BRISTOL CHANNEL CUTTER
Specifications
Hull
| LOA | 37.75 ft |
| LWL | 26.25 ft |
| Beam | 10.08 ft |
| Draft | 4.83 ft |
| Displacement | 14,000 lb |
| Ballast | 4,600.4 lb |
| Hull speed1.34·√LWL | 6.9 kn |
Rig & Sails
| Mainsail | 238.22 sq ft |
| Jib (100%) | 294.5 sq ft |
About the BRISTOL CHANNEL CUTTER
Sail Area (standard sails): -Main: 238.22 ft² / 22.13 m² -Jib: 294.5 ft² / 27.36 m² -Stay sail: 104.64 ft² / 9.72 m² Cape George Cutter Marine Works, Inc is the current builder (2025) in the USA. Thanks to ADELIE for providing missing data. A few were also built in Canada.
The Bristol Channel Cutter is a classic 37.75 ft cruising yacht designed by Lyle Hess and built by Sam. L. Morse Co./Cape George Marine Wrks. in the USA. With a production run of 127 hulls completed in 1976, this vessel represents a specific era of American boatbuilding focused on traditional aesthetics and seaworthiness.
- Best for:
- This boat is best suited for coastal cruisers and weekend sailors who value traditional lines and a comfortable, stable ride over high-speed performance. Its cutter rig and moderate sail area-to-displacement ratio make it manageable for couples or small families seeking a relaxed cruising experience.
- Bluewater capability:
- With a displacement of 14000.0 lb, a full/long keel, and a capsize ratio of 1.68, the Bristol Channel Cutter offers good stability and seaworthiness for coastal passages, though its moderate comfort ratio suggests it is more of a coastal cruiser than a dedicated bluewater passagemaker.
- Comparables:
- Comparable vessels include the Cal 34 and the O'Day 35, as they share similar displacement, beam, and a focus on comfortable coastal cruising rather than racing. Like the Bristol, these boats from the mid-1970s prioritize stability and ease of handling for short-handed crews.
Performance
Images
Estimated Value
Medium ConfidenceAsking price by model year
18 listings · boat years 1976–2006 · median $75,000
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 37.75ft LOA. Actual costs vary by condition, usage, and local rates.
Featured YouTube Videos
Known Issues & Pre-Purchase Inspection
We don't have enough data on the BRISTOL CHANNEL CUTTERyet to publish model-specific findings we'd stand behind — but here's a free general inspection checklist, built from our research into what actually goes wrong on boats of this kind.
Drawn from 7,029 documented issues across 2,391 models, ordered so the areas that most often turn up problems come first.
Own a BRISTOL CHANNEL CUTTER? Reports from owners are what turn this into a model-specific checklist — and they're the reason the boats above it have one.
Similar Sailboats
Which engine powers your BRISTOL CHANNEL CUTTER?
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Used sails that fit the BRISTOL CHANNEL CUTTER
Checking eBay for sails sized to this boat's rig…