Bristol 45.5 Sailboats for Sale & Market Overview

Ted Hood·1979 – 1989·Bristol Yachts
Bristol 45.5 drawingBuilder drawing
Hull type
Monohull · centerboard
Rig
Masthead Sloop
LOA
45.25' · 13.79 m
Displ.
34,660 lbs · 15,722 kg
First year
1979

The Bristol 45.5 stands as one of the most distinguished examples of the "American FullPowered Cruiser" era, representing a highwater 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, seakindly platform for offshore passagemaking while maintaining the shallowdraft versatility required for East Coast and Caribbean cruising. As a centercockpit vessel with a heavydisplacement hull, it was often marketed as a production alternative to the semicustom 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 bluewater classics.

Market snapshot

Median asking · 12 mo
$ 102,000
Ask, not sold · 6 listings
Recent listings · 90 d
1
6 tracked · 12 mo
3-month price trend
-2.9%
vs. 12-mo median
Countries with listings
1
United States (100.0%)

Recent Listings

3 for sale · sampled 10 newest

Where they're listed

Bristol 45.5 listings span 1 country. United States leads with 5 listings.

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

Country breakdown

5 listings · 1 country
CountryMedian askListings · 12 moActive · 90 dShare
United States$ 105,00050100.0%

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
Catalina 44544.42'$ 299,0005420
Bristol 35.535.5'$ 39,7004219
Little Harbor 4040.16'$ 40,750263
Bristol 38.838.25'$ 63,900209
Bristol 41.141.14'$ 69,999206
Island Packet 44545.75'$ 359,000178
Bristol 29.929.92'$ 11,700141
Island Packet 4545.25'$ 149,500131
Dufour Classic 4545.92'$ 111,212124
Bristol 45.5You are here$ 102,00061
Bristol 3232'$ 15,95061

Frequently asked questions

01How much does a used Bristol 45.5 cost?+
The median asking price for a used Bristol 45.5 over the past 12 months is $102,000. Prices vary by condition, year, equipment, and location.
02How many Bristol 45.5 sailboats are for sale?+
1 Bristol 45.5 listing has gone live in the last 90 days, and 6 have been tracked across the past 12 months.
03Are Bristol 45.5 prices going up or down?+
The median asking price for the Bristol 45.5 has decreased by 2.9% over the last 3 months compared to the 12-month median.
04Where are Bristol 45.5 sailboats for sale?+
The top markets for used Bristol 45.5 listings over the past 12 months are United States (100.0%).
05Do Bristol 45.5 listings get price reductions?+
About 25% of Bristol 45.5 listings have had a price reduction, with an average discount of 10.0% off the original ask. A listing that has been on the market more than 90 days without a reduction usually signals the seller is not motivated.
06What should I look at instead of a Bristol 45.5?+
Comparable models include Catalina 445, Bristol 35.5, Little Harbor 40. See the peer cross-shop table above for pricing and availability.