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Bristol 26
Designer: Halsey Herreshoff  ·  Builder: Sailstar/Bristol Yachts, Inc. (Usa)  ·  First built: 1968
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About the Bristol 26

Bristol Yachts built a reputation for producing well-crafted fiberglass sailboats during their heyday, and the Bristol 26 exemplifies the company's commitment to quality construction and traditional sailing characteristics. This mid-sized cruiser represents the classic American approach to sailboat design from an era when builders prioritized solid construction over lightweight racing performance. The Bristol 26 appeals primarily to coastal cruisers and daysailers who value reliable handling and sturdy build quality. Like other Bristol models, this boat likely features the company's characteristic attention to detail in both construction and finish work. The design emphasizes comfort and seaworthiness over pure speed, making it well-suited for weekend getaways and extended coastal exploration. Given Bristol's design philosophy, the 26 probably offers a practical interior layout with efficient use of space, comfortable accommodations for its size, and the kind of solid feel underfoot that Bristol owners have come to expect. While not designed for serious offshore work or competitive racing, this boat serves well as a dependable platform for learning seamanship and enjoying relaxed sailing adventures in protected and semi-protected waters.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 26.00 ft / 7.92 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 21.83 ft / 6.65 m
Beam 8.00 ft / 2.44 m
Max Draft 3.82 ft / 1.16 m
Displacement 5,700.00 lb / 2,585 kg
Ballast 2,400.00 lb / 1,089 kg
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Halsey Herreshoff
Builder Sailstar/Bristol Yachts, Inc. (USA)
First Built 1968
Last Built 1978
Number Built 234
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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
219
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
42.11
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
244.61
Pounds/Inch Immersion Pounds per Inch Immersion (PPI) tells you how much weight is needed to sink the boat one inch. Useful for calculating how additional gear and stores affect waterline. 3.74 pounds/inch
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 16.45
J (Foretriangle Base) 10.50 ft / 3.20 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 327.00 ft² / 30.38 m²
E (Mainsail Foot) 244.61
How It Compares

vs. Chrysler 26 Fk, Ericson 26 Crealock, Yankee 26

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Bristol 26 ★
26.0 ft
Chrysler 26 Fk
26.0 ft
Ericson 26 Crealock
26.0 ft
Yankee 26
26.0 ft
LWL
Bristol 26 ★
21.8 ft
Chrysler 26 Fk
22.0 ft
Ericson 26 Crealock
21.4 ft
Yankee 26
20.7 ft
Beam
Bristol 26 ★
8.0 ft
Chrysler 26 Fk
8.0 ft
Ericson 26 Crealock
7.8 ft
Yankee 26
8.7 ft
Displacement
Bristol 26 ★
5 lbs
Chrysler 26 Fk
5 lbs
Ericson 26 Crealock
4 lbs
Yankee 26
5 lbs
Ballast
Bristol 26 ★
2 lbs
Chrysler 26 Fk
2 lbs
Ericson 26 Crealock
1 lbs
Yankee 26
2 lbs
Sail Area
Bristol 26 ★
Chrysler 26 Fk
257 sq ft
Ericson 26 Crealock
300 sq ft
Yankee 26
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Bristol 26 ★
219 s/nm
Chrysler 26 Fk
Ericson 26 Crealock
Yankee 26
228 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Bristol 26 ★
Chrysler 26 Fk
13.2
Ericson 26 Crealock
17.9
Yankee 26
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Bristol 26 ★
42.1 %
Chrysler 26 Fk
43.6 %
Ericson 26 Crealock
38.6 %
Yankee 26
40.3 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Bristol 26 ★
Chrysler 26 Fk
23.0
Ericson 26 Crealock
19.5
Yankee 26
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Bristol 26 ★
Chrysler 26 Fk
1.82
Ericson 26 Crealock
1.89
Yankee 26
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Bristol 26 ★
244
Chrysler 26 Fk
230
Ericson 26 Crealock
199
Yankee 26
269
Hull Speed
Bristol 26 ★
Chrysler 26 Fk
6.3 kts
Ericson 26 Crealock
6.2 kts
Yankee 26
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Bristol 26 ★
Chrysler 26 Fk
1.6
Ericson 26 Crealock
2.8
Yankee 26
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