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Bristol 355
Designer: Ted Hood  ·  Builder: Bristol Yachts Inc.  ·  First built: 1978
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About the Bristol 355

Bristol Yachts built the 355 during an era when the Rhode Island manufacturer was establishing itself as a premier builder of quality fiberglass cruising sailboats. This mid-sized cruiser embodies the classic Bristol approach to yacht construction, emphasizing solid build quality and traditional sailing characteristics over cutting-edge performance. With its moderate proportions, the 355 strikes a balance between coastal cruising comfort and offshore capability. The design reflects Bristol's commitment to creating boats that inspire confidence in a variety of conditions, making it well-suited for weekend getaways and extended coastal passages alike. The hull form suggests comfortable motion at sea while maintaining reasonable performance under sail. Bristol's reputation for meticulous attention to detail and robust construction methods likely carried through to the 355, as the company was known for using quality materials and proven building techniques. The boat would appeal to sailors seeking a traditional cruising experience with the security that comes from Bristol's established pedigree in yacht construction. While detailed specifications remain limited, the 355 represents Bristol's philosophy of creating seaworthy vessels that prioritize sailing pleasure and long-term reliability over pure speed.

Market Price Estimate Beta
$33,900 – $49,900
typical asking price
Median $39,500  ·  7 listings used
All listings
$33,900 – $49,900 7
Rate a listing price
$
About this estimate
  • Prices are based on recent asking prices from public listings — not actual sale prices, which are typically lower.
  • Condition is not factored in. A well-maintained boat with new sails and engine can be worth significantly more than a project boat of the same model.
  • Location affects price. Boats in landlocked states or areas with fewer buyers often sell for less than those on the coast.
  • Year of manufacture is not filtered. Older examples of this model will generally be priced lower than newer ones.
  • Included equipment varies widely. A boat with a full suite of electronics, dodger, and new standing rigging may command a large premium.
  • Outliers are automatically excluded using statistical filtering to improve accuracy, but some bad data may remain.
Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 35.50 ft / 10.82 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 27.50 ft / 8.38 m
Beam 10.83 ft / 3.30 m
Max Draft 5.75 ft / 1.75 m
Displacement 15,000.00 lb / 6,804 kg
Ballast 6,500.00 lb / 2,948 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 602.00 ft² / 55.93 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin with rudder on skeg
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG/balsa cored deck
Designer Ted Hood
Builder Bristol Yachts Inc.
First Built 1978
Last Built 1996
Owner Reviews

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Known Issues & What to Watch For

No known issues documented for this model yet.

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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
15.89
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
32.47
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
1.76
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. 7.03
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
1.51
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. 1.0
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 47.0
J (Foretriangle Base) 15.0
P (Mainsail Luff) 40.75
E (Mainsail Foot) 12.25
SA Fore 352.5
SA Main 249.59
How It Compares

vs. Catalina 350, Hunter 355 Legend, J/35

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Bristol 355 ★
35.5 ft
Catalina 350
35.5 ft
Hunter 355 Legend
35.6 ft
J/35
35.5 ft
LWL
Bristol 355 ★
27.5 ft
Catalina 350
30.5 ft
Hunter 355 Legend
29.8 ft
J/35
30.0 ft
Beam
Bristol 355 ★
10.8 ft
Catalina 350
12.5 ft
Hunter 355 Legend
11.8 ft
J/35
12.0 ft
Displacement
Bristol 355 ★
15 lbs
Catalina 350
13 lbs
Hunter 355 Legend
13 lbs
J/35
10 lbs
Ballast
Bristol 355 ★
6 lbs
Catalina 350
5 lbs
Hunter 355 Legend
4 lbs
J/35
4 lbs
Sail Area
Bristol 355 ★
602 sq ft
Catalina 350
566 sq ft
Hunter 355 Legend
569 sq ft
J/35
590 sq ft
Performance
PHRF Rating (lower = faster)
Bristol 355 ★
Catalina 350
147 s/nm
Hunter 355 Legend
J/35
72 s/nm
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Bristol 355 ★
15.9
Catalina 350
16.2
Hunter 355 Legend
16.5
J/35
19.9
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Bristol 355 ★
Catalina 350
40.9 %
Hunter 355 Legend
36.9 %
J/35
40.0 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Bristol 355 ★
32.5
Catalina 350
21.9
Hunter 355 Legend
24.0
J/35
27.5
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Bristol 355 ★
1.76
Catalina 350
2.12
Hunter 355 Legend
2.00
J/35
1.68
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Bristol 355 ★
Catalina 350
207
Hunter 355 Legend
220
J/35
130
Hull Speed
Bristol 355 ★
7.0 kts
Catalina 350
7.4 kts
Hunter 355 Legend
7.3 kts
J/35
8.5 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Bristol 355 ★
1.5
Catalina 350
Hunter 355 Legend
2.4
J/35
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