Back to Search
Bristol 477
Designer: Ted Hood  ·  Builder: Bristol Yachts Inc. (Usa)  ·  First built: 1979
+ Add to Compare
Videos
About the Bristol 477

Designed by legendary naval architect Ted Hood, the Bristol 477 represents a thoughtful blend of cruising comfort and seaworthy design from one of America's most respected yacht builders. Built between 1979 and 1994 with only 75 hulls produced, this masthead sloop has earned a reputation as a capable offshore cruiser among discerning sailors. The 477's substantial 34,660-pound displacement and deep 11-foot draft provide excellent stability and tracking ability in challenging conditions, while the moderate sail area delivers manageable performance for shorthanded crews. Hood's design philosophy shines through in the boat's balanced proportions and conservative approach to ocean sailing, making it particularly well-suited for extended offshore passages and serious coastal cruising. The fiberglass construction reflects Bristol's commitment to quality craftsmanship during this era, with robust engineering throughout. The keel/centerboard configuration offers versatility for both deep-water sailing and shallow anchorages, expanding cruising options significantly. With a comfort ratio indicating good motion characteristics and a capsize screening value well within safe parameters, the 477 appeals to sailors seeking a proven platform for long-distance cruising where reliability and seaworthiness take precedence over pure speed.

Core Dimensions
LOA (Length Overall) 47.00 ft / 14.33 m
LWL (Waterline Length) 37.25 ft / 11.35 m
Beam 13.17 ft / 4.01 m
Max Draft 11.00 ft / 3.35 m
Min Draft 4.92 ft / 1.50 m
Displacement 34,660.00 lb / 15,722 kg
Ballast 15,000.00 lb / 6,804 kg
Ballast Type Lead
Sail Area (Reported) 968.00 ft² / 89.93 m²
Design & Construction
Hull Type Keel/Cbrd.
Rigging Type Masthead Sloop
Construction FG
Designer Ted Hood
Builder Bristol Yachts Inc. (USA)
First Built 1979
Last Built 1994
Number Built 75
Owner Reviews

No owner reviews yet — be the first to share your experience with this boat.

Known Issues & What to Watch For

No known issues documented for this model yet.

Own or have surveyed a Bristol 477? Submit a known issue

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
 14.63
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
 43.28
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
 299.37
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
 43.04
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
 1.62
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. 8.18 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
 1.56
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. 1,752.91 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. 14.63
Rig Dimensions
I (Foretriangle Height) 56.00 ft / 17.07 m
J (Foretriangle Base) 18.50 ft / 5.64 m
P (Mainsail Luff) 50.00 ft / 15.24 m
E (Mainsail Foot) 18.00 ft / 5.49 m
SA Fore 518.00 ft² / 48.12 m²
SA Main 450.00 ft² / 41.81 m²
SA Total (100%) 968.00 ft² / 89.93 m²
Est. Forestay Length 58.98 ft / 17.98 m
Engine & Accommodations
Engine Make Westerbeke
Engine Type Diesel
Fuel Capacity 150 gals / 568 L
Water Capacity 167 gals / 632 L
Find a Bristol 477 For Sale
Y YachtWorld Brokerage listings S Sailboat Listings Sailboats only C Craigslist National search F Facebook Marketplace Local listings B boats.com Global marketplace