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Bristol 311
Designer: Ted Hood  ·  Builder: Bristol Yachts Inc. (Usa)  ·  First built: 1983
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About the Bristol 311

Designed by the legendary Ted Hood and built by Bristol Yachts beginning in 1983, this 31-footer represents classic American cruising boat design from the era when quality construction and seaworthiness were paramount. Hood's expertise in both sailmaking and yacht design shines through in the 311's well-balanced proportions and thoughtful layout. The Bristol 311 features a moderate fin keel with rudder mounted on a skeg, providing excellent directional stability while maintaining good maneuverability. With a displacement of 11,200 pounds and 4,500 pounds of ballast, she offers the substantial feel and seakindly motion that Bristol boats became known for. The masthead sloop rig carries 455 square feet of sail area, delivering respectable performance while remaining manageable for a small crew. This design excels as a coastal cruiser and weekend sailor, with the capability for extended offshore passages when properly equipped. The moderate comfort ratio of 29.6 indicates good motion in seaways, while the capsize screening value of 1.82 suggests reasonable stability for offshore work. Bristol's reputation for solid fiberglass construction and attention to detail makes the 311 an attractive choice for sailors seeking a well-built, traditional cruising boat that can handle both day sailing and serious coastal exploration.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 31.00 ft / 9.45 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 24.75 ft / 7.54 m
Beam 10.17 ft / 3.10 m
Max Draft 5.30 ft / 1.62 m
Displacement 11,200.00 lb / 5,080 kg
Ballast 4,500.00 lb / 2,041 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 455.00 ft² / 42.27 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 1983
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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
 14.59
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
 40.18
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
 329.8
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
 29.6
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
 1.82
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. 6.67 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
 1.36
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. 899.38 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. 14.58
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 40.80 ft / 12.44 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 13.50 ft / 4.11 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 34.80 ft / 10.61 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 10.30 ft / 3.14 m
SA Fore 275.40 ft² / 25.59 m²
SA Main 179.22 ft² / 16.65 m²
SA Total (100%) 454.62 ft² / 42.24 m²
Est. Forestay Length 42.98 ft / 13.10 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Universal
Engine Model 18
Engine Type Diesel
Horsepower 14
Fuel Capacity 18 gals / 68 L
Water Capacity 65 gals / 246 L
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