Back to Search
Bristol 28
Designer: Halsey Herreshoff  ·  Builder: Bristol Yachts Inc. (Usa)  ·  First built: 1972
+ Add to Compare
Videos
About the Bristol 28

Designed by the renowned Halsey Herreshoff and built by Bristol Yachts for just three years in the early 1970s, this 28-footer represents a brief but notable chapter in American sailboat manufacturing. With only eight hulls produced between 1972 and 1974, the Bristol 28 stands as one of the rarer offerings from the respected Rhode Island builder. The boat's moderate displacement of 6,600 pounds and substantial ballast ratio create a stable platform well-suited for coastal cruising and club racing. Her fin keel with rudder on skeg configuration provides good maneuverability while maintaining directional stability, and the masthead sloop rig offers straightforward sail handling for small crews. The hull's 24-foot waterline length generates a theoretical hull speed of 6.56 knots, making her reasonably quick for weekend adventures. With a comfort ratio of 18.85, the Bristol 28 leans toward the sportier end of the cruising spectrum, suggesting she'll provide an engaging sailing experience without being overly tender. Her moderate beam and draft make her suitable for most coastal harbors, while the solid fiberglass construction typical of Bristol's reputation ensures durability. The Herreshoff pedigree adds design credibility to this uncommon but well-conceived coastal cruiser.

Market Price Estimate Beta
Small sample size. This estimate is based on fewer than 5 listings and may not be representative of the true market. Use with caution.
$89,000 – $89,000
typical asking price
Median $89,000  ·  1 listing used
All listings
$89,000 – $89,000 1
Rate a listing price
$
About this estimate
  • Prices are based on recent asking prices from public listings — not actual sale prices, which are typically lower.
  • Condition is not factored in. A well-maintained boat with new sails and engine can be worth significantly more than a project boat of the same model.
  • Location affects price. Boats in landlocked states or areas with fewer buyers often sell for less than those on the coast.
  • Year of manufacture is not filtered. Older examples of this model will generally be priced lower than newer ones.
  • Included equipment varies widely. A boat with a full suite of electronics, dodger, and new standing rigging may command a large premium.
  • Outliers are automatically excluded using statistical filtering to improve accuracy, but some bad data may remain.
Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 28.00 ft / 8.53 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 24.00 ft / 7.32 m
Beam 10.00 ft / 3.05 m
Max Draft 5.33 ft / 1.62 m
Displacement 6,600.00 lb / 2,994 kg
Ballast 3,000.00 lb / 1,361 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 371.00 ft² / 34.47 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 1972
Last Built 1974
Number Built 8
Associations Half Ton Class
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

Known Issues & What to Watch For

No known issues documented for this model yet.

Own or have surveyed a Bristol 28? Submit a known issue

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
 207
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
 16.92
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
 45.45
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
 213.14
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
 18.85
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
 2.14
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. 6.56 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
 2.54
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. 857.55 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. 16.91
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 37.50 ft / 11.43 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 11.50 ft / 3.51 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 31.00 ft / 9.45 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 10.00 ft / 3.05 m
SA Fore 215.63 ft² / 20.03 m²
SA Main 155.00 ft² / 14.40 m²
SA Total (100%) 370.63 ft² / 34.43 m²
Est. Forestay Length 39.22 ft / 11.95 m
Find a Bristol 28 For Sale
Y YachtWorld Brokerage listings S Sailboat Listings Sailboats only C Craigslist National search F Facebook Marketplace Local listings B boats.com Global marketplace