1978 Bristol 40 vs 2016 Elan GT5 — Comparison
1978 Bristol 40
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1978 Bristol 40 | 2016 Elan GT5 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Elan |
| Year | 1978–1983 | 2016 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Slovenia |
| Designer | Ted Hood | Rob Humphreys / Studio F.A. Porsche |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 13.85 m (45.4 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 12.20 m (40.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) | 4.28 m (14.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) | 10,200 kg (22,487 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 3,200 kg (7,055 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.4 m² (672 ft²) | 92.0 m² (990 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 350 L (92.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 8 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1978 Bristol 40 and 2016 Elan GT5 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1978 Bristol 40 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the 2016 Elan GT5 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 1978 Bristol 40 was penned by Ted Hood. The 2016 Elan GT5 was designed by Rob Humphreys / Studio F.A. Porsche.
In terms of size, the 1978 Bristol 40 measures 12.19m (40.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.35m, compared to the 2016 Elan GT5 at 13.85m (45.4ft) with a 4.28m beam. The 2016 Elan GT5 is 1.66m longer than the 1978 Bristol 40. The 2016 Elan GT5 displaces approximately 25% 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 Elan GT5, with an SA/D of 19.87 and 92.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2016 Elan GT5 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 Elan GT5 has a comfort ratio of 14.0 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1978 Bristol 40 and 31.4% for the 2016 Elan GT5, 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 Elan GT5 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 350L water and 160L 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 Elan GT5 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 2016 Elan GT5 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 Elan GT5