The Bristol 24 Sailboat
Specs & Key Performance Indicators

The Bristol 24 was designed by Paul Coble and built in the USA by Bristol Yachts Inc.

The Bristol 24 was produced in two versions; a 'standard' version with two berths in the saloon, and a 'dinette' version with a quarterberth.

Published Specification for the Bristol 24

Underwater Configuration: Long Keel

Hull Material: GRP (Fibreglass)

Length Overall: 24' 6" / 7.5m

Waterline Length: 18' 1" / 5.5m

Beam: 8' 0" / 2.4m

Draft: 3' 5" / 1.0m

Rig Type: Masthead Sloop

Displacement: 5,920lb / 2,685kg

Designer: Paul Coble

Builder: Bristol Yachts Inc (US)

Year First Built: 1969

Year Last Built: 1972

Number Built: 800

Owners Association: Bristol Owners Association

Published Design Ratios for the Bristol 24

1. Sail Area/Displacement Ratio: 14.5

Less than 16 would be considered under-powered;
16 to 20 would indicate reasonably good performance;
Over 20 suggests relatively high performance.

2. Ballast/Displacement Ratio: 51

Under 40: less stiff, less powerful
Over 40: stiffer, more powerful

3. Displacement/Length Ratio: 447

Under 100: Ultralight
100 to 200: Light
200 to 275: Moderate
275 to 350: Heavy
Over 350: Ultraheavy

4. Comfort Ratio: 28.6

Under 20 indicates a lightweight racing boat
20 to 30 indicates a coastal cruiser
30 to 40 indicates a moderate offshore cruising boat
40 to 50 indicates a heavy offshore boat
Over 50 indicates an extremely heavy offshore boat

5. Capsize Screening Formula: 1.8

Under 2.0 (the lower the better): Better suited for ocean passages
Over 2.0: Less suited for ocean passages

Summary Analysis of the Design Ratios for the Bristol 24

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1. A Sail Area/Displacement Ratio of just 14.5 suggests that she'll need a stiff breeze to get her going. In light conditions, unless you've got plenty of time on your hands, motor-sailing may be the way to go.

2. A Ballast/Displacement Ratio of 51 means that she'll stand up well to her canvas in a blow, helping her to power through the waves.

3. A Displacement/Length Ratio of 447, tells us she's firmly in the ultra-heavy displacement category. Load her up as much as you like and her performance will be hardly affected, not that it was ever startling. Few if any sailboats are built to this displacement category these days - but they remain popular with some long-distance sailors.

4. Ted Brewer's Comfort Ratio of 28.6 suggests that crew comfort in a seaway is similar to what you would associate with the motion of a coastal cruiser with moderate stability, which is not encouraging news for anyone prone to seasickness.

5. Her Capsize Screening Formula (CSF) of 1.8 tells us that she would be a safer choice of sailboat for ocean passage-making than one with a CSF of more than 2.0.