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.
No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.
No known issues documented for this model yet.
Own or have surveyed a Bristol 31 Xl? Submit a known issue
vs. Contest 32 Cs, Islander 32 2, Morgan 32, Paceship 32 Tripp, Pearson 32