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Bristol 4344
Designer: David Pedrick  ·  Builder: Bristol Yachts Inc. (Usa)  ·  First built: 1989
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About the Bristol 4344

Designed by David Pedrick and launched in 1989, this substantial 44-footer represents Bristol Yachts' commitment to building serious bluewater cruising sailboats. The 4344's impressive 27,500-pound displacement and generous beam of 13.5 feet create a stable, seaworthy platform capable of handling extended offshore passages with confidence. The fin keel and spade rudder configuration provides excellent maneuverability while the fractional sloop rig offers versatility in sail handling. With a sail area-to-displacement ratio of 16.63, the boat strikes an ideal balance between performance and comfort, moving well in light air while remaining manageable in heavy weather. The conservative capsize screening formula of 1.79 and moderate comfort ratio of 34.28 reflect Bristol's philosophy of prioritizing safety and livability over pure speed. Built with traditional fiberglass construction, the 4344 showcases the quality craftsmanship Bristol was known for during this era. The substantial ballast-to-displacement ratio ensures good stability, while the hull's proportions suggest spacious accommodations below. This yacht appeals to sailors seeking a capable cruiser that won't compromise on comfort during long passages, making it well-suited for coastal cruising and offshore voyaging alike.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 43.92 ft / 13.39 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 36.50 ft / 11.13 m
Beam 13.50 ft / 4.11 m
Max Draft 7.50 ft / 2.29 m
Displacement 27,500.00 lb / 12,474 kg
Ballast 10,750.00 lb / 4,876 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 943.00 ft² / 87.61 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Fin w/spade rudder
Rigging Type Fractional Sloop
Construction FG
Designer David Pedrick
Builder Bristol Yachts Inc. (USA)
First Built 1989
Related Sailboats ["Hinckley 43 Mccurdy Rhodes" · "Swan 44 Frers" · "Contest 44 Classic" · "Shannon 43" · "Malo 43"]
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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
 16.63
Ballast/Displacement Ballast to Displacement ratio shows what percentage of the boat's total weight is ballast. Higher values generally mean better initial stability and stiffer sail carrying.
30–35% — Typical cruiser35–45% — Stiff performance boatOver 45% — Racing oriented
 39.09
Displacement/Length Displacement to Length ratio measures how heavy a boat is relative to its waterline length. Lower values mean a lighter, faster boat.
Under 100 — Ultralight racer100–200 — Light cruiser/racer200–300 — Moderate cruiser300–400 — Heavy cruiserOver 400 — Very heavy
 252.47
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
 34.28
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
 1.79
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. 8.10 kn
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
 2.11
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. 1,760.65 pounds/inch
SA/Displacement (Calc) Calculated Sail Area to Displacement ratio using actual measured sail dimensions rather than reported values. More precise than the reported SA/Disp figure. 16.62
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 52.00 ft / 15.85 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 15.25 ft / 4.65 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 56.75 ft / 17.30 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 19.25 ft / 5.87 m
SA Fore 396.50 ft² / 36.84 m²
SA Main 546.22 ft² / 50.75 m²
SA Total (100%) 942.72 ft² / 87.58 m²
Est. Forestay Length 54.19 ft / 16.52 m
Mast Height (DWL) 64.00 ft / 19.51 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Westerbeke
Engine Type Diesel
Fuel Capacity 70 gals / 265 L
Water Capacity 165 gals / 625 L
How It Compares

vs. Contest 44 Classic, Shannon 43, Swan 44 Frers

This boat Similar boats
Dimensions
LOA
Bristol 4344 ★
43.9 ft
Contest 44 Classic
44.0 ft
Shannon 43
43.8 ft
Swan 44 Frers
44.0 ft
LWL
Bristol 4344 ★
36.5 ft
Contest 44 Classic
38.3 ft
Shannon 43
36.6 ft
Swan 44 Frers
34.6 ft
Beam
Bristol 4344 ★
13.5 ft
Contest 44 Classic
13.1 ft
Shannon 43
13.0 ft
Swan 44 Frers
13.7 ft
Displacement
Bristol 4344 ★
27 lbs
Contest 44 Classic
39 lbs
Shannon 43
27 lbs
Swan 44 Frers
24 lbs
Ballast
Bristol 4344 ★
10 lbs
Contest 44 Classic
13 lbs
Shannon 43
10 lbs
Swan 44 Frers
7 lbs
Sail Area
Bristol 4344 ★
943 sq ft
Contest 44 Classic
—
Shannon 43
910 sq ft
Swan 44 Frers
890 sq ft
Performance
SA / Displacement (higher = more powerful)
Bristol 4344 ★
16.6
Contest 44 Classic
—
Shannon 43
16.2
Swan 44 Frers
17.0
Ballast / Disp (higher = stiffer)
Bristol 4344 ★
39.1 %
Contest 44 Classic
33.9 %
Shannon 43
37.0 %
Swan 44 Frers
31.4 %
Comfort Ratio (higher = more comfortable offshore)
Bristol 4344 ★
34.3
Contest 44 Classic
—
Shannon 43
35.4
Swan 44 Frers
31.1
Capsize Screening (lower = safer)
Bristol 4344 ★
1.79
Contest 44 Classic
—
Shannon 43
1.74
Swan 44 Frers
1.89
Displacement / Length (lower = lighter)
Bristol 4344 ★
252
Contest 44 Classic
311
Shannon 43
246
Swan 44 Frers
264
Hull Speed
Bristol 4344 ★
8.1 kts
Contest 44 Classic
—
Shannon 43
8.1 kts
Swan 44 Frers
7.9 kts
Speed Number (higher = faster)
Bristol 4344 ★
2.1
Contest 44 Classic
—
Shannon 43
2.2
Swan 44 Frers
2.0
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