1978 Bristol 40 vs Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 — Comparison
1978 Bristol 40
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1978 Bristol 40 | Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1978–1983 | 2016 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Ted Hood | Daniel Andrieu |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 10.94 m (35.9 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 10.10 m (33.1 ft) |
| Beam | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) | 3.55 m (11.6 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) | 5,100 kg (11,244 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 1,900 kg (4,189 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.4 m² (672 ft²) | 61.0 m² (657 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 21 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 80 L (21.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 5 |
| Cabins | 2 | 1 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1978 Bristol 40 and Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1978 Bristol 40 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 is a modern offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1978 Bristol 40 was penned by Ted Hood. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 was designed by Daniel Andrieu.
In terms of size, the 1978 Bristol 40 measures 12.19m (40.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.35m, compared to the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 at 10.94m (35.9ft) with a 3.55m beam. The 1978 Bristol 40 is 1.25m longer than the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600. The 1978 Bristol 40 displaces approximately 60% 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 Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600, with an SA/D of 20.92 and 61.0 m² of canvas, offers generous sail power for spirited sailing. The Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 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 Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 has a comfort ratio of 13.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.83. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1978 Bristol 40 and 37.3% for the Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600, 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 Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 offers 5 berths in 1 cabin with 120L water and 80L 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 Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 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 · Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600