Bristol 38.8 Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview

Ted Hood·1982 – 1996·~82 hulls·Bristol Yachts
Bristol 38.8 drawingBuilder drawing
Hull type
Monohull · centerboard
Rig
Masthead Sloop
LOA
38.25' · 11.66 m
Displ.
19,150 lbs · 8,686 kg
First year
1982

The Bristol 38.8 stands as a quintessential example of the "second generation" of Bristol Yachts, representing a period where the builder transitioned from the narrower, traditional Alberg designs to the beamier, highperformance cruising hulls of Ted Hood. Introduced in 1982, the 38.8 was designed to occupy the sweet spot between the immensely popular Bristol 35.5 and the larger, more complex Bristol 41.1. This model is often cited by maritime historians as the productionline cousin to Ted Hood’s prestigious Little Harbor series, sharing the signature "whalebottom" hull form and a versatile keelcenterboard configuration. Built with the "overbuilt" philosophy common to the Rhode Island yard, the 38.8 features a solid fiberglass hull and an encapsulated lead keel, avoiding the maintenance headaches associated with external keel bolts.

Market snapshot

Median asking · 12 mo
$ 63,900
Ask, not sold · 20 listings
Recent listings · 90 d
9
20 tracked · 12 mo
3-month price trend
-1.6%
vs. 12-mo median
Countries with listings
2
United States (94.4%) · Australia (5.6%)

Recent Listings

16 for sale · sampled 10 newest

Where they're listed

Bristol 38.8 listings span 2 countries. United States leads with 17 listings (94.4%), followed by Australia.

Median ask by country
USD · past 12 months
Share of listings
Count · past 12 months

Country breakdown

18 listings · 2 countries
CountryMedian askListings · 12 moActive · 90 dShare
United States$ 64,90017794.4%
Australia$ 98,546105.6%

Comparable models

Similar length overall, displacement, and era. Click a row to jump to that model's market page.

Peer cross-shop

11 designs · same segment
ModelLOAMedian askListings · 12 moActive · 90 d
Bristol 35.535.5'$ 39,7004219
Little Harbor 4040.16'$ 40,750263
Hallberg-Rassy 3837.96'$ 78,7562612
Bristol 38.8You are here$ 63,900209
Bristol 41.141.14'$ 69,999206
Bristol Channel Cutter37.75'$ 139,000166
Wauquiez Hood 3838.06'$ 59,800156
Caliber 3838'$ 84,500159
Bristol 29.929.92'$ 11,700141
Bristol 3232'$ 15,95061
Morgan 3837.67'$ 44,97555

Frequently asked questions

01How much does a used Bristol 38.8 cost?+
The median asking price for a used Bristol 38.8 over the past 12 months is $63,900. Prices vary by condition, year, equipment, and location.
02How many Bristol 38.8 sailboats are for sale?+
9 Bristol 38.8 listings have gone live in the last 90 days, and 20 have been tracked across the past 12 months.
03Are Bristol 38.8 prices going up or down?+
The median asking price for the Bristol 38.8 has decreased by 1.6% over the last 3 months compared to the 12-month median.
04Where are Bristol 38.8 sailboats for sale?+
The top markets for used Bristol 38.8 listings over the past 12 months are United States (94.4%), Australia (5.6%).
05Do Bristol 38.8 listings get price reductions?+
About 71% of Bristol 38.8 listings have had a price reduction, with an average discount of 13.6% off the original ask. A listing that has been on the market more than 90 days without a reduction usually signals the seller isn't motivated.
06What should I look at instead of a Bristol 38.8?+
Comparable models include Bristol 35.5, Little Harbor 40, Hallberg-Rassy 38. See the peer cross-shop table above for pricing and availability.