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Sailboat Specifications

Bristol 488

Masthead Sloop · Keel/Cbrd.

Designed by Ted Hood · Built by Bristol Yachts Inc. (Usa) · First built 1989

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LOA 49.00 ft  ·  Beam 13.17 ft  ·  Displacement 34,660.00 lb  ·  Sail Area 1011  ·  Masthead Sloop  ·  Keel/Cbrd.
About the Bristol 488 Sailboat

Bristol Yachts built their reputation on creating well-constructed cruising sailboats, and while detailed specifications for the Bristol 488 remain scarce, this model likely continues that tradition of quality construction and thoughtful design that characterized the Rhode Island builder's fleet. Given Bristol's typical approach to yacht design during their active years, the 488 would have been positioned as a serious cruising vessel suitable for coastal and offshore passages. Bristol consistently focused on creating boats that balanced comfort with seaworthiness, emphasizing solid fiberglass construction and practical layouts that appealed to cruising sailors who valued reliability over racing performance. The limited availability of comprehensive specifications suggests this may have been a less common model in Bristol's lineup, or possibly represented a transitional design during the company's evolution. Bristol boats from this era typically featured moderate displacement hulls with comfortable accommodations below, making them well-suited for extended cruising and liveaboard situations. For prospective buyers researching this model, the Bristol name generally carries positive associations with build quality and long-term durability, though individual boat condition and maintenance history would be particularly important factors to evaluate given the limited documentation available for this specific model.

Dimensions & Specifications
LOA (Length Overall) 49.00 ft / 14.94 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 37.25 ft / 11.35 m
Beam 13.17 ft / 4.01 m
Max Draft 11.00 ft / 3.35 m
Min Draft 4.92
Displacement 34,660.00 lb / 15,722 kg
Ballast 15,000.00 lb / 6,804 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 1011
Design & Construction
Hull Type Keel/Cbrd.
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Ted Hood
Builder Bristol Yachts Inc. (USA)
First Built 1989
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Bristol 488's sail area to displacement ratio?

The Bristol 488 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 15.28. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.

What is the Bristol 488's comfort ratio?

The Bristol 488 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 42.41. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.

Is the Bristol 488 safe for offshore sailing?

The Bristol 488 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 1.62. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.

What is the hull speed of the Bristol 488?

The theoretical hull speed of the Bristol 488 is 8.18 knots, calculated from its waterline length.

How much does a Bristol 488 weigh?

The Bristol 488 has a displacement of 34,660.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 49.00 ft.

Who designed the Bristol 488?

The Bristol 488 was designed by Ted Hood, first built in 1989.