The Bristol 24 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages.
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 18.1′, the Bristol 24 tops out around 5.7 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √18.1′ LWL = 5.7 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
14.5
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
50.7%
Race-oriented ballast ratio — very stiff and powerful.
Displacement / Length
447
Heavy displacement — a slow, steady, seakindly hull.
Comfort Ratio
28.6
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.77
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
517lbs
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
28.6
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.77
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 24 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Pacific Seacraft 25 1
234s/nm
Oday 25
239s/nm
Cape Dory 25
261s/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° |
2.1 |
2.7 |
3.0 |
3.1 |
| Close Reach60° |
2.6 |
3.2 |
3.6 |
3.8 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.1 |
4.0 |
4.4 |
4.6 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
2.9 |
3.7 |
4.1 |
4.3 |
| Run150–180° |
2.3 |
2.9 |
3.3 |
3.4 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (5.7 kts),
SA/D (14.5), 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 24 — 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 24.
|
Bristol 24 |
Cape Dory 25 |
East Wind 24 |
Meridian 25 Seafarer |
Oday 25 |
Pacific Seacraft 25 1 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
24.6 |
24.8 |
24.6 |
24.8 |
24.8 |
24.5 |
| LWL |
18.1 |
18.0 |
20.0 |
17.5 |
21.0 |
21.0 |
| Beam |
8.0 |
7.3 |
7.1 |
7.0 |
8.0 |
8.0 |
| Displacement |
5 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
| Ballast |
3 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
| Sail Area |
296 |
264 |
316 |
277 |
270 |
236 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
261 |
— |
— |
239 |
234 |
| SA/Disp |
14.5 |
16.8 |
18.3 |
15.1 |
17.2 |
13.4 |
| Bal/Disp |
50.7 |
42.5 |
43.5 |
— |
— |
36.8 |
| Comfort |
28.6 |
22.0 |
24.5 |
29.8 |
17.5 |
20.9 |
| Capsize |
1.77 |
1.83 |
1.71 |
1.63 |
2.02 |
1.91 |
| Hull Speed |
5.7 |
5.7 |
6.0 |
5.6 |
6.1 |
6.1 |