Built during Bristol Yachts' renowned era of quality fiberglass construction, this 40-footer represents the yard's commitment to creating robust cruising sailboats with traditional styling and solid performance characteristics. Bristol's reputation for building well-engineered vessels that could handle both coastal waters and longer passages made their designs popular among serious cruising sailors. The Bristol 40 embodies the classic design philosophy that prioritized seaworthiness and comfort over pure speed. Like other Bristol models from this period, the boat likely features a moderate displacement hull with good directional stability and predictable handling characteristics that inspire confidence in varying conditions. The interior typically showcases Bristol's attention to craftsmanship, with quality joinery and practical layouts designed for extended cruising. This design appeals particularly to sailors seeking a capable coastal cruiser with offshore potential. The boat's construction quality and conservative design approach make it suitable for sailors who value reliability and comfort over racing performance. While not the fastest boat in light air, the Bristol 40's steady performance and solid build quality have earned it respect among cruising sailors who appreciate traditional yacht design principles and dependable construction.
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- Based on asking prices — not actual sale prices, which are typically lower.
- Condition, year, location, and included equipment are not factored in.
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What is the Bristol 40's sail area to displacement ratio?
The Bristol 40 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 16.49. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.
What is the Bristol 40's comfort ratio?
The Bristol 40 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 36.68. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.
Is the Bristol 40 safe for offshore sailing?
The Bristol 40 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 1.66. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.
What is the hull speed of the Bristol 40?
The theoretical hull speed of the Bristol 40 is 7.03 knots, calculated from its waterline length.
How much does a Bristol 40 weigh?
The Bristol 40 has a displacement of 17,580.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 40.16 ft.
How much does a used Bristol 40 cost?
Based on 4 recent market listings, used Bristol 40 sailboats typically sell for between $33,000 and $42,000, with a median asking price of $40,750. Price varies significantly based on year, condition, location, and included equipment.
Who designed the Bristol 40?
The Bristol 40 was designed by Ted Hood, first built in 1970.