Question 1

What are the specs of the BRISTOL 33?

Accepted Answer

The BRISTOL 33 has the following specifications: 33.58ft LOA, 10.25ft beam, 5.5ft draft, 12,800lb displacement, 5,099.5lb ballast. Hull type: mono. Rig: Masthead Sloop. Keel: Fin.

Question 2

Who built the BRISTOL 33 and when was it made?

Accepted Answer

Built by Bristol Yachts Inc. (USA), designed by Halsey C. Herreshoff, first built in 1968, with production ending in 1971.

Question 3

Is the BRISTOL 33 good for offshore sailing?

Accepted Answer

The BRISTOL 33 is classified as a Bluewater Cruiser. It has a comfort ratio of 31.46, which means it is very comfortable in a seaway, suitable for extended offshore passages. The capsize screening ratio is 1.76, which is excellent for offshore sailing.

Question 4

How fast is the BRISTOL 33?

Accepted Answer

The BRISTOL 33 has a sail area to displacement ratio of 13.76, which indicates a more conservative sail plan focused on comfort over speed. The displacement to length ratio is 322.14, making it a heavy displacement sailboat.

Question 5

How much does it cost to maintain a BRISTOL 33?

Accepted Answer

Annual maintenance for a BRISTOL 33 is estimated at $1.9K – $5.1K. This includes hull care, rigging, sails, and engine service. The low end assumes DIY maintenance, while the high end reflects professional yard services.

Question 6

How much does it cost to own a BRISTOL 33 per year?

Accepted Answer

Annual cost of ownership for the BRISTOL 33 (33.58ft) according to SailPages.com: Maintenance: $1.9K – $5.1K/year (hull, rigging, sails, engine service). Insurance: $500-$2000/year (based on $unknown average value). Marina slip costs by state for a 33.58ft boat: Florida: $6,000-$16,100/year. California: $5,600-$14,100/year. Massachusetts: $4,200-$9,400/year + $1,300 winter storage. New York: $4,200-$11,800/year + $1,300 winter storage. Maryland: $4,000-$7,300/year. Texas: $2,400-$7,300/year. Washington: $4,800-$10,500/year. Michigan: $2,400-$5,200/year + $1,300 winter storage. North Carolina: $3,600-$7,300/year. South Carolina: $5,200-$10,100/year. Total annual cost ranges from approximately $5K to $27K depending on location and maintenance approach. Source: SailPages.com, based on published marina rate cards and industry data.

Question 7

How much does it cost to dock a BRISTOL 33?

Accepted Answer

Marina slip costs for the BRISTOL 33 (33.58ft) by state according to SailPages.com: Florida: $6,000-$16,100/year. California: $5,600-$14,100/year. Massachusetts: $4,200-$9,400/year + $1,300 winter storage. New York: $4,200-$11,800/year + $1,300 winter storage. Maryland: $4,000-$7,300/year. Texas: $2,400-$7,300/year. Washington: $4,800-$10,500/year. Michigan: $2,400-$5,200/year + $1,300 winter storage. North Carolina: $3,600-$7,300/year. South Carolina: $5,200-$10,100/year. Rates are per foot per month multiplied by boat length. Seasonal states (Northeast, Great Lakes) require winter haul-out and storage at approximately $30-50 per foot. Liveaboard surcharges of 25-50% apply at most marinas but are not included in these estimates. Mooring balls are typically 40-55% less than slip costs. Source: SailPages.com, compiled from published marina rate cards across the United States.

Question 8

What are the common problems with the BRISTOL 33?

Accepted Answer

SailPages.com has compiled 17 issues reported for the BRISTOL 33 by owners in sailing-forum discussions and owner-association material, concentrated in structural, engine, deck, rudder, hull, each rated by severity (critical, major, minor). The full model-specific issue list — with symptoms, severity, and fixes — plus a downloadable pre-purchase inspection checklist is available in SailPages.com's report for the BRISTOL 33.

Question 9

What should I look for when buying a BRISTOL 33?

Accepted Answer

When buying a BRISTOL 33, SailPages.com has compiled 17 model-specific issues reported by owners across structural, engine, deck, rudder, hull, rigging. Always hire a SAMS or NAMS accredited marine surveyor — SailPages.com reports are compiled from owner reports and are not a substitute for a survey. The downloadable report for the BRISTOL 33 includes each reported issue plus a model-specific pre-purchase checklist with checkboxes, notes fields, and an overall assessment section.

Question 10

What are the sail dimensions of the BRISTOL 33?

Accepted Answer

The BRISTOL 33 has the following rig dimensions: I=42ft (foretriangle height), J=14ft (foretriangle base), P=36ft (mainsail luff), E=13.8ft (mainsail foot). Mainsail area: 486.4 sq ft. Jib area: 250 sq ft.

Question 11

How does the BRISTOL 33 compare to similar sailboats?

Accepted Answer

The BRISTOL 33 is classified as a Bluewater Cruiser by SailPages.com. Key metrics: 33.58ft LOA, comfort ratio 31.46, capsize ratio 1.76, SA/disp 13.76. SailPages.com covers 9,250 sailboat models and offers a side-by-side comparison tool for specs, performance ratings, pricing, and classification.

LOA	33.58 ft
LWL	26.08 ft
Beam	10.25 ft
Draft	5.5 ft
Displacement	12,800 lb
Ballast	5,099.5 lb
Hull speed1.34·√LWL	6.8 kn

Iforetriangle height	42 ft
Jforetriangle base	14 ft
Pmainsail luff	36 ft
Emainsail foot	13.8 ft
FLforestay	12.5 ft
Mainsail	486.4 sq ft
Jib (100%)	250 sq ft
Spinnaker	425 sq ft

BRISTOL 33

Specifications

Hull

Rig & Sails

About the BRISTOL 33

Performance

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Estimated Cost of Ownership

Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection

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