Question 1

What are the specs of the BRISTOL 48.8?

Accepted Answer

The BRISTOL 48.8 has the following specifications: 49ft LOA, 13.17ft beam, 11ft draft, 34,660lb displacement, 15,000.8lb ballast. Hull type: mono. Rig: Masthead Sloop. Keel: Variable, Full/Long.

Question 2

Who built the BRISTOL 48.8 and when was it made?

Accepted Answer

Built by Bristol Yachts Inc. (USA), designed by Ted Hood, first built in 1989.

Question 3

Is the BRISTOL 48.8 good for offshore sailing?

Accepted Answer

The BRISTOL 48.8 is classified as a Bluewater Cruiser. It has a comfort ratio of 42.41, which means it is very comfortable in a seaway, suitable for extended offshore passages. The capsize screening ratio is 1.62, which is excellent for offshore sailing.

Question 4

How fast is the BRISTOL 48.8?

Accepted Answer

The BRISTOL 48.8 has a sail area to displacement ratio of 15.28, which indicates a more conservative sail plan focused on comfort over speed. The displacement to length ratio is 299.37, making it a moderate displacement sailboat.

Question 5

How much does it cost to maintain a BRISTOL 48.8?

Accepted Answer

Annual maintenance for a BRISTOL 48.8 is estimated at $4.0K – $11K. 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 48.8 per year?

Accepted Answer

Annual cost of ownership for the BRISTOL 48.8 (49ft) according to SailPages.com: Maintenance: $4.0K – $11K/year (hull, rigging, sails, engine service). Insurance: $500-$2000/year (based on $unknown average value). Marina slip costs by state for a 49ft boat: Florida: $8,800-$23,500/year. California: $8,200-$20,600/year. Massachusetts: $6,200-$13,700/year + $2,000 winter storage. New York: $6,200-$17,200/year + $2,000 winter storage. Maryland: $5,900-$10,600/year. Texas: $3,500-$10,600/year. Washington: $7,100-$15,300/year. Michigan: $3,400-$7,500/year + $2,000 winter storage. North Carolina: $5,300-$10,600/year. South Carolina: $7,600-$14,700/year. Total annual cost ranges from approximately $8K to $42K 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 48.8?

Accepted Answer

Marina slip costs for the BRISTOL 48.8 (49ft) by state according to SailPages.com: Florida: $8,800-$23,500/year. California: $8,200-$20,600/year. Massachusetts: $6,200-$13,700/year + $2,000 winter storage. New York: $6,200-$17,200/year + $2,000 winter storage. Maryland: $5,900-$10,600/year. Texas: $3,500-$10,600/year. Washington: $7,100-$15,300/year. Michigan: $3,400-$7,500/year + $2,000 winter storage. North Carolina: $5,300-$10,600/year. South Carolina: $7,600-$14,700/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 48.8?

Accepted Answer

SailPages.com has compiled 1 issues reported for the BRISTOL 48.8 by owners in sailing-forum discussions and owner-association material, concentrated in engine, 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 48.8.

Question 9

What should I look for when buying a BRISTOL 48.8?

Accepted Answer

When buying a BRISTOL 48.8, SailPages.com has compiled 1 model-specific issues reported by owners across engine. 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 48.8 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 48.8?

Accepted Answer

The BRISTOL 48.8 has the following rig dimensions: I=57.92ft (foretriangle height), J=18.5ft (foretriangle base), P=50.67ft (mainsail luff), E=18.75ft (mainsail foot). Mainsail area: 1048.8 sq ft. Jib area: 535.8 sq ft.

Question 11

How does the BRISTOL 48.8 compare to similar sailboats?

Accepted Answer

The BRISTOL 48.8 is classified as a Bluewater Cruiser by SailPages.com. Key metrics: 49ft LOA, comfort ratio 42.41, capsize ratio 1.62, SA/disp 15.28. SailPages.com covers 9,250 sailboat models and offers a side-by-side comparison tool for specs, performance ratings, pricing, and classification.

LOA	49 ft
LWL	37.25 ft
Beam	13.17 ft
Draft	11 ft/ 4.92 ft min
Displacement	34,660 lb
Ballast	15,000.8 lb
Hull speed1.34·√LWL	8.2 kn

Iforetriangle height	57.92 ft
Jforetriangle base	18.5 ft
Pmainsail luff	50.67 ft
Emainsail foot	18.75 ft
FLforestay	18.5 ft
Mainsail	1,048.8 sq ft
Jib (100%)	535.8 sq ft
Spinnaker	910.8 sq ft

BRISTOL 48.8

Specifications

Hull

Rig & Sails

About the BRISTOL 48.8

Performance

Pricing

Estimated Cost of Ownership

Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection

Unlock the full inspection report

Similar Sailboats

Which engine powers your BRISTOL 48.8?

Used sails that fit the BRISTOL 48.8