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Bristol 3800
Designer: Ted Hood  ·  Builder: Bristol Yachts Inc.  ·  First built: 1982
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About the Bristol 3800

With limited documentation available, the Bristol 3800 represents one of the more elusive models from Bristol Yachts' distinguished lineup. Bristol's reputation for building robust, well-constructed cruising sailboats suggests this 38-footer likely followed the company's established principles of quality fiberglass construction and thoughtful design for serious coastal and offshore cruising. Bristol Yachts earned acclaim throughout their production years for creating boats that balanced performance with comfort, typically featuring solid hand-laid hulls, well-appointed interiors, and reliable sailing characteristics. The company's vessels were known for their ability to handle challenging conditions while providing comfortable accommodations for extended cruising. Given Bristol's design philosophy and the boat's size, the 3800 was most likely intended for couples or small families seeking a capable cruiser for coastal exploration and potentially longer passages. Bristol boats generally appealed to sailors who prioritized build quality and seaworthiness over cutting-edge performance, making them popular choices for serious cruising sailors. The scarcity of detailed information about this particular model may reflect limited production numbers, making any well-maintained example potentially valuable to collectors of Bristol's respected lineage.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 38.25 ft / 11.66 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 30.58 ft / 9.32 m
Beam 12.08 ft / 3.68 m
Max Draft 10.25 ft / 3.12 m
Min Draft 4.50 ft / 1.37 m
Displacement 19,150.00 lb / 8,686 kg
Ballast 9,000.00 lb / 4,082 kg
Sail Area (Reported) 744.00 ft² / 69.12 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Keel/Cbrd.
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG vinylester w/balsa deck
Designer Ted Hood
Builder Bristol Yachts Inc.
First Built 1982
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Known Issues & What to Watch For

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Performance Ratios
PHRF Rating PHRF (Performance Handicap Racing Fleet) is a national racing handicap measured in seconds per nautical mile. Lower values indicate faster boats. Ratings are sourced from US Sailing's national database (median across 60+ regional fleets).
Under 0 — Ultralight racer0–90 — Performance racer90–150 — Cruiser/racer150–210 — Typical cruiserOver 210 — Heavy/slow cruiser
 159
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
 16.69
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
 32.6
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
 1.81
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. 7.41
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
 1.73
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) 51.5
J (Foretriangle Base) 16.75
P (Mainsail Luff) 45.5
E (Mainsail Foot) 13.75
SA Fore 431.31
SA Main 312.81
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