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Bristol 40 for $40,000 - Can You Make it Work?
March 2, 2026 · 11 min · 14K views
Bristol 40 sails hard on windward tack, crew hiking out.
What this video covers
The Bristol 39 and Bristol 40, designed by Ted Hood and built in Rhode Island, are traditional, narrow-beam cruisers currently available on the used market for approximately $40,000.▶ 0:25 These CCA-era designs feature solid fiberglass hulls, encapsulated lead keels, and inward-flange hull-to-deck joints.▶ 4:55 Because they were built to the Cruising Club of America (CCA) rulebook, the boats possess long overhangs and narrow beams, resulting in a design that heels quickly and requires early reefing.▶ 4:05 Owners should anticipate maintenance typical of 40- to 50-year-old vessels, specifically regarding deck-core moisture, chainplate fatigue, and aging electrical or plumbing systems.▶ 5:46 The interior volume is modest compared to modern cruisers of similar length, and the aperture-mounted propeller requires practice for close-quarters maneuvering.▶ 6:41 While the boats offer a stable, sea-kindly motion offshore, their positive riding moment is lower than that of modern, wide-body cruisers.▶ 6:41 Prospective buyers should prioritize inspecting rigging and cockpit drainage, as the latter may require upgrades for offshore safety.▶ 7:46
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