star yachts bristol 32

Great choice! Your favorites are temporarily saved for this session. Sign in to save them permanently, access them on any device, and receive relevant alerts.

• Sailboat Guide

Bristol 32 is a 31 ′ 11 ″ / 9.8 m monohull sailboat designed by Ted Hood and Dieter Empacher and built by Bristol Yachts between 1966 and 1983.

• 2 / 3 Chicago, IL, US 1976 Bristol 32 $15,000 USD View
• 3 / 3 Chicago, IL, US 1976 Bristol 32 $15,000 USD View

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

Fin keel or keel/cb. Keel/CB- BU: 3.5’, BD: 7.5’. Available as sloop, yawl or ketch. Tall sloop: I: 40.0’ J: 12.58’ P: 35.1’ E: 13.5’ Yawl rig (mizzen): PY: 14.18’ EY: 5.78’

Embed this page on your own website by copying and pasting this code.

• About Sailboat Guide

©2024 Sea Time Tech, LLC

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

• Types of Sailboats
• Parts of a Sailboat
• Cruising Boats
• Small Sailboats
• Design Basics
• Sailboats under 30'
• Sailboats 30'-35
• Sailboats 35'-40'
• Sailboats 40'-45'
• Sailboats 45'-50'
• Sailboats 50'-55'
• Sailboats over 55'
• Masts & Spars
• Knots, Bends & Hitches
• The 12v Energy Equation
• Electronics & Instrumentation
• Build Your Own Boat
• Buying a Used Boat
• Choosing Accessories
• Living on a Boat
• Cruising Offshore
• Sailing in the Caribbean
• Anchoring Skills
• Sailing Authors & Their Writings
• Mary's Journal
• Nautical Terms
• Cruising Sailboats for Sale
• List your Boat for Sale Here!
• Used Sailing Equipment for Sale
• Sell Your Unwanted Gear
• Sailing eBooks: Download them here!
• Your Sailboats
• Your Sailing Stories
• Your Fishing Stories
• Advertising
• What's New?
• Chartering a Sailboat
• Cruising Yachts 30' to 35'

The Bristol 32 Sailboat Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The  Bristol 32, an ultra-heavy displacement sloop,  was designed by Ted Hood &  Dieter Empacher  and built in the USA by Bristol Yachts Inc.

Published Specification for the Bristol 32

Underwater Profile:  Long keel

Hull Material:  GRP (Fibreglass)

Length Overall:  32'0"  ( 9.8m)

Waterline Length:  22'0"  ( 6.7m)

Beam:  9'6"  ( 2.9m)

Draft:  4'8"  ( 1.4m) *

Rig Type:  Masthead sloop **

Displacement:  10,800lb (4,899kg)

Designer:  Ted Hood & Dieter Empacher

Builder:  Bristol Yachts Inc. (USA)

Year First Built:  1966

Year Last Built:  1983

Number Built:  322

* Centreboard version also available, drawing 3'6" with board up and 7'6" with it down.

** Also available as a ketch or yawl

Published Design Ratios for the Bristol 32

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio:  15.3

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio:  36.1

3. Displacement/Length Ratio:  453

4. Comfort Ratio:  33.3

5. Capsize Screening Formula:   1.7

Read more about these  Key Performance Indicators...

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Bristol 32

1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of just 15.3 suggests that the Bristol 32 will need a stiff breeze to get her going. In light conditions, unless you've got plenty of time on your hands, motor-sailing may be the way to go.

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 36.1 means that the Bristol 32 is likely to benefit from being reefed early to keep her sailing upright in a moderate breeze.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 453, tells us the Bristol 32 is firmly in the ultra-heavy displacement category. Load her up as much as you like and her performance will be hardly affected, not that it was ever startling. Few if any sailboats are built to this displacement category these days - but they remain popular with some long-distance sailors.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 33.3 suggests that crew comfort of a Bristol 32 in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a moderate bluewater cruising boat - a predictable and acceptable motion for most seasoned sailors.

5. The Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 1.7 indicates that a Bristol 32 would be a safer choice of sailboat for an ocean passage than one with a CSF of more than 2.0. 

Any Questions?

What other versions of the Bristol 32 were built?

There were three versions of the Bristol 32 built: a sloop, a yawl and a ketch. The sloop was the most common, with 322 units built between 1966 and 1983. The yawl and ketch versions had different mast heights and sail areas.

What is the accommodation like in the Bristol 32?

The Bristol 32 has a traditional layout with a V-berth forward, followed by a head compartment with a hanging locker opposite, a main saloon with settees and a fold-down table, and a galley and a quarter berth aft. The interior is finished in teak and has a classic feel.

What sail plan and rigging options are available for the Bristol 32?

As mentioned above, the Bristol 32 was available as a sloop, a yawl or a ketch. The sloop had a masthead rig with a single spreader and a roller furling genoa. The yawl and ketch had similar rigs but with shorter main masts and additional mizzen masts. The sail area varied depending on the rig type, from 43.3 m² for the sloop to 51.1 m² for the ketch.

What keel options are available for the Bristol 32?

The Bristol 32 had two keel options: a fin keel or a keel/centerboard. The fin keel had a draft of 1.4 m and a ballast of 1,769 kg. The keel/centerboard had a draft of 1.1 m with the board up and 2.3 m with the board down, and a ballast of 1,814 kg.

What is the Bristol 32 like to sail?

The Bristol 32 is a heavy displacement sailboat that is stable, comfortable and seaworthy. It is not very fast or agile, but it can handle rough weather and long passages well. It is easy to sail single-handed or with a small crew, and it has good balance and steering response. It performs best in moderate to strong winds, as it is slightly underpowered in light airs.

What is the average cost of a secondhand Bristol 32?

The average cost of a secondhand Bristol 32 depends on the condition, age, equipment and location of the boat. According to some online listings, the price range can vary from $10,000 to $40,000 USD

Is this boatbuilder still in business?

No, this boatbuilder is not still in business. Bristol Yachts was founded in 1966 by Clint Pearson, who also founded Pearson Yachts. The company produced several models of sailboats until it ceased operations in 1997 due to financial difficulties.

What other sailboats have been created by this designer?

The designer of the Bristol 32 was Ted Hood, who was also an accomplished sailor and sailmaker. He designed many other sailboats, such as the Hood 38, the Little Harbor series, the Wauquiez Hood 38, the Bristol Channel Cutter, the Robinhood series and the Ted Hood Yachts series. He also collaborated with Dieter Empacher on some designs, such as the Bristol 35.5 and the Bristol 41.1.

The above answers were drafted by sailboat-cruising.com using GPT-4 (OpenAI’s large-scale language-generation model) as a research assistant to develop source material; to the best of our knowledge,  we believe them to be accurate.

Other sailboats in the Bristol range include:

Recent Articles

'Natalya', a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 54DS for Sale

Mar 17, 24 04:07 PM

'Wahoo', a Hunter Passage 42 for Sale

Mar 17, 24 08:13 AM

Used Sailing Equipment For Sale

Feb 28, 24 05:58 AM

Here's where to:

• Find  Used Sailboats for Sale...
• Find Used Sailing Gear for Sale...
• List your Sailboat for Sale...
• List your Used Sailing Gear...
• Sign-up for our newsletter, 'The Sailboat Cruiser' ...
• Identify this month's Mystery Boat...

Our eBooks...

A few of our Most Popular Pages...

Copyright © 2024  Dick McClary  Sailboat-Cruising.com

Review of Bristol 32

Basic specs..

The Bristol 32 has been built with more than one type of keel. One option is a long keel. A long keel provide a better directional stability than a similar boat with a fin keel; on the other hand, better directional stability means also that the boat is more difficult to handle in a harbour with less space. Another option is a centerboard keel. A centerboard keel is a pivoting lifting keel, allowing to sail both coastal and inland waters.

The keel is made of lead. Compared with iron, lead has the advantage of being 44% heavier, which allows a smaller keel and hence less water resistance and higher speed.

The boat can enter even shallow marinas as the draft is just about 1.40 - 1.50 meter (4.59 - 4.89 ft) dependent on the load. See immersion rate below.

Bristol 32 is typically equipped with an inboard Volvo Penta engine at 28.0 hp (20 kW).

The transmission is a shaft drive. A shaft drive will in the long run require less maintenence than other types of drive e.g. a sail drive.

The fuel tank has a capacity of 95 liters (25 US gallons, 20 imperial gallons).

Sailing characteristics

This section covers widely used rules of thumb to describe the sailing characteristics. Please note that even though the calculations are correct, the interpretation of the results might not be valid for extreme boats.

What is Capsize Screening Formula (CSF)?

The capsize screening value for Bristol 32 is 1.56, indicating that this boat could - if evaluated by this formula alone - be accepted to participate in ocean races.

The immersion rate is defined as the weight required to sink the boat a certain level. The immersion rate for Bristol 32 is about 220 kg/cm, alternatively 1232 lbs/inch. Meaning: if you load 220 kg cargo on the boat then it will sink 1 cm. Alternatively, if you load 1232 lbs cargo on the boat it will sink 1 inch.

Sailing statistics

This section is statistical comparison with similar boats of the same category. The basis of the following statistical computations is our unique database with more than 26,000 different boat types and 350,000 data points.

What is L/B (Length Beam Ratio)?

What is SA/D (Sail Area Displacement ratio)?

Maintenance

Are your sails worn out? You might find your next sail here: Sails for Sale

If you need to renew parts of your running rig and is not quite sure of the dimensions, you may find the estimates computed below useful.

This section shown boat owner's changes, improvements, etc. Here you might find inspiration for your boat.

Do you have changes/improvements you would like to share? Upload a photo and describe what to look for.

We are always looking for new photos. If you can contribute with photos for Bristol 32 it would be a great help.

If you have any comments to the review, improvement suggestions, or the like, feel free to contact us . Criticism helps us to improve.

RETROFITS: Bristol 32

A classic, tough boat becomes a pleasure to sail with cruise-worth upgrades.

We confirmed that Bristol 32s, designed by Ted Hood, were solidly constructed, a declaration often echoed in Internet forums by past and present owners. The 17-year production run churned out 322 hulls, starting in 1966, which meant the oldest are now approaching the half-century mark. 

Hull design and sailing technology have certainly changed since the first Bristol 32s were launched, but the classic design and build quality made it a very attractive candidate for a retrofit, assuming we could find the right boat. Prices on the used boat market in 2015 ranged from $12,500 for a 1967 model with questionable engine to $39,000 for a 1983 model in turnkey condition.

A bidding war staged by a zealous Connecticut broker pushed us away from a Bristol 32 that was built in the late 1960s, and although we were disappointed, it turned out for the better. We eventually located a newer model in better shape with the gelcoat intact, showing only minor crazing and a few deep scratches. 

We had already passed on Bristol 32s still powered by the original Universal Atomic 4 gasoline engine. Replacing it with a new diesel would have escalated the retrofit budget beyond our means. As a rule of thumb, installation costs twice the engine purchase price, which for us translated to about $27,000.

We also rejected a 32 built in the mid-1970s because its Yanmar diesel was a two-cylinder rather than a three-cylinder model. Bristol 32 owners had warned us that given the sloop’s nearly 11,000-pound displacement, which would increase when loaded for cruising, the smaller engine might underperform in a stiff current or choppy sea. 

The 1979 Bristol 32 we ultimately settled on had a Yanmar freshwater-cooled 3GM-30F with fewer than 500 hours. Armed with serial numbers taken off the engine block, I called Yanmar’s customer service center and was informed that while the boat may be advertised with a 2012 engine, it was actually manufactured in 1996. A bit of detective work revealed that the most recent owner had purchased the rebuilt engine at a boat show in 2012. Fortunately, the work had been done by a certified Yanmar service center in upstate New York, and from that shop we learned the engine had been originally installed aboard a Beneteau. During its use, seawater had entered through the exhaust elbow and caused plenty of damage. Not wanting to wait for repairs, the Beneteau owner simply ordered a new engine. So that was how the rebuilt model ended up in the Bristol. 

A marine surveyor declared the engine sound, stating that if it was properly maintained, it would last another dozen years or longer. He also determined the hull and deck had no structural weaknesses or significant moisture. Clint Pearson, former owner of Bristol Yachts, constructed the 32s with molded, high-impact reinforced polyester resin, the woven roving hand laid-up with no fillers. In other words, it has a smaller chance of delaminating than other construction methods. 

Although the boat was equipped with radar, the mast bracket extended beyond the rim of the pie dish so that the jib chafed against it. The surveyor also cited trace moisture readings along the bow pulpit and advised loosening and rebedding the fittings with marine caulk. He also recommended rebedding the stanchions. The mainsail needed replacement. The hanked-on, 150% headsail was salvageable, but it would be too far off the deck at the foot if we had it re-cut for a roller furling system.

We purchased a Profurl furling system from Defender for $2,083. The Dacron mainsail with two reef points and the 135% furling jib came from Doyle Sailmakers for $2,370 and $1,892, respectively. The boat’s lazy jacks and reef lines were in good shape.  

We were content with the Edson steering wheel mounted aft in the cockpit. Earlier Bristol 32s had tillers, which explained why the primary winches were bolted forward on the coaming. Dieter Empacher, who was the chief draftsman and designer for Ted Hood in the 1960s and 1970s when Hood’s boatbuilding operations were in Marblehead, Massachusetts, confirmed as much.

“I was working in Ted’s design office. He always came in during the evening and we talked about what I had drawn,” recalled Empacher, who earlier this year sold his beloved Bristol 35.5. “Ted liked the 32. It had what was the standard profile for that time.”

The two primary winches were installed to either side of the companionway since that’s where the helmsman would be while using a tiller. The steering wheel option forced solo-sailing helmsmen to briefly leave the pedestal when tacking or trimming. 

He also noted that the Bristol 32 sails comfortably in a big sea but may be “a little too soft for bluewater sailing.” Even so, a few owners extended the transom by a foot so they could make the minimum length for the Newport-to-Bermuda Race.

Empacher agreed with our marine surveyor that a sloop with minor modifications could easily handle sailing from New England to Florida, then passage to the Caribbean. “This boat wasn’t built as a daysailer,” he said. “It’s a cruising boat.”

And that’s exactly what we had in mind: classic design, full-keel rather than centerboard, medium draft, tough build and upgraded with equipment that would make it a pleasure to sail.

With the boat’s title in hand, we rebedded the bow pulpit and stanchions, then replaced the scupper drain hoses, the tired mainsheet, jib sheets, frayed main halyard, jib halyard, topping lift and boomvang control line. The caulk amounted to $25, the new sheets and lines were $750, and the drain hoses $40, all from  West Marine. 

We sanded and varnished the teak toerails, coaming trim and coachroof grabrails, using a quart of StarBrite teak cleaner and a can of Epifanes gloss clear varnish. Sensing possible futility, instead of varnish we chose to apply StarBrite Premium Gold Teak Oil to the custom cockpit sole. The brightwork required $100 in materials plus brushes, sandpaper and several hours of sweat equity.

Although the engine didn’t require repair, we changed the oil, replaced the Racor water separator in the fuel line, the impeller, oil filter and two belts. The total for parts was $175 purchased from a Yanmar dealer.

While the boat was slung for a bottom inspection, we had the yard install a Raymarine i40 Bi-Data depthsounder and transducer, which cost $270 plus $180 labor. One of the boat’s two batteries was replaced with a 12-volt Duralast marine battery from an auto supply store. We also purchased a Victron Energy BMV dual battery voltage monitor for $207 and installed it in the saloon. As part of the electrical upgrade, we added a Ganz flexible marine solar panel for $148, to trickle charge the batteries.

The boat lacked a fuel gauge but Bristol 32 owners we spoke with convinced us to stick with the present system of using a wooden stick to measure the diesel level in the tank. A bigger interior upgrade came in the form of a new ENO Open Sea two-burner stove that came in just under $1,000.

A big issue that needed to be immediately rectified was the lack of a holding tank and Y-valve diverter for the head. Installing a new holding tank was problematic for a variety of reasons, not the least of which was space constraints. We ended up designating one of the two water tanks under the V-berth as a holding tank and installed a Jabsco Y-valve from Jamestown Distributors for $64. 

The boat’s ICOM VHF base unit radio was crackling and temperamental so we replaced it with a Uniden two-way from a big box electronics store for $110. We were able to repair the cockpit plug-in for the remote microphone.

The retrofit concluded with installing the required sacrificial zincs under the waterline, and for good measure we tossed a fresh oil-absorbing sock into the bilge. The total cost of these items was $55. The six-person Zodiac life raft was expired but we had it repacked for $1,000.

We had hoped to install refrigeration and an autopilot, but limited funds left us with the roomy icebox and a manual wheel-lock knob on the pedestal. The addition of these two features would have pushed the purchase and refit total to over $40,000. Instead, we were able to keep the total cost to a bit over our original $35,000 budget.

1.   Dacron mainsail with two reefs: $2,370 

2.   Furling 135% Dacron jib: $1,892

3.   Profurl roller-reefing system: $2,083 

4.   Marine caulk: $25 

5.   Mainsheet, jibsheet, main halyard, jib halyard, boom vang line, topping lift: $750 

6.   Scupper drain hose: $40 

7.   StarBrite teak cleaner: $16

8.   Epifanes gloss clear varnish: $36

9.   StarBrite Premium Gold Teak Oil: $34

10. Impeller, Fram oil filter, Racor fuel-water separator, two belts: $175 

11. Raymarine Bi-Data depthsounder and transducer plus installation: $450   

12. Two Lewmar EVO 30 ST self-tailing winches: $1,945

13.12-volt Duralast marine battery: $114

14. Victron Energy BMV dual battery voltage monitor: $207

15. Ganz flexible marine solar panel: $148

16. ENO Open Sea two-burner stove and oven: $1,000

17.  Jabsco Y-valve diverter: $64

18. Uniden two-way VHF marine base unit radio: $110 

19. Oil absorbent sock and sacrificial zincs: $55 

20. Repack and recertify six-person life raft: $1,000 

Retrofit total:  $12,514

1979 Bristol 32

Purchase price: $24,500

Materials: $12,514

Refit is 51% of purchase price

Total price after refit: $37,014

Defender, www.defender.com , 800-628-8225

Doyle Sailmakers,   www.doylesails.com , 800-943-6953

Hamilton Marine, www.hamiltonmarine.com , 800-639-2715

Jamestown Distributors, www.jamestowndistributors.com , 800-497-0010

West Marine, www.westmarine.com , 800-262-8464

Yanmar,   http://us.yanmar.com , 800-872-2867

Also in Retrofits

• RETROFITS: Manta 42 MkII
• RETROFITS: Catalina 36 MkII
• Our annual guide to retrofitting
• Marshall 22 Catboat
• Swan 46 MK I
• Bayfield 25
• Beneteau Oceanis 430

Also from David Liscio

• Chasing a dream
• The wide, wide world of multihulls
• Flares are expired. Now what?
• Saved from the scrap heap
• Hunter Passage 42
• Pearson Rhodes 41
• Pedal to the Medal

Combines experience with youthful enthusiasm

"27ft cruising launch"

Member of Wooden Boatbuilders Trade Association

This fantastic looking boat has been styled on the examples of the glory days of this type, the 1920's and 30's. Andrew Wolstenholme did a magnificent job in creating this sensuous shape of flowing curves. Her ride is extremely smooth thanks to the sharp entry, whereas the flat run with a slight hollow aft prevents her from digging in her stern.

The first boat is fitted with an economical 52 hp turbo diesel for a respectable 12 knots maximum speed for use both on the Thames and occasional coastal holidays. If the intention is to use this launch mainly on inland waterways, then a smaller 38 hp engine and smaller propeller with a resulting lesser draft is perfectly adequate. A bigger engine and higher speed is possible, but for a 20 knots performance the hull shape needs adapting in the style of the Bristol 32 with a spray rail and adapted underwater shape.

The accommodation of this boat has the following layout: In the bows is a separate roomy heads with sink. Through the escape hatch the anchor can be handled in case of rough weather. The cabin has got a port and starboard bunk, to be converted to a double bed. Aft of these is a compact galley on one side, a hanging locker on the other.

The cockpit of this first Bristol 27 is designed for cruising with only a small party in mind, keeping it as spacious as possible under normal circumstances. For dining with extra guests, when the table on the engine cover is completely extended, extra seats can be added, taking the capacity up to 8 or even 10 people.

As usual with our boats, every one of them is built to order, and as such every boat is fitted out to the specific requirements of the future owner. This concerns layout of cabin and cockpit, engine size, choice of materials, etc. And if this does not fit into the boat here, we have another one designed around it!

On our Star Yachts Facebook page is a full set of photographs, with a better view of her interior.

For those of you who doubt her sea potential: we can testify personally to impeccable performances in a very blustery Solent, and glowing reports of the owner, again not always in the easiest of circumstances, from the Cornish and Devon coast.

Read review articles of the Bristol 27 :

Watercraft Magazine

Classic Boat