The Bristol 411 is moderately powered for comfortable coastal cruising, with a steady, comfortable ride offshore.
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 33.3′, the Bristol 411 tops out around 7.7 knots in displacement mode — after that, the bow wave outruns the hull and resistance climbs steeply.
1.34 × √33.3′ LWL = 7.7 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
15.0
Moderate sail power — a capable coastal cruiser, not overpowered.
Ballast / Displacement
39.6%
Stiff enough to carry a big genoa comfortably into moderate breeze.
Displacement / Length
320
Moderate-heavy — carries provisions well, deliberate in light air.
Comfort Ratio
38.1
Good offshore comfort — steady enough for multi-day passages.
Capsize Screening
1.74
Below the 2.0 offshore threshold — acceptable for ocean passages.
SA/Disp (Calculated)
14.3
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
38.1
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
1.74
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 411 sits on the PHRF handicap spectrum — lower numbers mean faster boats.
Racer 0–90
Cruiser/Racer 90–150
Cruiser 150–210
Tartan 4100
102s/nm
Islander 41 Gurney
114s/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° |
2.9 |
3.7 |
4.1 |
4.3 |
| Close Reach60° |
3.5 |
4.4 |
5.0 |
5.2 |
| Beam Reach90° |
4.3 |
5.4 |
6.1 |
6.3 |
| Broad Reach120–135° |
4.0 |
5.0 |
5.6 |
5.9 |
| Run150–180° |
3.2 |
4.0 |
4.5 |
4.7 |
These are simplified estimates based on hull speed (7.7 kts),
SA/D (15.0), 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 411 — 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 411.
|
Bristol 411 |
Contest 41 |
Islander 41 Gurney |
Morgan Out Island 416 |
Sweden Yachts 41 |
Tartan 4100 |
| Dimensions |
| LOA |
41.1 |
41.0 |
41.2 |
41.3 |
41.0 |
41.3 |
| LWL |
33.3 |
32.5 |
34.7 |
34.0 |
32.7 |
35.8 |
| Beam |
12.9 |
12.7 |
13.0 |
13.8 |
12.8 |
13.5 |
| Displacement |
26 |
27 |
21 |
27 |
18 |
19 |
| Ballast |
10 |
9 |
9 |
9 |
8 |
6 |
| Sail Area |
830 |
— |
870 |
877 |
— |
810 |
| Performance |
| PHRF |
— |
— |
114 |
— |
— |
102 |
| SA/Disp |
15.0 |
— |
17.9 |
15.7 |
— |
18.3 |
| Bal/Disp |
39.6 |
33.5 |
44.3 |
33.3 |
43.5 |
33.7 |
| Comfort |
38.1 |
40.8 |
30.4 |
34.9 |
— |
24.5 |
| Capsize |
1.74 |
1.69 |
1.86 |
1.85 |
— |
2.03 |
| Hull Speed |
7.7 |
7.6 |
7.9 |
7.8 |
— |
8.0 |