The Bristol 311 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with acceptable motion comfort for coastal passages.
Hull Speed
The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.
A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length.
With a waterline of 24.8′, the Bristol 311 tops out around 6.7 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √24.8′ LWL = 6.7 kts
Performance Ratios
Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.
SA / Displacement
14.6
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
40.2%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
330
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
29.6
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Capsize Screening
1.82
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Pounds/Inch Immersion
899lbs
Weight needed to sink the hull one inch — loading sensitivity.
Motion & Offshore Suitability
Two ratios that matter most when you're planning passages — how the boat feels in a seaway, and whether the hull geometry is suitable for open ocean.
Comfort Ratio
29.6
Acceptable coastal comfort — fine for weekends, notice the chop offshore.
Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion
20–30 — Acceptable coastal
30–40 — Good offshore comfort
Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore
Capsize Screening Formula
1.82
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
Under 2.0 — Acceptable for offshore
Over 2.0 — Coastal / protected waters
PHRF Fleet Position
Where the Bristol 311 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Heavy Cruiser 210–300
Catalina 310
177s/nm
Island Packet 31
186s/nm
Hughes 31
191s/nm
Estimated Speed by Wind
Rough boat speed estimates at different true wind speeds and points of sail — derived from hull speed, SA/D, and displacement, not measured polars.
| Point of Sail |
6 kts TWS |
10 kts TWS |
15 kts TWS |
20 kts TWS |
| Close-hauled40–50° |
2.5 |
3.1 |
3.5 |
3.6 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.0 |
3.8 |
4.2 |
4.4 |
| Beam Reach90° |
3.7 |
4.6 |
5.2 |
5.4 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
3.4 |
4.3 |
4.8 |
5.0 |
| Run150–180° |
2.7 |
3.4 |
3.8 |
4.0 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (6.7 kts),
SA/D (14.6), and empirical efficiency curves — not instrument-measured
polars. Real-world speed varies with sea state, bottom condition, sail trim, and current.
Speeds in gold approach hull speed;
bold gold means near or at hull speed.
Wind Range & Comfort Envelope
Estimated wind ranges for comfortable sailing on the Bristol 311 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.
Ghost
Sweet Spot
Reef
Heavy
0–7 kts
7–22 kts
22–32 kts
32+ kts
Ghosting
0–7 kts
Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.
Sweet Spot
7–22 kts
Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.
Time to Reef
22–32 kts
Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.
Heavy Weather
32+ kts
Storm conditions. Storm jib or bare poles. Seek shelter if coastal.
How It Compares
Side-by-side with the boats most often cross-shopped against the Bristol 311.
|
Bristol 311 |
Catalina 310 |
Hughes 31 |
Island Packet 31 |
Parker 31 |
Seafarer 31 Mkii |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
31.0 |
31.0 |
31.0 |
31.0 |
31.0 |
31.0 |
| LWL |
24.8 |
26.5 |
24.0 |
27.8 |
28.3 |
25.1 |
| Beam |
10.2 |
11.5 |
9.7 |
11.6 |
10.0 |
9.8 |
| Displacement |
11 |
10 |
9 |
11 |
7 |
10 |
| Ballast |
4 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
2 |
4 |
| Sail Area |
455 |
493 |
394 |
530 |
448 |
— |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
177 |
191 |
186 |
— |
— |
| SA/Disp |
14.6 |
16.7 |
14.5 |
17.2 |
19.7 |
— |
| Bal/Disp |
40.2 |
38.8 |
36.8 |
40.9 |
— |
47.1 |
| Comfort |
29.6 |
22.1 |
26.2 |
22.6 |
17.3 |
— |
| Capsize |
1.82 |
2.12 |
1.86 |
2.09 |
2.09 |
— |
| Hull Speed |
6.7 |
6.9 |
6.6 |
7.1 |
7.1 |
— |