1978 Bristol 40 vs Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 — Comparison
1978 Bristol 40
Beneteau Oceanis 38.1
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1978 Bristol 40 | Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Beneteau |
| Year | 1978–1983 | 2017 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Ted Hood | Marc Lombard |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 11.50 m (37.7 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 10.47 m (34.4 ft) |
| Beam | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 2.08 m (6.8 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) | 7,150 kg (15,763 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 2,200 kg (4,850 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.4 m² (672 ft²) | 62.5 m² (673 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 29 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 140 L (37.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 6 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1978 Bristol 40 and Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1978 Bristol 40 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 is a modern offering from Beneteau from France. The 1978 Bristol 40 was penned by Ted Hood. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 was designed by Marc Lombard.
In terms of size, the 1978 Bristol 40 measures 12.19m (40.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.35m, compared to the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 at 11.50m (37.7ft) with a 3.72m beam. The 1978 Bristol 40 is 0.69m longer than the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1. The 1978 Bristol 40 displaces approximately 14% 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 Beneteau Oceanis 38.1, with an SA/D of 17.11 and 62.5 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 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 Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 has a comfort ratio of 16.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1978 Bristol 40 and 30.8% for the Beneteau Oceanis 38.1, 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 Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 offers 6 berths in 2 cabins with 250L water and 140L 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 Beneteau Oceanis 38.1 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.