What is the Bristol 40's sail area to displacement ratio?

The Bristol 40 has a Sail Area to Displacement ratio (SA/D) of 16.49. Values between 14–18 are typical cruising sailboats; 18–22 is cruiser/racer; over 22 is performance racing.

What is the Bristol 40's comfort ratio?

The Bristol 40 has a Ted Brewer Comfort Ratio of 36.68. A ratio over 30 indicates good offshore comfort; over 40 is very comfortable offshore.

Is the Bristol 40 safe for offshore sailing?

The Bristol 40 has a Capsize Screening Formula value of 1.66. Values under 2.0 are considered acceptable for offshore sailing; under 1.8 is ideal.

What is the hull speed of the Bristol 40?

The theoretical hull speed of the Bristol 40 is 7.03 knots, calculated from its waterline length.

How much does a Bristol 40 weigh?

The Bristol 40 has a displacement of 17,580.00 lb and a length overall (LOA) of 40.16 ft.

How much does a used Bristol 40 cost?

Based on 4 recent market listings, used Bristol 40 sailboats typically sell for between $33,000 and $42,000, with a median asking price of $40,750. Price varies significantly based on year, condition, location, and included equipment.

Who designed the Bristol 40?

The Bristol 40 was designed by Ted Hood, first built in 1970.

Bristol 40 Performance — PHRF, SA/D, Hull Speed & Sailing Characteristics

The Bristol 40 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a steady, comfortable ride offshore, and respectable in club racing.

Hull Speed

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

7.0 kts

A displacement hull pushes a bow wave whose speed is limited by the waterline length. With a waterline of 27.5′, the Bristol 40 tops out around 7.0 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.

1.34 × √27.5′ LWL = 7.0 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

132s/nm

Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.

SA / Displacement

16.5

Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.

Ballast / Displacement

37.0%

Typical cruising ballast — balanced stability and motion underway.

Displacement / Length

376

Heavy displacement — a slow, steady, seakindly hull.

Comfort Ratio

36.7

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

Capsize Screening

1.66

Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.

Hull Speed

7.0kts

S# (Speed Number)

1.2

SA/Disp (Calculated)

15.4

Computed from measured I/J/P/E rather than reported sail area.

Pounds/Inch Immersion

1lbs

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

36.7

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

1.66

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

Racer 0–90

Cruiser/Racer 90–150

Cruiser 150–210

Tartan 40 105s/nm

Cape Dory 40 120s/nm

Bristol 40 132s/nm Cruiser/racer — competitive in club racing, comfortable cruising.

Island Packet 40 141s/nm

Endeavour 40 147s/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°	2.8	3.5	3.9	4.1
Close Reach60°	3.3	4.2	4.7	4.9
Beam Reach90°	4.1	5.2	5.8	6.0
Broad Reach120–135°	3.8	4.8	5.3	5.6
Run150–180°	3.0	3.8	4.3	4.5

These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.0 kts), SA/D (16.5), 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 40 — based on sail area, ballast, and displacement characteristics.

Ghost

Sweet Spot

Reef

Heavy

0–7 kts 7–20 kts 20–28 kts 28+ kts

Ghosting

0–7 kts

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

Sweet Spot

7–20 kts

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

Time to Reef

20–28 kts

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

Heavy Weather

28+ 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 40.

	Bristol 40	Cape Dory 40	Cs 395	Endeavour 40	Island Packet 40	Tartan 40
Dimensions
LOA	40.2	40.2	40.2	40.0	40.0	40.3
LWL	27.5	30.0	31.1	32.0	34.0	31.6
Beam	10.8	11.7	12.7	13.0	12.9	12.7
Displacement	17	19	12	25	22	17
Ballast	6	—	5	9	10	7
Sail Area	694	778	933	788	907	727
Performance
PHRF	132	120	—	147	141	105
SA/Disp	16.5	17.3	27.4	14.8	18.1	17.5
Bal/Disp	37.0	—	44.1	36.0	43.9	—
Comfort	36.7	34.6	19.8	36.9	32.6	26.4
Capsize	1.66	1.74	2.18	1.78	1.83	1.97
Hull Speed	7.0	7.3	7.5	7.6	7.8	7.5