1975 Westsail 32 vs 1978 Bristol 40 — Comparison
1975 Westsail 32
1978 Bristol 40
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1975 Westsail 32 | 1978 Bristol 40 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Westsail | Bristol |
| Year | 1975–1985 | 1978–1983 |
| Type | Cutter | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | William Crealock | Ted Hood |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 9.75 m (32.0 ft) | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) |
| LWL | 8.38 m (27.5 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.28 m (10.8 ft) | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) |
| Draft | 1.52 m (5.0 ft) | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 49.2 m² (530 ft²) | 62.4 m² (672 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Full | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 25 HP | 35 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 114 L (30.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 227 L (60.0 gal) | 189 L (49.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 6 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1975 Westsail 32 and 1978 Bristol 40 represent different approaches to sailboat design. The 1975 Westsail 32 is a 1970s design by Westsail from USA, while the 1978 Bristol 40 is a 1970s offering from Bristol from USA. The 1975 Westsail 32 was penned by William Crealock. The 1978 Bristol 40 was designed by Ted Hood.
In terms of size, the 1975 Westsail 32 measures 9.75m (32.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.28m, compared to the 1978 Bristol 40 at 12.19m (40.0ft) with a 3.35m beam. The 1978 Bristol 40 is 2.44m longer than the 1975 Westsail 32.
Looking at performance, the 1975 Westsail 32 has modest sail power for its displacement with an SA/D ratio of 12.33 and 49.2 m² of sail area. The 1978 Bristol 40, with an SA/D of 15.63 and 62.4 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1978 Bristol 40 has the edge in terms of raw sailing performance.
For comfort and safety, the 1975 Westsail 32 offers a comfortable motion suitable for extended cruising (comfort ratio: 33.4) and excellent capsize resistance suitable for offshore voyaging (capsize ratio: 0.65). The 1978 Bristol 40 has a comfort ratio of 24.8 and a capsize screening value of 0.67. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1975 Westsail 32 and 41.7% for the 1978 Bristol 40, reflecting their respective approaches to stability.
Below deck, the 1975 Westsail 32 provides 6 berths in 2 cabins with 227L of water capacity and 114L of fuel. The 1978 Bristol 40 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 189L water and 114L fuel capacity.
Verdict
For cruising: The 1975 Westsail 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 1978 Bristol 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 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: 1975 Westsail 32 · 1978 Bristol 40