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Bristol 31 Xl
Designer: Ted Hood  ·  Builder: Bristol Yachts, Inc. (Usa)  ·  First built: 1968
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About the Bristol 31 Xl

Designed by the legendary Ted Hood and built by Bristol Yachts beginning in 1968, this classic 32-footer represents the epitome of traditional New England yacht construction and design philosophy. Hood's expertise in both sailmaking and yacht design is evident throughout this masthead sloop, which combines seaworthiness with practical cruising capabilities. The Bristol 31 XL features a moderate fin keel with rudder mounted on a skeg, providing excellent directional stability and predictable handling characteristics that inspire confidence in various conditions. With a displacement of 10,600 pounds and 3,500 pounds of ballast, she offers the substantial feel and stability that made Bristol yachts highly regarded among serious cruising sailors. Her comfort ratio of 33.1 indicates excellent motion comfort for extended passages, while the capsize screening formula of 1.72 suggests good stability for coastal and offshore work. The hull speed of 6.29 knots and SA/Displacement ratio of 14.81 point to moderate performance that prioritizes comfort and safety over pure speed. Bristol's reputation for quality fiberglass construction and attention to detail made these boats particularly popular among cruising families seeking a reliable, well-built vessel capable of handling serious coastal cruising and occasional offshore passages with confidence and comfort.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 31.83 ft / 9.70 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 22.00 ft / 6.71 m
Beam 9.42 ft / 2.87 m
Max Draft 5.00 ft / 1.52 m
Displacement 10,600.00 lb / 4,808 kg
Ballast 3,500.00 lb / 1,588 kg
Ballast Type Iron
Sail Area (Reported) 445.00 ft² / 41.34 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Ted Hood
Builder Bristol Yachts, Inc. (USA)
First Built 1968
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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
14.81
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
33.02
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
444.42
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
33.1
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
1.72
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. 6.29 kn
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. 740.49 pounds/inch
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Universal
Engine Model Atomic 4
Engine Type Gas
How It Compares

vs. Contest 32 Cs, Islander 32 2, Morgan 32, Paceship 32 Tripp, Pearson 32

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Bristol 31 Xl ★
31.8 ft
Contest 32 Cs
31.8 ft
Islander 32 2
32.0 ft
Morgan 32
31.9 ft
Paceship 32 Tripp
31.8 ft
Pearson 32
31.8 ft
LWL
Bristol 31 Xl ★
22.0 ft
Contest 32 Cs
25.7 ft
Islander 32 2
25.0 ft
Morgan 32
25.0 ft
Paceship 32 Tripp
23.0 ft
Pearson 32
25.0 ft
Beam
Bristol 31 Xl ★
9.4 ft
Contest 32 Cs
10.9 ft
Islander 32 2
11.1 ft
Morgan 32
11.5 ft
Paceship 32 Tripp
10.2 ft
Pearson 32
10.5 ft
Displacement
Bristol 31 Xl ★
10 lbs
Contest 32 Cs
14 lbs
Islander 32 2
10 lbs
Morgan 32
11 lbs
Paceship 32 Tripp
10 lbs
Pearson 32
9 lbs
Ballast
Bristol 31 Xl ★
3 lbs
Contest 32 Cs
6 lbs
Islander 32 2
3 lbs
Morgan 32
4 lbs
Paceship 32 Tripp
2 lbs
Pearson 32
3 lbs
Sail Area
Bristol 31 Xl ★
445 sq ft
Contest 32 Cs
Islander 32 2
468 sq ft
Morgan 32
493 sq ft
Paceship 32 Tripp
Pearson 32
475 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Bristol 31 Xl ★
Contest 32 Cs
Islander 32 2
Morgan 32
186 s/nm
Paceship 32 Tripp
Pearson 32
159 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Bristol 31 Xl ★
14.8
Contest 32 Cs
Islander 32 2
15.7
Morgan 32
16.0
Paceship 32 Tripp
Pearson 32
17.1
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Bristol 31 Xl ★
33.0 %
Contest 32 Cs
44.6 %
Islander 32 2
30.5 %
Morgan 32
Paceship 32 Tripp
24.5 %
Pearson 32
40.4 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Bristol 31 Xl ★
33.1
Contest 32 Cs
Islander 32 2
24.3
Morgan 32
24.3
Paceship 32 Tripp
Pearson 32
23.5
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Bristol 31 Xl ★
1.72
Contest 32 Cs
Islander 32 2
2.03
Morgan 32
2.07
Paceship 32 Tripp
Pearson 32
1.99
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Bristol 31 Xl ★
444
Contest 32 Cs
377
Islander 32 2
300
Morgan 32
Paceship 32 Tripp
388
Pearson 32
268
Hull Speed
Bristol 31 Xl ★
6.3 kts
Contest 32 Cs
Islander 32 2
6.7 kts
Morgan 32
6.7 kts
Paceship 32 Tripp
Pearson 32
6.7 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Bristol 31 Xl ★
Contest 32 Cs
Islander 32 2
1.7
Morgan 32
1.6
Paceship 32 Tripp
Pearson 32
2.0
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