparison
1978 Bristol 40
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1978 Bristol 40 | 2016 Dehler 30 OD |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Dehler |
| Year | 1978–1983 | 2016 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Germany |
| Designer | Ted Hood | Judel/Vrolijk |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 9.45 m (31.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 8.60 m (28.2 ft) |
| Beam | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) | 2.98 m (9.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) | 3,700 kg (8,157 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 1,350 kg (2,976 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.4 m² (672 ft²) | 46.0 m² (495 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 15 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 35 L (9.2 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 2016 Dehler 30 OD represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1978 Bristol 40 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the 2016 Dehler 30 OD is a modern offering from Dehler from Germany. The 1978 Bristol 40 was penned by Ted Hood. The 2016 Dehler 30 OD was designed by Judel/Vrolijk.
In terms of size, the 1978 Bristol 40 measures 12.19m (40.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.35m, compared to the 2016 Dehler 30 OD at 9.45m (31.0ft) with a 2.98m beam. The 1978 Bristol 40 is 2.74m longer than the 2016 Dehler 30 OD. The 1978 Bristol 40 displaces approximately 121% 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 2016 Dehler 30 OD, with an SA/D of 19.54 and 46.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2016 Dehler 30 OD 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 2016 Dehler 30 OD has a comfort ratio of 16.9 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1978 Bristol 40 and 36.5% for the 2016 Dehler 30 OD, 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 2016 Dehler 30 OD offers 4 berths in 1 cabin with 60L water and 35L 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 2016 Dehler 30 OD 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 · 2016 Dehler 30 OD