BRISTOL 32
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 32 ft |
| LWL | 22 ft |
| Beam | 9.5 ft |
| Draft | 4.67 ft |
| Displacement | 10,800 lb |
| Ballast | 3,899.9 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 6.3 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 40 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 12.58 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 35.1 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 13.5 ft |
| PYmizzen luff | 14.18 ft |
| EYmizzen foot | 5.78 ft |
| FLforestay | 12.6 ft |
| Mainsail | 483.5 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 242.2 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 411.7 sq ft |
About the BRISTOL 32
Fin keel or keel/cb. Keel/CB- BU: 3.5', BD: 7.5'. Available as sloop, yawl or ketch. Tall sloop: I: 40.0' J: 12.58' P: 35.1' E: 13.5' Yawl rig (mizzen): PY: 14.18' EY: 5.78'
Designed by Ted Hood and Dieter Empacher and built by Bristol Yachts Inc. (USA), the Bristol 32 is a robust cruising sloop with 322 hulls produced between 1966 and 1983. Its substantial displacement of 10800.0 lb and full keel design reflect a focus on stability and seakeeping rather than high-speed performance.
- Best for:
- This vessel is ideally suited for coastal and offshore cruisers who prioritize safety, comfort, and durability over speed, making it a strong candidate for long-term liveaboards and extended passages.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a capsize ratio of 1.72 and a displacement/length ratio of 452.8, the Bristol 32 is well-regarded for bluewater capability, offering excellent stability and a proven track record in offshore conditions.
- Comparables:
- Comparable boats include the Tartan 34 and O'Day 32, which share similar production eras and heavy-displacement, full-keel characteristics designed for safe, comfortable cruising rather than racing.
Performance
Estimated Value
Low ConfidenceAsking price by model year
9 listings · boat years 1969–1980 · median $14,900
Each dot is one listing · hover for details · dashed red line marks the median · obvious data-entry outliers (top & bottom 2.5%) excluded.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 32ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
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Articles & Reviews
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
21 reported issues across 9 systems for the BRISTOL 32, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a BRISTOL 32? This is an in-depth report on the faults this model is known for — so you know exactly what to check when you walk the boat. For the price of a coffee.
- ✓ All 21 specific issues — severity, symptoms & fixes
- ✓ Model-specific pre-purchase inspection checklist
- ✓ Downloadable PDF to take to your surveyor — yours to keep
One-time $2.99 · secure checkout by Stripe · instant access · 30 days online, PDF yours to keep
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