1978 Bristol 40 vs 2014 Elan 400 — Comparison
1978 Bristol 40
2014 Elan 400
Specifications Side by Side
| Specification | 1978 Bristol 40 | 2014 Elan 400 |
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Manufacturer | Bristol | Elan |
| Year | 1978–1983 | 2014–2018 |
| Type | Sloop | Sloop |
| Country | USA | Slovenia |
| Designer | Ted Hood | Rob Humphreys |
| Dimensions | ||
| LOA | 12.19 m (40.0 ft) | 12.07 m (39.6 ft) |
| LWL | 9.14 m (30.0 ft) | 10.50 m (34.4 ft) |
| Beam | 3.35 m (11.0 ft) | 3.90 m (12.8 ft) |
| Draft | 1.68 m (5.5 ft) | 2.10 m (6.9 ft) |
| Weight | ||
| Displacement | 8,165 kg (18,001 lbs) | 8,200 kg (18,078 lbs) |
| Ballast | 3,402 kg (7,500 lbs) | 2,600 kg (5,732 lbs) |
| Sailing | ||
| Sail Area | 62.4 m² (672 ft²) | 76.0 m² (818 ft²) |
| Hull Material | Fiberglass | Fiberglass |
| Keel Type | Fin | Fin |
| Engine & Tanks | ||
| Engine | 35 HP | 30 HP |
| Fuel Capacity | 114 L (30.1 gal) | 120 L (31.7 gal) |
| Water Capacity | 189 L (49.9 gal) | 250 L (66.0 gal) |
| Accommodation | ||
| Berths | 7 | 7 |
| Cabins | 2 | 3 |
Performance Comparison
Detailed Comparison
The 1978 Bristol 40 and 2014 Elan 400 represent two takes on sloop-rigged sailing. The 1978 Bristol 40 is a 1970s design by Bristol from USA, while the 2014 Elan 400 is a modern offering from Elan from Slovenia. The 1978 Bristol 40 was penned by Ted Hood. The 2014 Elan 400 was designed by Rob Humphreys.
In terms of size, the 1978 Bristol 40 measures 12.19m (40.0ft) overall with a beam of 3.35m, compared to the 2014 Elan 400 at 12.07m (39.6ft) with a 3.90m beam. The 1978 Bristol 40 is 0.12m longer than the 2014 Elan 400. The 2014 Elan 400 displaces approximately 0% 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 2014 Elan 400, with an SA/D of 18.99 and 76.0 m² of canvas, offers good sail power for versatile performance. The 2014 Elan 400 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 2014 Elan 400 has a comfort ratio of 17.1 and a capsize screening value of 0.77. The ballast ratios are 41.7% for the 1978 Bristol 40 and 31.7% for the 2014 Elan 400, 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 2014 Elan 400 offers 7 berths in 3 cabins with 250L water and 120L 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 2014 Elan 400 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 · 2014 Elan 400