The Bristol 45.5 stands as one of the most distinguished examples of the "American Full-Powered Cruiser" era, representing a high-water mark for the collaboration between designer Ted Hood and builder Clint Pearson. Launched in 1979 and produced into the late 1980s, the 45.5 was designed to provide a luxurious, sea-kindly platform for offshore passage-making while maintaining the shallow-draft versatility required for East Coast and Caribbean cruising. As a center-cockpit vessel with a heavy-displacement hull, it was often marketed as a production alternative to the semi-custom Little Harbor yachts, offering similar design DNA at a more accessible price point. The model’s longevity is a testament to its "overbuilt" construction, a hallmark of Bristol Yachts that has earned the 45.5 a permanent spot on lists of respected blue-water classics.
Bristol 45.5 Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview
- Make
- Bristol
- Model
- 45.5
- Builder
- Bristol Yachts
- Designer
- Ted Hood
- Number Built
- Production Year(s)
- 1979 - 1989
Below are the most recent Bristol 45.5 sailboat listings (up to 10).
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| Source | Year | Make | Model | Price | Cabins | Heads | City | Country | Listing Date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
DISCLAIMER: We are not affiliated with any external listing websites in any way. We simply aggregate publicly available listings to make it easier for buyers to find sailboats for sale. We cannot guarantee the accuracy of the listings, so please verify all information with the seller before making any decisions.
Market Overview
Price & Volume Trends
Monthly breakdown
| Month | Listings | Median Asking Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 2025 | 1 | $69,900 |
| Sep 2025 | 1 | $110,000 |
| Oct 2025 | 3 | $105,000 |
| Model | LOA | Median Price (USD) | Listings | Recent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catalina 445 | 44.42' | $299,000 | 44 | 10 |
| Bristol 35.5 | 35.5' | $44,000 | 29 | 6 |
| Little Harbor 40 | 40.16' | $42,500 | 27 | 7 |
| Bristol 41.1 | 41.14' | $74,499 | 17 | 3 |
| Bristol 38.8 | 38.25' | $63,900 | 16 | 4 |
| Bristol 29.9 | 29.92' | $14,500 | 13 | 3 |
| Island Packet 45 | 45.25' | $159,500 | 12 | 0 |
| Dufour Classic 45 | 45.92' | $111,917 | 11 | 3 |
| Bristol 45.5 | $105,000 | 5 | 0 | |
| Bristol 32 | 32' | $16,900 | 5 | 0 |
| Bristol 47.7 | 47' | $198,500 | 3 | 0 |
| Country | Median Price (USD) | Listings (past 12 months) | Recent (90d) |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $105,000 | 5 | 0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does a used Bristol 45.5 cost?
- The median asking price for a used Bristol 45.5 over the past 12 months is $105,000. Prices vary by condition, year, equipment, and location.
- How many Bristol 45.5 sailboats are for sale?
- We have tracked 5 Bristol 45.5 listings over the past 12 months, with 0 listed within the last 90 days.
- What are similar sailboats to the Bristol 45.5?
- Comparable models include the Catalina 445, Bristol 35.5, Little Harbor 40. See the comparison table above for pricing and availability.