1978 Bristol 40 vs Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 — Comparison
1978 Bristol 40
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1978 Bristol 40 | Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Jeanneau |
| Year | 1978–1983 | 2019 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Ted Hood | Philippe Briand |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 14.42 m (47.3 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 13.10 m (43.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) | 4.49 m (14.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 2.35 m (7.7 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) | 12,000 kg (26,455 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 3,800 kg (8,378 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.4 m² (672 ft²) | 98.0 m² (1,055 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 57 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 460 L (121.5 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 10 |
| Cabins | 2 | 4 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1978 Bristol 40 and Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1978 Bristol 40 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 is a modern offering from Jeanneau from France. The 1978 Bristol 40 was penned by Ted Hood. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 was designed by Philippe Briand.
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 Odyssey 490 at 14.42m (47.3ft) with a 4.49m beam. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 is 2.23m longer than the 1978 Bristol 40. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 displaces approximately 47% 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 Odyssey 490, with an SA/D of 18.99 and 98.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 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 Odyssey 490 has a comfort ratio of 13.7 and a capsize screening value of 0.79. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1978 Bristol 40 and 31.7% for the Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490, 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 Odyssey 490 offers 10 berths in 4 cabins with 460L water and 250L 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 Odyssey 490 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 490 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 Odyssey 490