BRISTOL 51.1
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 51 ft |
| LWL | 42.17 ft |
| Beam | 15.17 ft |
| Draft | 10.5 ft/ 5.3 ft min |
| Displacement | 43,700 lb |
| Ballast | 19,498.9 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 8.7 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Iforetriangle height | 64 ft |
| Jforetriangle base | 21.5 ft |
| Pmainsail luff | 56 ft |
| Emainsail foot | 19 ft |
| FLforestay | 21.5 ft |
| Mainsail | 1,262.6 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 688 sq ft |
| Spinnaker | 1,169.6 sq ft |
About the BRISTOL 51.1
Bristol's of this size and vintage were built on a semi-custom basis so particulars vary.
The Bristol 51.1 is a robust, heavy-displacement cruising sloop designed by Dieter Empacher and built by the Bristol Boat Company in the USA. Production was limited to the year 1987, with the exact number of hulls built remaining unconfirmed in available records.
- Best for:
- This vessel is ideally suited for serious coastal and offshore cruisers who prioritize seakeeping comfort and durability over high-speed performance. Its heavy displacement and full keel design make it well-regarded for long-distance passages and liveaboard stability.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a displacement of 43700.0 lb, a low capsize ratio of 1.73, and a full/long keel, the Bristol 51.1 is inherently stable and well-suited for bluewater cruising. Its high comfort ratio of 40.31 suggests excellent motion comfort in heavy seas.
- Comparables:
- Comparable vessels include the Hallberg-Rassy 43 and the Swan 44, as they share similar heavy-displacement characteristics, full keel designs, and a focus on safe, comfortable offshore cruising. These boats appeal to buyers seeking proven, conservative designs from the late 1980s.
Direct variant of the BRISTOL 51.1
Near-identical models — same hull, builder and designer, re-badged or lightly changed. Specs and owner-reported issues are typically shared across the group, so a sister model's page may carry detail this one doesn't.
Performance
Pricing
We don't have market pricing data for the BRISTOL 51.1 yet. If you own one, help other buyers — what did you pay for it? Reports build a community price estimate over time.
Estimated Cost of Ownership
Based on 51ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
1 reported issues across 1 systems for the BRISTOL 51.1, compiled from owner reports in sailing forums and owner-association material.
Unlock the full inspection report
Thinking of buying a BRISTOL 51.1? 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 1 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
Similar Sailboats
Which engine powers your BRISTOL 51.1?
We haven't confirmed the engine for this model yet. If you own or know one, tell us — as owners report in, we build an accurate picture over time.
Brands sometimes mentioned for this model: Westerbeke — is it one of these?
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Used sails that fit the BRISTOL 51.1
Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…