1970 Bristol 32 vs 1992 Moody 41 — Comparison
1970 Bristol 32
1992 Moody 41
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1970 Bristol 32 | 1992 Moody 41 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Moody |
| Year | 1970–1977 | 1992–1998 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | UK |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | Bill Dixon |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) | 12.50 m (41.0 ft) |
| LWL | 7.16 m (23.5 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.86 m (12.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.70 m (5.6 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) | 9,800 kg (21,605 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,905 kg (4,200 lbs) | 3,800 kg (8,378 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 40.2 m² (433 ft²) | 70.0 m² (754 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 180 L (47.6 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 360 L (95.1 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 7 |
| Cabins | 1 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1970 Bristol 32 and 1992 Moody 41 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1970 Bristol 32 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the 1992 Moody 41 is a 1990s offering from Moody from UK. The 1970 Bristol 32 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The 1992 Moody 41 was designed by Bill Dixon.
In terms of size, the 1970 Bristol 32 measures 9.75m (32.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the 1992 Moody 41 at 12.50m (41.0ft) with a 3.86m beam. The 1992 Moody 41 is 2.75m longer than the 1970 Bristol 32. The 1992 Moody 41 displaces approximately 116% more than its counterpart, which significantly affects how each boat handles in different sea states.
Looking at performance, the 1970 Bristol 32 has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 14.91 and 40.2 m² of sail area. The 1992 Moody 41, with an SA/D of 15.53 and 70.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1992 Moody 41 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1970 Bristol 32 offers a moderate motion comfort level (comfort ratio: 26.0) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.72). The 1992 Moody 41 has a comfort ratio of 20.6 and a capsize screening value of 0.72. The ballast ratios are 42.0% for the 1970 Bristol 32 and 38.8% for the 1992 Moody 41, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1970 Bristol 32 provides 5 berths in 1 cabin with 76L of water capacity and 57L of fuel. The 1992 Moody 41 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 360L water and 180L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1970 Bristol 32 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 1992 Moody 41 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The 1992 Moody 41 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: 1970 Bristol 32 · 1992 Moody 41