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Bristol 277
Designer: Halsey Herreshoff  ·  Builder: Bristol Yachts Inc. (Usa)  ·  First built: 1976
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About the Bristol 277

Designed by renowned naval architect Halsey Herreshoff and built by Bristol Yachts from 1976 to 1980, this 27-foot sailboat represents classic American craftsmanship from sailing's golden era. With only 45 hulls produced during its four-year production run, the Bristol 277 has become a sought-after vessel among sailors who appreciate traditional design values and quality construction. The masthead sloop rig and moderate sail area of 342 square feet provide balanced performance for coastal cruising and weekend sailing. Her fin keel with rudder on skeg configuration offers good directional stability while maintaining reasonable maneuverability in tight quarters. The substantial displacement of 7,000 pounds, combined with 2,850 pounds of ballast, creates a stable platform that handles choppy conditions with confidence. Bristol Yachts built a reputation for solid fiberglass construction and attention to detail, traits clearly evident in the 277. The boat's moderate proportions and conservative design make it well-suited for sailors seeking a reliable coastal cruiser rather than an all-out racer. Her comfortable motion and predictable handling characteristics appeal to couples or small families looking for weekend adventures or extended coastal passages along protected waters.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 27.25 ft / 8.31 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 22.50 ft / 6.86 m
Beam 10.00 ft / 3.05 m
Max Draft 4.37 ft / 1.33 m
Displacement 7,000.00 lb / 3,175 kg
Ballast 2,850.00 lb / 1,293 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 342.00 ft² / 31.77 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Halsey Herreshoff
Builder Bristol Yachts Inc. (USA)
First Built 1976
Last Built 1980
Number Built 45
Related Sailboats Hunter 27 · Cc 27 Mk Ii · Chrysler 27 · Islander 27 2 · Cape Dory 270
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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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Performance Ratios
SA/Displacement Sail Area to Displacement ratio measures how much sail power a boat has relative to its weight. Higher values mean more performance and speed.
Under 14 — Heavy cruiser, slow14–18 — Cruising sailboat18–22 — Cruiser/racerOver 22 — Performance racer
 15
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
 40.71
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
 274.35
Comfort Ratio Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio predicts how comfortable a boat will feel in offshore conditions. Higher values mean a steadier, more comfortable motion in a seaway.
Under 20 — Uncomfortably rough20–30 — Acceptable coastal30–40 — Good offshore comfortOver 40 — Very comfortable offshore
 21.05
Capsize Screening Formula The USHS Capsize Screening Formula estimates offshore capsize risk. Lower is safer — values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing.
Under 2.0 — Safe for offshore2.0–2.2 — Borderline offshoreOver 2.2 — Coastal use recommended
 2.09
Hull Speed Hull Speed is the theoretical maximum speed of a displacement hull, calculated from waterline length. Most cruising sailboats reach this speed in moderate conditions. 6.36 kn
S# (Speed Number) The Speed Number (S#) is a quick performance index. Higher values indicate a faster, more powerful design relative to its size.
Under 3.0 — Slow cruiser3.0–5.0 — Average cruiser5.0–7.0 — Performance cruiserOver 7.0 — Racer
 1.78
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. 803.95 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 15.03
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 35.50 ft / 10.82 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 10.50 ft / 3.20 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 30.50 ft / 9.30 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 10.25 ft / 3.12 m
SA Fore 186.38 ft² / 17.32 m²
SA Main 156.31 ft² / 14.52 m²
SA Total (100%) 342.69 ft² / 31.84 m²
Est. Forestay Length 37.02 ft / 11.28 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Yanmar
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 12
Fuel Capacity 19 gals / 72 L
Water Capacity 63 gals / 238 L
How It Compares

vs. Cape Dory 270, Cc 27 Mk Ii, Chrysler 27, Hunter 27, Islander 27 2

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Bristol 277 ★
27.3 ft
Cape Dory 270
27.3 ft
Cc 27 Mk Ii
27.3 ft
Chrysler 27
27.3 ft
Hunter 27
27.2 ft
Islander 27 2
27.3 ft
LWL
Bristol 277 ★
22.5 ft
Cape Dory 270
20.8 ft
Cc 27 Mk Ii
21.0 ft
Chrysler 27
25.5 ft
Hunter 27
22.0 ft
Islander 27 2
23.0 ft
Beam
Bristol 277 ★
10.0 ft
Cape Dory 270
9.4 ft
Cc 27 Mk Ii
9.9 ft
Chrysler 27
9.9 ft
Hunter 27
9.2 ft
Islander 27 2
8.3 ft
Displacement
Bristol 277 ★
7 lbs
Cape Dory 270
8 lbs
Cc 27 Mk Ii
5 lbs
Chrysler 27
8 lbs
Hunter 27
7 lbs
Islander 27 2
4 lbs
Ballast
Bristol 277 ★
2 lbs
Cape Dory 270
3 lbs
Cc 27 Mk Ii
2 lbs
Chrysler 27
3 lbs
Hunter 27
3 lbs
Islander 27 2
1 lbs
Sail Area
Bristol 277 ★
342 sq ft
Cape Dory 270
398 sq ft
Cc 27 Mk Ii
373 sq ft
Chrysler 27
404 sq ft
Hunter 27
303 sq ft
Islander 27 2
285 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Bristol 277 ★
—
Cape Dory 270
219 s/nm
Cc 27 Mk Ii
—
Chrysler 27
168 s/nm
Hunter 27
213 s/nm
Islander 27 2
—
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Bristol 277 ★
15.0
Cape Dory 270
15.5
Cc 27 Mk Ii
19.2
Chrysler 27
16.2
Hunter 27
13.2
Islander 27 2
17.2
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Bristol 277 ★
40.7 %
Cape Dory 270
—
Cc 27 Mk Ii
45.7 %
Chrysler 27
48.8 %
Hunter 27
42.9 %
Islander 27 2
—
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Bristol 277 ★
21.1
Cape Dory 270
28.8
Cc 27 Mk Ii
17.5
Chrysler 27
22.4
Hunter 27
—
Islander 27 2
16.4
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Bristol 277 ★
2.09
Cape Dory 270
1.86
Cc 27 Mk Ii
2.25
Chrysler 27
1.99
Hunter 27
—
Islander 27 2
2.04
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Bristol 277 ★
274
Cape Dory 270
—
Cc 27 Mk Ii
265
Chrysler 27
215
Hunter 27
293
Islander 27 2
—
Hull Speed
Bristol 277 ★
6.4 kts
Cape Dory 270
6.1 kts
Cc 27 Mk Ii
6.1 kts
Chrysler 27
6.8 kts
Hunter 27
—
Islander 27 2
6.4 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Bristol 277 ★
1.8
Cape Dory 270
1.0
Cc 27 Mk Ii
2.2
Chrysler 27
2.4
Hunter 27
—
Islander 27 2
3.3
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