Bristol 40
Description
The Bristol 40 is one of the most admired models produced by Bristol Yachts and a classic example of Ted Hood’s deeply seaworthy and elegant design philosophy. Introduced in 1970 as a refinement of the earlier Bristol 39, the Bristol 40 remained in production until the early 1980s, with approximately 150 boats built. Constructed in Bristol, Rhode Island, the 40 represented the pinnacle of Bristol’s early fiberglass cruising yachts — traditional in appearance yet modern in build. The hull is solid hand-laid fiberglass, paired with a fin keel and keel-hung rudder, offering a blend of strength, balance, and smooth motion at sea. The yacht’s long overhangs, subtle sheerline, and finely shaped bow endow it with timeless beauty both at the dock and underway. Most were rigged as masthead sloops, though a cutter rig was an option, reflecting its dual-purpose design as both a capable offshore cruiser and a comfortable weekend yacht. Interiors were crafted in rich teak joinery, featuring a comfortable main salon, forward stateroom, enclosed head, U-shaped galley, and berths for five to six, making it ideal for extended cruising with a small crew. The Bristol 40 gained a reputation for being a well-balanced, stiff, and steady bluewater performer, capable of long ocean passages while maintaining the charm of a traditional yacht.
Construction Details
| Designer | Ted Hood |
|---|---|
| Builder | Bristol Yachts |
| Length | 40.000 ft |
| LOA | 40.167 ft |
| LWL | 27.540 ft |
| Beam | 10.750 ft |
| Displacement | 17580 lb |
| Ballast | 6500 lb |
| Max Draft | 5.370 ft |
| Year Built | 1970 |
The standard boat dimensions
| i | 45.50 ft |
|---|---|
| j | 14.58 ft |
| p | 39.45 ft |
| e | 15.75 ft |
| p2 | - |
| e2 | - |
| i2 | - |
| j2 | - |
| I | J | P | E | P2 | E2 | I2 | J2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45.50 ft | 14.58 ft | 39.45 ft | 15.75 ft | - | - | - | - |
Sails
Bristol 40 - MAINSAIL
| Luff | * 39.45 ft - (12024 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 15.75 ft - (4801 mm) |
| Leech | * 41.65 ft - (12695 mm) |
| Tack Angle | * 87.98 ° |
| Diagonal | * 41.96 ft - (12789 mm) |
| Head (inches) | * 6 in - (152 mm) |
| Area | * 318.68 ft² |
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Bristol 40 - JIBSAIL
| Luff | 38.22 ft - (11649 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 19.32 ft - (5889 mm) |
| Leech | * 33.18 ft - (10113 mm) |
| Percentage LP | * 115.02 % |
| Length Perpendicular | * 16.77 ft - (5111 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 12 ° |
| Area | * 320.5 ft² |
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Bristol 40 - GENOA
| Luff | 45.39 ft - (13835 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 23.55 ft - (7178 mm) |
| Leech | * 42.68 ft - (13009 mm) |
| Percentage LP | * 150 % |
| Length Perpendicular | * 21.87 ft - (6666 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 4.01 ° |
| Area | * 496.31 ft² |
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Bristol 40 - ASYMMETRICAL
| Luff | 46 ft - (14021 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | 25 ft - (7620 mm) |
| Leech | 42.5 ft - (12954 mm) |
| Perc LP | * 165 % |
| Area | * 862 ft² |
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Bristol 40 - SPINNAKER
| Stays | * 45.39 ft - (13835 mm) |
|---|---|
| MidGirth | * 26.24 ft - (7998 mm) |
| Foot | * 26.24 ft - (7998 mm) |
| Perc LP | * 180 % |
| Area | * 1012 ft² |
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Bristol 40 - STORMJIB
| Luff | * 26.28 ft - (8010 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 10.92 ft - (3328 mm) |
| Leech | * 21.6 ft - (6584 mm) |
| Perc LP | * 60.01 % |
| Length Perp | * 8.75 ft - (2667 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 18.97 ° |
| Area | * 114.99 ft² |
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Disclaimer. Boats are not all the same -- even when produced in the same factory of the same model. Sailrite does its best to publish accurate dimensions, but we often find it worthwhile to have our customers measure their boats carefully before we produce kits for them. You should take the same precautions, especially when the data is not from Sailrite. The information on this site is not guaranteed to be accurate. Sailrite offers this content as a service to our community, but takes no responsibility for the reliability of the data provided.
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