Designed by the renowned Halsey Herreshoff and built by Bristol Yachts from 1977 to 1986, this 30-foot sailboat represents classic American craftsmanship during the height of the fiberglass cruising boat era. With 216 hulls launched over nearly a decade of production, the Bristol 299 earned a solid reputation among coastal cruisers seeking a well-built, seaworthy vessel. The boat's traditional lines belie its modern fin keel and skeg-hung rudder configuration, which provides excellent directional stability while maintaining good upwind performance. At 8,650 pounds displacement with 3,600 pounds of ballast, she offers the substantial feel that Bristol boats were known for, contributing to her comfort ratio of 23.61. The masthead sloop rig carries 391 square feet of sail area, delivering respectable performance for coastal cruising and weekend sailing. Her moderate beam of just over 10 feet and 4.33-foot draft make the Bristol 299 well-suited for exploring shallow harbors and anchorages along the coast. The capsize screening formula of 1.98 indicates good stability characteristics for protected and semi-protected waters. With thoughtful interior arrangements typical of Bristol's attention to detail, this boat appeals to sailors seeking a comfortable, well-mannered cruiser with proven offshore capabilities for extended coastal passages.
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- Condition, year, location, and included equipment are not factored in.
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What is the Bristol 299's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Bristol 299 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 14.89. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Bristol 299's comfort ratio?
The Bristol 299 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 23.61. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Bristol 299 safe for offshore sailing?
The Bristol 299 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 1.98. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Bristol 299?
The theoretical hull speed of the Bristol 299 is 6.56 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Bristol 299 weigh?
The Bristol 299 has a displacement of 8,650.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 29.92 ft.
How much does a used Bristol 299 cost?
Based on 4 recent market listings, used Bristol 299 sailboats typically sell for between $9,500 and $24,900, with a median asking price of $18,200. Price varies significantly based on year, condition, location, and included equipment.
Who designed the Bristol 299?
The Bristol 299 was designed by Halsey Herreshoff, first built in 1977.