1978 Bristol 40 vs 2003 Sabre 402 — Comparison
1978 Bristol 40
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1978 Bristol 40 | 2003 Sabre 402 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Sabre |
| Year | 1978–1983 | 2003–2010 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | USA |
| Designer | Ted Hood | Jim Taylor |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 10.36 m (34.0 ft) |
| Beam | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) | 3.72 m (12.2 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 1.83 m (6.0 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 3,266 kg (7,200 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.4 m² (672 ft²) | 66.0 m² (710 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 40 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 151 L (39.9 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 227 L (60.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 2 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1978 Bristol 40 and 2003 Sabre 402 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1978 Bristol 40 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the 2003 Sabre 402 is a 2000s offering from Sabre from USA. The 1978 Bristol 40 was penned by Ted Hood. The 2003 Sabre 402 was designed by Jim Taylor.
In terms of size, the 1978 Bristol 40 measures 12.19m (40.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.35m, compared to the 2003 Sabre 402 at 12.19m (40.0ft) with a 3.72m beam.
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 2003 Sabre 402, with an SA/D of 16.54 and 66.0 m² of canvas, offers moderate sail power suitable for relaxed cruising. The 2003 Sabre 402 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 2003 Sabre 402 has a comfort ratio of 18.3 and a capsize screening value of 0.74. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1978 Bristol 40 and 40.0% for the 2003 Sabre 402, 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 2003 Sabre 402 offers 7 berths in 2 cabins with 227L water and 151L 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 2003 Sabre 402 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 · 2003 Sabre 402