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.
Used Bristol 45.5 Sailboats for Sale
- Make
- Bristol
- Model
- 45.5
- Builder
- Bristol Yachts
- Designer
- Ted Hood
- Number Built
- Production Year(s)
- 1979 - 1989
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