1981 Bristol 40
$54,000
Boat in South Dartmouth, MA 02748 US
Built in 1981
40
1 Engine (Westerbeke)
40 feet
Diesel
Fiberglass/Reinforced
ETIKA is a particularly nice Bristol 40 yawl with dark green topsides and standard draft keel. Her current owners purchased her in 2014 from the boat's second owners. She has been stored indoors in a heated building during the winter since 2014. Engine was just removed and sent to Hansen Marine Engineering, Inc. to be thoroughly inspected and serviced, as needed, and painted. Connecting rod bearings were replaced, one injector rebuilt, all new gaskets and seals installed.
ETIKA sparkles. Her good care shows. Her owners have reached an age when owning a powerboat makes best sense.
ETIKA may be easily inspected in her well-lit, heated storage building.
This is an opportunity to own a thoughtfully and beautifully maintained classic boat in what is believed to be excellent condition.
Sleeps 5/6. V berth forward with lockers and drawers below. Custom cushions are miter-cut so they fit against the hull and one another. Enclosed head with shower and vanity next aft to port. There is a curtained area for the shower. One can access the head from both the forward and main cabins. Opposite the head to starboard is a hanging locker. The main cabin features a traditional layout with port and starboard settees. The port settee converts to form a double berth. The dining table, fitted with a leaf, is bulkhead-mounted. Cushions are dark green Ultrasuede. There is storage under the settees, louvered lockers and book shelves outboard of settees, and storage behind the seat back cushions. Galley is located aft to starboard, a forward-facing nav station opposite to starboard and single quarter berth aft of nav station. Varnished teak and holly cabin sole. Mahogany interior.
The custom L-shaped galley is located aft to starboard. The sink area was expanded to accommodate two sinks. A mahogany splashguard was installed forward of the sinks. Three-burner, Shipmate, propane stove with oven (oven not currently working), ice box fitted with Sea Frost 12 volt refrigeration (2023), pressure hot and cold water, and two foot pumps for fresh and salt water.
12 volt DC and 110 volt dockside systems. Two 12 volt batteries (2022), two 6 volt batteries (2023), two battery selector switches. Bass 12 volt circuit breaker distribution panel. Shore power cord.
Raymarine e979 GPS/chartplotter with multifunction display for radar, Raymarine knotmeter, depth, and apparent wind. Radar antenna mounted on mizzen mast. Icom M506 VHF transceiver with AIS reception, Ritchie pedestal-mounted compass.
1981 Westerbeke 40 four-cylinder, fresh-water-cooled, 37 hp diesel engine, freshly reinstalled after a thorough 2026 inspection at Hansen Marine Engineering, Inc. in Marblehead, MA . The following work was performed:
Replaced:
- Oil pan gasket
- Side cover gasket
- Fuel pump gasket
- Valve cover gasket
- Front adaptor plate gasket
- Timing cover/front main seal
Installed new connecting rod bearings
Tested all fuel injectors and installed one rebuilt injector
Renewed thermostat
Changed fuel and oil filters
Changed transmission fluid
Painted engine
Ran engine to make sure it was ready to be re-installed
Classic full keel with attached rudder design. Awlgripped dark green topsides, white deck, and light beige nonskid. Oversized varnished teak toerails. Edson pedestal wheel steering. Bow pulpit, stern rail, double lifelines, and boarding gates both port and starboard. Two opening overhead hatches. Ten portlights, including two opening ports, one in head and one on starboard side of forward cabin. Custom varnished teak dorade boxes with stainless steel dorade vents and stainless steel dorade guards.
1991 keel-stepped, single spreader, Hall Spars main mast, Awlgripped white with internal halyards, Harken genoa roller-furling system (2000), Schaefer block and tackle boom vang, replaced 2023. Nicro Fico mainsheet traveler. Sail inventory consists of Quantum main (2000), mizzen (2000), and 130% genoa (2000). Also included are eight bags of older sails, including: storm jib and trysail, spinnaker, blade, original mainsail, genoa, and mizzen, all of which are in storage, their condition unknown. Winch inventory consists of two Lewmar #48 two-speed self-tailing primary genoa sheet winches, two Lewmar 40 two-speed secondaries, and three mast-mounted Lewmar halyard winches. Three winch handles.
Tan canvas including dodger, sail covers, pedestal cover, hatch covers, and sun awning, white cockpit cushions, electric bilge pump, shower sump pump, two Whale gusher manual bilge pumps (2014), screens for hatches, fenders, dock lines, 35 lb. CQR plow anchor with chain and rode, custom bag for leeboards, boarding ladder, and elkhide oversize wheel. Lifesling. Emergency tiller.
2026
Engine removed and sent to Hansen Marine Engineering, Inc. for servicing. Work included seal and gasket replacement, replacement of connecting rod bearings, testing injectors, installing a rebuilt injector, and painting engine. Engine just reinstalled.
2025
Engine: Replace alternator
Replace battery switch
Replace deck tie rod
Cockpit repairs
Interior refinishing
Replace seacocks (3)
Clean and inspect plumbing
Canvas: clean and water-proof
2024
New Raymarine knotmeter/log, depthsounder, and apparent wind speed/direction indicator
Replace marine toilet
Repair engine oil leak, replace timing cover gasket
2023
Replace engine starter
Replace two 6 volt batteries
Replace Adler Barbour refrigeration system with new Sea Frost refrigeration system
Remove and replace headstay, Windex
New Schaefer boom vang
Strip bottom
2022
New cockpit cushions
Engine: rebuild fuel pump, rebuild alternator,
Remove and replace port main cabin port
Remove and replace opening ports in forward cabin
Replace both 12 volt batteries
Remove and replace fresh and salt water foot pumps in galley
Remove and replace opening overhead hatches in main and forward cabins
Fuel tank access (inspection) plates installed
New bulkhead-mounted brass Chelsea clock
Rebed stainless steel dorade guards
Replace head sink with new stainless steel sink
Replace propane gauge
Repair port boarding gate stanchion
Replace flag halyards
2021
Clean propane locker
Engine: remove and replace timing cover gasket
Remove and replace lifelines
Rigging: replace starboard lower main and mizzen shrouds
2020
Replace main sheet blocks
Engine: replace oil pressure gauge
Touch-up engine paint
Clean fresh water tank
Replace battery switch
Clean and flush bilge
2019
Remove and replace starboard port in forward cabin.
2018
No major work or replacements
2017
Engine: Starter repaired
2016
Replaced failed electric bilge pump
Track stoppers at ends of genoa tracks replaced
Repair propane locker hatch
Paint base of main mast
Connect Icom M-506 VHF transceiver to NMEA 2000 network
Re-cover steering wheel with elkhide
2015
Install new Icom M-506 VHF
Engine: replace starter button, replace raw water pump, clean Racor fuel filter, replace raw water seacock
Replace head shower sump pump
Replace holding tank deck plate
Replace rudder stuffing box
Replace head hoses
Remove and replace deck scupper drain hoses
Replace hot water heater hoses
Install new Raytheon e979 chartplotter/GPS
2014
Engine: rebuild fuel injectors, replace stainless steel muffler with new fiberglass muffler, replace damper
plate, replace aft engine mounts, install new raw water strainer, replace regulator solenoid valve
Replace spreader on main mast
Remove and replace both Whale manual bilge pumps
Replace propane tanks
Remove and replace fuel fill and tank vent hoses
Remove and replace aft chainplate for main mast
Rebed all chainplate covers
Repair fiberglass companionway hatch
Replace both 12 volt batteries
Running rigging
Roller furling control line (original – 2000)
Port genoa halyard new 2017
Starboard genoa halyard new 2016
Spinnaker halyard new 2019
Spinnaker pole topping lift new 2019
Genoa sheets new 2020 (40’ each)
Main halyard new 2016
Boom topping lift new 2015
Mainsail outhaul – original
Mainsail, first reefing line new 2019
Mainsail, second reefing line new 2016
Mainsheet new 2021 (75’)
Boom vang lines new 2023
Flag halyard, main, new 2022
Flag halyard, mizzen, new 2022
Mizzen halyard new 2019
Mizzen sheet new 2019
Mizzen staysail halyard new 2019
Mizzen boom topping lift new 2019
Spinnaker sheets – none
Dock lines
Four new 25’ lines with eye new 2019
Two 30’ docklines – original
The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.
Price History
| Date | Event | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 4/12/26 | Initial price | $54,000 |
1981 Bristol 40 Video Tours
Overview from around the web 1981 Bristol 40
Customers consistently praise the 1981 Bristol 40 for its classic design, solid construction, and exceptional sailing performance
Many highlight its spacious and comfortable interior, which makes it well-suited for extended cruising. Owners appreciate the boat’s stability and seaworthiness, noting that it handles well in a variety of conditions. The timeless aesthetic and quality craftsmanship continue to attract sailors who value both functionality and style in a traditional cruising yacht. Overall, feedback emphasizes the Bristol 40’s reliability and enduring appeal as a beloved vessel for serious sailors.
The Biggest Pros and Cons
The 1981 Bristol 40 is a classic cruiser known for its solid construction and timeless design. Here are some of the pros and cons of this model:
Pros
Sturdy Build: The Bristol 40 is renowned for its robust, hand-crafted fiberglass hull and traditional wood trim, offering durability and longevity.
Seaworthy Design: With a full keel and moderate displacement, it provides excellent stability and comfortable handling in various sea conditions.
Spacious Interior: The layout typically includes ample living space with a well-appointed cabin, making it suitable for extended cruising.
Classic Aesthetics: Its elegant lines and classic styling appeal to sailors who appreciate traditional yacht design.
Good Resale Value: Due to its reputation and quality, the Bristol 40 tends to hold value well over time.
Cons
Weight and Speed: The heavier displacement and full keel design mean it is not as fast or agile as lighter, fin-keel modern cruisers.
Maintenance: The traditional woodwork requires regular upkeep to maintain its appearance and integrity.
Limited Modern Amenities: Being a design from the early 1980s, it may lack some of the contemporary conveniences and technology found on newer boats.
Interior Headroom: While comfortable, the cabin headroom may feel somewhat limited compared to more modern designs prioritizing spacious interiors.
Made For
The 1981 Bristol 40 is ideal for sailors seeking a classic, well-crafted cruising sailboat that combines traditional design with reliable performance. It is perfect for those who appreciate solid construction, comfortable accommodations, and a vessel capable of handling extended coastal cruising or offshore passages with confidence. Whether you're an experienced sailor or a cruising enthusiast looking for a timeless boat with proven seaworthiness, the Bristol 40 offers a blend of elegance and durability suited for adventurous and leisurely sailing alike.
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Meet the Broker
Address
Boat Location
Contact Lawson Yachts LLC about 1981 Bristol 40
190 Lincoln St, Hingham, MA, 02043
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