The Bristol 355 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a steady, comfortable ride offshore.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 27.5′, the Bristol 355 tops out around 7.0 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √27.5′ LWL = 7.0 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
15.9
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
43.3%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
322
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
32.5
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.76
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
1lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
32.5
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.76
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Bristol 355 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
J/35
72s/nm
Ericson 36
111s/nm
Catalina 350
147s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
2.7 |
3.4 |
3.8 |
4.0 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.3 |
4.1 |
4.6 |
4.8 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.0 |
5.1 |
5.7 |
5.9 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.7 |
4.7 |
5.2 |
5.5 |
| Run150–180° |
3.0 |
3.8 |
4.2 |
4.4 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.0 kts),
SA/D (15.9), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Bristol 355 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–22 kts
22–32 kts
32+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–22 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
22–32 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
32+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Bristol 355.
|
Bristol 355 |
Catalina 350 |
Ericson 35 3 |
Ericson 36 |
Hunter 355 Legend |
J/35 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
35.5 |
35.4 |
35.5 |
35.6 |
35.6 |
35.5 |
| LWL |
27.5 |
31.3 |
28.9 |
29.0 |
29.8 |
30.0 |
| Beam |
10.8 |
11.9 |
11.3 |
11.8 |
11.8 |
12.0 |
| Displacement |
15 |
14,013 |
13 |
11 |
13 |
10 |
| Ballast |
6 |
6,213 |
5 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
| Sail Area |
602 |
731 |
597 |
599 |
569 |
590 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
147 |
— |
111 |
— |
72 |
| SA/Disp |
15.9 |
20.1 |
17.3 |
18.8 |
16.5 |
19.9 |
| Bal/Disp |
43.3 |
44.3 |
40.0 |
45.1 |
36.9 |
40.0 |
| Comfort |
32.5 |
24.4 |
25.7 |
21.6 |
24.0 |
27.5 |
| Capsize |
1.76 |
1.98 |
1.93 |
2.09 |
2.00 |
1.68 |
| Hull Speed |
7.0 |
7.5 |
7.2 |
7.2 |
7.3 |
8.5 |