Designed by the legendary Ted Hood and built by Bristol Yachts beginning in 1968, this classic 32-footer represents the epitome of traditional New England yacht construction and design philosophy. Hood's expertise in both sailmaking and yacht design is evident throughout this masthead sloop, which combines seaworthiness with practical cruising capabilities. The Bristol 31 XL features a moderate fin keel with rudder mounted on a skeg, providing excellent directional stability and predictable handling characteristics that inspire confidence in various conditions. With a displacement of 10,600 pounds and 3,500 pounds of ballast, she offers the substantial feel and stability that made Bristol yachts highly regarded among serious cruising sailors. Her comfort ratio of 33.1 indicates excellent motion comfort for extended passages, while the capsize screening formula of 1.72 suggests good stability for coastal and offshore work. The hull speed of 6.29 knots and SA/Displacement ratio of 14.81 point to moderate performance that prioritizes comfort and safety over pure speed. Bristol's reputation for quality fiberglass construction and attention to detail made these boats particularly popular among cruising families seeking a reliable, well-built vessel capable of handling serious coastal cruising and occasional offshore passages with confidence and comfort.
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What is the Bristol 31 Xl's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Bristol 31 Xl has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 14.81. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Bristol 31 Xl's comfort ratio?
The Bristol 31 Xl has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 33.1. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Bristol 31 Xl safe for offshore sailing?
The Bristol 31 Xl has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 1.72. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Bristol 31 Xl?
The theoretical hull speed of the Bristol 31 Xl is 6.29 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Bristol 31 Xl weigh?
The Bristol 31 Xl has a displacement of 10,600.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 31.83 ft.
Who designed the Bristol 31 Xl?
The Bristol 31 Xl was designed by Ted Hood, first built in 1968.