What is the Bristol 33's sail area to displacement ratio?

The Bristol 33 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 13.76. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.

What is the Bristol 33's comfort ratio?

The Bristol 33 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 31.46. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.

Is the Bristol 33 safe for offshore sailing?

The Bristol 33 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 1.76. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.

What is the hull speed of the Bristol 33?

The theoretical hull speed of the Bristol 33 is 6.84 kn knots, calculated from its waterline length.

How much does a Bristol 33 weigh?

The Bristol 33 has a displacement of 12,800.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 33.58 ft.

How much does a used Bristol 33 cost?

Based on 2 recent market listings, used Bristol 33 sailboats typically sell for between $8,500 and $8,500, with a median asking price of $8,500. Price varies significantly based on year, condition, location, and included equipment.

Who designed the Bristol 33?

The Bristol 33 was designed by Halsey C. Herreshoff, first built in 1968.

Bristol 33 Performance — PHRF Rating, Hull Speed & Sailing Characteristics

The Bristol 33 is modestly canvassed and unhurried, with a steady, comfortable ride offshore, designed for cruising comfort rather than racing.

Hull Speed

The theoretical displacement-mode speed limit — determined by waterline length, not engine or sail power.

6.8 kts

A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length. With a waterline of 26.1′, the Bristol 33 tops out around 6.8 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.

1.34 × √26.1′ LWL = 6.8 kts

Performance Ratios

Racing handicap, sail-carrying power, stability and comfort — and what each one actually tells you about a day on the water.

PHRF Rating

180s/nm

Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.

SA / Displacement

13.8

Modestly canvassed — a comfortable, unhurried cruiser.

Ballast / Displacement

39.8%

Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.

Displacement / Length

322

Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.

Comfort Ratio

31.5

Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.

Capsize Screening

1.76

Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.

Hull Speed

6.8kts

S# (Speed Number)

1.4

Pounds/Inch Immersion

955lbs

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

31.5

Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.

Under 20 — Snappy, racing motion

20–30 — Acceptable coastal

30–40 — Good offshore comfort

Over 40 — Very comfortable offshore

Capsize Screening Formula

1.76

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 33 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.

Racer 0–90

Cruiser/Racer 90–150

Cruiser 150–210

Ericson 33 134s/nm

Islander 34 147s/nm

Tartan 33 153s/nm

Grampian 34 171s/nm

Bristol 33 180s/nm Typical cruiser — designed for comfort and ease, not podium finishes.

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 (6.8 kts), SA/D (13.8), 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 33 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.

Ghost

Sweet Spot

Reef

Heavy

0–8 kts 8–22 kts 22–30 kts 30+ kts

Ghosting

0–8 kts

Light air, motor-sailing likely. Need patience and a light genoa.

Sweet Spot

8–22 kts

Comfortable under full sail. Best speed-to-comfort ratio.

Time to Reef

22–30 kts

Time to shorten sail. Reef the main, swap to a working jib.

Heavy Weather

30+ 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 33.

	Bristol 33	Columbia 34 Mk Ii	Ericson 33	Grampian 34	Islander 34	Tartan 33
Dimensions
LOA	33.6	33.6	33.5	33.6	33.6	33.7
LWL	26.1	27.3	26.8	26.5	25.0	28.8
Beam	10.3	10.0	11.2	10.0	10.0	11.0
Displacement	12	12	9	12	10	10
Ballast	5	4	3	5	3	4
Sail Area	469	526	573	551	471	531
Performance
PHRF	180	—	134	171	147	153
SA/Disp	13.8	16.1	20.5	16.9	15.9	18.4
Bal/Disp	39.8	39.2	41.6	43.1	31.7	—
Comfort	31.5	29.6	20.5	30.2	27.1	21.0
Capsize	1.76	1.75	2.11	1.75	1.84	2.04
Hull Speed	6.8	7.0	6.9	6.9	6.7	7.2