Bristol 32
Built by Bristol Yachts
Production 1966-1983
Number built ~322
Copyright 1997- Douglas H. Axtell
Last update 09/04/2006
The Bristol 32 gets her extra go from America's Cup Designer, Ted
Hood's fine line design. Her look, like her big sister
the Bristol 40, is classic. Some of this boat was drawn by Dieter
Empacher who at that time was employed by Hood design
group. This boat is built more heavily than most current production sailboats.
With the narrow beam, short waterline and long keel, she faces more of a
handicap than most on the race course. But these factors give her a nice ride
and this makes her a comfortable cruiser. The spoon bow and gently flairing end
sections give a gentle feel as she comes down into a sea. The stern is so
narrow, that she is nearly a double ender. Many feel that the Bristol 32 is one
of the most beautiful boats designed.
Links to other High Quality photos: With a waterline length of 22' and a beam of 9'
6", the Bristol 32's proportions are about typical of the cruising/racing
sailboats built between the 1930's when CCA (Cruising Club of America) rule was
concieved to 1970 when CCA was replaced by IOR (International Offshore Rule).
For those 40 years about 30% of a boats length was in her overhangs. Although
the Bristol 32 is not "Fast" compared to todays 32 footers, the design
still has its strong points. The long overhangs let her sail above the
calculated hullspeed when she is heeled, as the water "sees" a longer
boat. Because of her narrow beam compared to a more modern design, she will be
tender initally and harden up as she heels. This is because of relatively
shallow draft and stability borne of ballast rather than a dingy like hull
shape. Like many CCA boats, the Bristol 32 is a good reaching boat. One of the
strong points of the narrow stern is it lacks the rounding up tendancy of the
modern full-width stern design. Because the Bristol 32 was in production over a long period,
there seem to be several variations. Initially she was gasoline powered with the
Atomic 4. However as diesels became the norm a variety were offered. There were
two versions of the deck produced as well. The first had the traveler at the aft
end of the cockpit, and only one hatch on the doghouse. (see sloop photo) The
second had the traveler just forward of the wheel in the cockpit, and there were
two hatches on the doghouse, one amidships.(see ketch photo) There were two hull
designs offered as well, you could order a full keel version (deep draft) or for
shoal draft, a keel-centerboard version with slightly less draft. Bristol
Yachts went thru many changes over the years. Bristol Yachts was founded by Clint
Pearson, one of the first production fiberglass boat
builders. Some Pearson and Cal models are currently being built by Bristol and
the company is once again headed by Clint Pearson. Current Bristol Yachts fill
the semi-custom builder niche, but earlier Bristols were aimed at the
"mass" market and were finished accordingly. With very little modification she can be singlehanded, so
shorthanded cruising with the family is not out of the question. The addition of
Roller furling gear, and the lines lead aft can keep you in the large
comfortable cockpit. The Bristol 32 sleeps 5-6 fairly comfortably for short
periods, with fewer guests your cruise can be extended. Check the price! For those who know yachting values ... check out the
Bristol 32 feature by feature. Go aboard comaparable boats in this catagory with
a critical dollar-versus-value eye and find out what real value means when you
compare them with the Bristol 32. After you've compared value compare
performance. After you compared performance, compare accommodations. After that,
what? Compare the reliability of designer and builder. After this it's up to
you!
All hand laid construction with full length keel and attached rudder. No
built-in pot catchers or bucking bronco steering.
Hull & Deck: Molded high-impact fiberglass reinforced polyester
resin ... largely woven roving ...hand laid up,strongest material available and
the best construction available. Hull and deck thicknesses vary to suit
structural demands. No fillers are used. Deckhouse,deck and cockpit are
integrally molded. Deck clamp and cove stripe molded with hull. Deck is
mechanically bonded and sealed to deck clamp in hull to prevent leaking. Full
length non-skid molded into the deck, seat, cabin top and in walkways. Teak toe
rails. Dorade boxes molded onto trunk cabin. Opening forward hatch (translucent)
with molded gasket receptacle, hatch lock, and hatch adjuster. Hinged lazaret
hatch. Molded seahood for main hatch ...With spray rail. Mounting base for
companionway dodger.
Cockpit: Molded as part of deck. Seat level enough below deck level to
provide high coaming for comfortable backrest. Self bailing cockpit. Cockpit
drains fitted with seacocks. Molded cockpit seat hatches, completely scuppered
to prevent leakage, are fitted with security hasps. Coamings and other trim ...
first quality teak.
Deck Hardware: All deck hardware are highest grade stainless steel,
satin finished chrome-plated bronze or special corrosion resistant aluminum
alloys. Many itmes are custom-made to our own designs. Custom cast
manganese-bronze, chrome plated stem head with integral chocks. Two docking
cleats fore and aft. Bristol-type winch bases ... with handle storage in bases.
Main sheet traveler. Edson wheel steering. Underside of the deck in main cabin finished with smooth fiberglass
"headliner". Located starboard aft ...contains gimbaled four (4) burner alcohol stove with
oven, and slide away cover. Molded icebox (styrofoam insulation) is on port
side. Space for dishes, pots, pans and canned goods is outboard of the icebox.
Additional lockers are located behind the stove and sink. Stainless sink
(14"x 10" X 6")is equipped with high capacity self priming
pump... with swing-away spout. Sink outlet is fitted with 1 1/2" seacock.
All galley countertops are Formica. A hanging locker (wet locker) is
conveniently located near the companionway. Toilet room (located athwartships)
contains large linen locker and counter with stainless steel wash basin. Outlet
leads to seacock. Towel bar, mirror and hooks are conveniently located. Forward Cabin: Contains two full length berths with 5" foam
mattresses. Each has drawer and storage bin built in under. Full length shelves
run over each berth. Sides of hull are sheathed with mahogany ceiling strips.
Engine Installation: Atomic 4 is the standard motor with options for a
diesel. A bronze propeller shaft runs in Bristol-type rubber mounted shaft
connected to engine. Water temperature, oil pressure, and ammeter gauges are
located on aft side of cabin house. Two bladed solid sailboat propeller. Engine
room exhaust blower .. as well as natural forced draft ventilation (Coast Guard
Approved). Engine compartment is easily accessible .. with all switches and
shutoff valves close at hand.
Electrical System: Heavy duty system using alternator on engine and
two 12-volt marine batteries with four-way switch. Bow, stern and side running
lights. Interior lights (7), courtesy night light in main cabin. 110-volt shore
power ... with 3 outlets.
Tanks: Two monel water tanks 35 gallon capacity under the v-berth, and
55 gallon capacity in the bilge. Fuel tank (monel) 25 gallon capacity.
Spars & Rigging: Anodized aluminum mast. Stainless steel standing
rigging. Stainless steel wire halyards. Geared roller reefing with internal
outhaul at gooseneck. Main boom downhaul.
Colors: Owner may specify colors (from standard color selections) to
be molded into hull and deck and choose from a variety of available colors for
boot-top, anti-fouling bottom paint, cove stripe and mattresses.
The prop shaft is 7/8" diameter with a 7/8"x 3 1/2"x 1
3/8" cutless bearing.
Input from anyone is welcomed and we will publish items
submitted with the author's permission. This page was developed with the idea of
exchanging information between Bristol 32 owners, if you want to know how to do
something or have any other questions this will provide a means of contacting
others. Additionally if anyone has suggested links or information which they
feel may benefit others, feel free to contact me. Last modified
1970
Sloop "Glad Tidings"
1979
Ketch "Ariel"
1978 Sloop
"Con
Te Partiro"
Bristol 32 #3
"Intrepid" built for Ted Hood
This is a reproduction of an older sales brochure
Speed and Comfort! The Bristol 32 gets her extra go from Ted Hood's fine
line design. Her look alike big sister, the Bristol 40, is consistently in the
money.
But comfort is what we are really after. And an extended trunk provides really
comfortable accommodations for six in the centerboard or full-keel models.
Bristol 32 Standard Equipment
A Geat Cruising Package
Interior:
Main cabin is equipped as follows: Pull-out 42" berth port.
Berth (starboard) has pipe berth over with mattress ... sleeps two.
All berths have 5" poly-foam mattresses with breathable covers
(removable for laundering.
Lockers and cabinets behind and above berth in forward and main cabins.
Cabin sole is scoured teak plywood.
Interior wood trim is satin-finished mahogany.
There is generous drawer and locker space throughout.
Doors are paneled and fitted mahogany. Bulkheads are available in stain finished
Honduras mahogany or muted shades of easily maintained Formica.
Galley:
Bristol 32 Specifications(1970)
Halyards are 7/16" diameter and 94´ in length. Fore stay, aft stay and
upper shrouds are all 1/4" 304 type stainless. The lower shrouds are
7/32". All upper shrouds are 1/2" turnbuckles, lowers are 7/16"
turnbuckles.
L-W-L
22´0"
L-O-A
32'1"
Beam
9´'5"
Draft (keel)
4´'8"
Draft (CB-up)
3´6"
Draft (CB-down)
7'6"
Ballast
4000#
Displacement
11,300#
Sail Area (sloop)
491 sq. ft.
Sail Area (ketch)
505 sq. ft.
P=35.1´
P2=40.0´
B=13.8´
J=12.58´
Bristol 32 Specifications (1976)
This version seems to carry a bit less ballast and therefore would be more
tender. Although Practical Sailor says that boat specs from this time are
not very accurate, and that ballast was added until they sat on their lines
correctly.
L-W-L
22' 0"
L-O-A
32' 1"
Beam
9' 5"
Draft (keel)
4' 7.5"
Draft (CB-up)
3'6"
Draft (CB-down)
7'6"
Ballast
3900#
Displacement
10,800#
Sail Area (sloop)
464 sq. ft.
Sail Area (ketch)
505 sq. ft.
P=33.05'
P2=38.5'
B=13.48'
J=12.58'
PHRF Ratings:
In a PHRF number lower generally means a faster boat, although these numbers
also reflect the performance histories of each boat type. This means that a
number may be slightly higher or lower based upon the abilities of the mean of
the that boat type. (crew performance)
These graphics have been compressed for viewing on the web,
should you need better versions for printing contact the webmaster below.
