1970 Bristol 32 vs Dufour 40 — Comparison
1970 Bristol 32
Dufour 40
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1970 Bristol 32 | Dufour 40 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Dufour |
| Year | 1970–1977 | 2007–2012 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | France |
| Designer | Halsey Herreshoff | Umberto Felci |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) | 12.05 m (39.5 ft) |
| LWL | 7.16 m (23.5 ft) | 10.55 m (34.6 ft) |
| Beam | 2.97 m (9.7 ft) | 3.85 m (12.6 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.95 m (6.4 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 4,536 kg (10,000 lbs) | 7,800 kg (17,196 lbs) |
| Ballast | 1,905 kg (4,200 lbs) | 2,400 kg (5,291 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 40.2 m² (433 ft²) | 68.0 m² (732 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 15 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 57 L (15.1 gal) | 160 L (42.3 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 76 L (20.1 gal) | 300 L (79.3 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 5 | 8 |
| Cabins | 1 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1970 Bristol 32 and Dufour 40 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1970 Bristol 32 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the Dufour 40 is a 2000s offering from Dufour from France. The 1970 Bristol 32 was penned by Halsey Herreshoff. The Dufour 40 was designed by Umberto Felci.
In terms of size, the 1970 Bristol 32 measures 9.75m (32.0ft) overall with a beam of 2.97m, compared to the Dufour 40 at 12.05m (39.5ft) with a 3.85m beam. The Dufour 40 is 2.30m longer than the 1970 Bristol 32. The Dufour 40 displaces approximately 72% 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 Dufour 40, with an SA/D of 17.56 and 68.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The Dufour 40 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 Dufour 40 has a comfort ratio of 16.4 and a capsize screening value of 0.78. The ballast ratios are 42.0% for the 1970 Bristol 32 and 30.8% for the Dufour 40, 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 Dufour 40 offers 8 berths in 3 cabins with 300L water and 160L 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 Dufour 40 has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: The Dufour 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: 1970 Bristol 32 · Dufour 40