Bristol 40 Cutter
Description
The Bristol 40 Cutter is a variant of the classic Bristol 40 racer-cruiser sailboat, built by Bristol Yachts in Bristol, Rhode Island, from 1970 to 1986 (following the closely related Bristol 39 from 1966–1970; total production ~207 hulls across models). Designed by renowned naval architect Ted Hood, it shares the same timeless traditional aesthetics as the yawl version you asked about previously: long overhangs, graceful sheer, low freeboard, narrow beam, spooned raked stem, raised counter reverse transom, and a modified full keel (with cutaway forefoot for improved maneuverability). The cutter rig was an optional configuration (alongside the standard masthead sloop and yawl), featuring an inner forestay for a staysail/jib, allowing versatile sail plans for shorthanded cruising, better heavy-weather balance, and easier sail management compared to a large genoa. The cutter rig provides practical advantages over the yawl for many owners—smaller, more manageable headsails, reduced windage, and better performance in varied conditions—while maintaining the boat's seaworthy, comfortable character. It's a moderate performer -- excels on reaches/runs (won class in Marion to Bermuda Race twice), has a soft motion, and benefits from early reefing due to initial tenderness from the narrow beam and moderate displacement.
Construction Details
| Designer | Hood, Ted |
|---|---|
| Builder | Bristol Yachts |
| Length | 40.000 ft |
| LOA | 40.160 ft |
| LWL | 27.540 ft |
| Beam | 10.750 ft |
| Displacement | 17580 lb |
| Ballast | 6500 lb |
| Max Draft | 5.370 ft |
| Year Built | 1970 |
The standard boat dimensions
| i | 45.50 ft |
|---|---|
| j | 17.50 ft |
| p | 39.40 ft |
| e | 15.70 ft |
| p2 | - |
| e2 | - |
| i2 | - |
| j2 | - |
| I | J | P | E | P2 | E2 | I2 | J2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45.50 ft | 17.50 ft | 39.40 ft | 15.70 ft | - | - | - | - |
Sails
Bristol 40 Cutter - MAINSAIL
| Luff | * 39.4 ft - (12009 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 15.7 ft - (4785 mm) |
| Leech | * 41.62 ft - (12686 mm) |
| Tack Angle | * 88 ° |
| Diagonal | * 41.9 ft - (12771 mm) |
| Head (inches) | * 6 in - (152 mm) |
| Area | * 317.75 ft² |
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Bristol 40 Cutter - JIBSAIL
| Luff | 40 ft - (12192 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | 20 ft - (6096 mm) |
| Leech | 36.5 ft - (11125 mm) |
| Percentage LP | * 103.83 % |
| Length Perpendicular | * 18.17 ft - (5538 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 3.63 ° |
| Area | * 363.5 ft² |
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Bristol 40 Cutter - GENOA
| Luff | 46 ft - (14021 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | 27 ft - (8230 mm) |
| Leech | 42.5 ft - (12954 mm) |
| Percentage LP | * 140.17 % |
| Length Perpendicular | * 24.53 ft - (7477 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 3.68 ° |
| Area | * 564.1 ft² |
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Bristol 40 Cutter - ASYMMETRICAL
| Luff | 47 ft - (14326 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | 28 ft - (8534 mm) |
| Leech | 45 ft - (13716 mm) |
| Perc LP | * 165 % |
| Area | * 987 ft² |
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Bristol 40 Cutter - STORMJIB
| Luff | * 26.81 ft - (8172 mm) |
|---|---|
| Foot | * 13.71 ft - (4179 mm) |
| Leech | * 20.83 ft - (6349 mm) |
| Perc LP | * 60 % |
| Length Perp | * 10.5 ft - (3200 mm) |
| Deck Angle | * 18.99 ° |
| Area | * 140.72 ft² |
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Disclaimer. Boats are not all the same -- even when produced in the same factory of the same model. Sailrite does its best to publish accurate dimensions, but we often find it worthwhile to have our customers measure their boats carefully before we produce kits for them. You should take the same precautions, especially when the data is not from Sailrite. The information on this site is not guaranteed to be accurate. Sailrite offers this content as a service to our community, but takes no responsibility for the reliability of the data provided.