1978 Bristol 40 vs 1984 C&C 37+ — Comparison
1978 Bristol 40
1984 C&C 37+
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1978 Bristol 40 | 1984 C&C 37+ |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | C&C Yachts |
| Year | 1978–1983 | 1984–1990 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Canada |
| Designer | Ted Hood | Cuthbertson & Cassian |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 11.28 m (37.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) | 3.56 m (11.7 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) | 6,577 kg (14,500 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 2,722 kg (6,001 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.4 m² (672 ft²) | 57.0 m² (614 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 25 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 95 L (25.1 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 170 L (44.9 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1978 Bristol 40 and 1984 C&C 37+ represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1978 Bristol 40 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the 1984 C&C 37+ is a 1980s offering from C&C Yachts from Canada. The 1978 Bristol 40 was penned by Ted Hood. The 1984 C&C 37+ was designed by Cuthbertson & Cassian.
In terms of size, the 1978 Bristol 40 measures 12.19m (40.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.35m, compared to the 1984 C&C 37+ at 11.28m (37.0ft) with a 3.56m beam. The 1978 Bristol 40 is 0.91m longer than the 1984 C&C 37+. The 1978 Bristol 40 displaces approximately 24% 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 1984 C&C 37+, with an SA/D of 16.50 and 57.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 1984 C&C 37+ 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 1984 C&C 37+ has a comfort ratio of 19.5 and a capsize screening value of 0.76. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1978 Bristol 40 and 41.4% for the 1984 C&C 37+, 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 1984 C&C 37+ offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 170L water and 95L 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 1984 C&C 37+ has the performance advantage with its superior SA/D ratio, meaning more sail power relative to its displacement for competitive sailing.
For liveaboard: Both boats provide similar accommodation, making either a viable choice for living aboard. Consider water and fuel capacity for extended stays away from marinas.
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Or view individual specs: 1978 Bristol 40 · 1984 C&C 37+