title: Bristol 39
text: # Bristol 39
  
  The Bristol 39 is an American sailboat that was designed by Ted Hood as a racer-cruiser and first built in 1966.
  
  ## Production
  
  The Bristol 39 was produced 1966-1970 and was replaced in production by the Bristol 40, which was built from 1970–1986. Both are related designs, from the same hull molds. They have same the same principle dimensions, but have different lengths overall, 39.00 ft (11.89 m) versus 40.16 ft (12.24 m).
  
  The Bristol 39 was built by Bristol Yachts in Bristol, Rhode Island, United States. The company produced 58 examples of the type, before production shifted to the Bristol 40.
  
  ## Design
  
  The Bristol 39 is a recreational keelboat, built predominantly of fiberglass, with wood trim. It has a masthead sloop rig. It features a spooned raked stem, a raised counter reverse transom, a keel-mounted rudder controlled by a wheel and a fixed modified long keel, with a cutaway forefoot. A stub keel and centerboard was optional. It displaces 17,580 lb (7,974 kg) and carries 6,500 lb (2,948 kg) of lead ballast.
  
  The boat has a draft of 5.40 ft (1.65 m) with the standard long keel, while the centreboard-equipped version has a draft of 7.8 ft (2.4 m) with the centreboard extended and 4.0 ft (1.2 m) with it retracted, allowing operation in shallow water.
  
  The boat is fitted with a Perkins Engines 4-107 diesel engine for docking and maneuvering. The fuel tank holds 25 U.S. gallons (95 L; 21 imp gal) and the fresh water tank has a capacity of 130 U.S. gallons (490 L; 110 imp gal).
  
  ## Operational history
  
  Bob Pingel, writing in Sailing Magazine in 2011 noted, "I recently conducted one of my cruising boat buyer's workshops and one of the attendees, Mark Mesone, was determined to buy a used Bristol 39 or 40 ... Mesone had concluded that the Bristol was the boat for him because it was beautiful, well built, large enough to live aboard with style, and when compared to more modern boats, quite affordable. He also loved the idea of owning a "classic." I couldn't find fault with any of his arguments."
  
  