1981 Bristol 40 sloop
$67,500
Boat in Chestertown, MD 21620 US
40 sloop
1 Engine (Westerbeke)
40 feet
Diesel
Fiberglass/Reinforced
If you are seeking a classic cruising sailboat in this size and price range, you will have a tough time finding one as gorgeous, well-maintained and upgraded as Whistler. This 1981 Bristol 40 keel/centerboard sloop is hull 130 of 149 built, and she benefits from years of continuous attention. The Bristol 40 is a well-regarded Ted Hood design, and is a carefully planned, well-constructed and sturdily built vessel that can take you anywhere in classic style. The Cruising Club of America declared the Bristol 40 to be one of the best monohull cruising vessels of all time. This boat is the perfect coastal cruiser for a couple. Notable features and upgrades include:
- New sails and running rigging
- Newer Raymarine electronics with radar
- Installed cabin plug-in water-cooled heat/AC system
- Electric head with freshwater flush
- Centerboard keel: draft 4' board up or 7' 10" board down
Whistler is under winter cover now, but will be commissioned for the season and launched soon. See full listing and call broker for even more details!
All exterior brightwork in excellent condition
Anchor Windlass: Lewmar windlass with foot buttons at bow and up/down control at helm
Bow roller forward with plow anchor with chain/rope rode
Canvas Bimini
Canvas Dodger
Canvas Hatch covers
Canvas Mainsail Cover
Centerboard cable replaced around 2010
Centerboard full keel with encapsulated lead ballast
Cockpit cushions
Cockpit with full lazarette storage both port and starboard
Deck: 3x polished stainless steel dorade vents
Deck: lifelines replaced 2021
Deck: transom mounted swim ladder
Hull is solid fiberglass, with Navy Blue Awlgrip paint
Lifesling
LPG locker on aft deck
Mast: steaming light / flood light
Masthead anchor and running lights
Running lights on deck are LED
Steering cables replaced around 2010
Varnished cockpit boards, hatch boards & toe rail
Varnished rub rail keeps the topsides looking good
Varnished teak hatch covers
Cabin & V-berth Heat & Air Conditioning: dockside water-cooled heat/AC – 2022
Cabin bookshelves
Cabin drawer storage under settees
Cabin floor refinished 2022
Cabin folding dining table
Cabin heater: Propane heater
Cabin salon settees double as sea berths
Cabin TV: flat screen TV
Cabinet storage lockers
Dome lights are all selectable red/white
Galley 3-burner propane stove/oven
Galley refrigerator: Isotherm water-cooled 12v DC - 2021
Galley SS sink with freshwater faucet
Head hoses upgraded in 2022
Head Shower
Head sink with vanity
Head storage lockers
Head toilet: Raritan Electric freshwater flush with control panel – 2022
Interior lights all retrofitted with LED’s
Pumps: automatic electric bilge pump (manual one out of service)
Quarter berth
V-berth drawer storage
V-berth forward cabin with filler cushion
Ventilation in main cabin: large overhead opening hatch and opening ports
Ventilation in V-berth: 2x opening window ports
Water heater: on-demand propane-fired hot water heater
Main: Bacon full batten mainsail with lazy jacks - 2023
Jib: Bacon 135% roller furling genoa – 2023
Downwind: Doyle asym sail tacks to bow
Running rigging all replaced - 2023
2x Lewmar 48 primary winches - 2007
2x Lewmar 42 secondary winches
2x Lewmar 24 cabin-top winches
Harken cabin-top traveler
2x SS horn cleats for jib sheets
VHF: fixed-station ICOM VHF with cockpit RAM mic and hailer horn for auto fog horns
Stereo with cabin & cockpit speakers
Autopilot: Raymarine wheel pilot – 2018
Radar: Raymarine wifi radar new in 2023, with radome in mast cage
MFD: Raymarine Axiom 9 at helm with Radar – GPS – AIS
Instruments: bulkhead mounted Raymarine i70’s
2,431 hours on well-maintained Westerbeke 40hp diesel
Rebuilt out of boat at 1100 hours including new engine mounts
Transmission rebuilt 2013
Three-blade fixed bronze propeller
Alternator & water pump new 2024
Dripless shaft seal
2x house batteries Group 24 new 2022
2x engine batteries Group 24 new 2023
Shore power system
Battery charger
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 9/5/25 | Price decreased | $67,500(-10.0%) |
| 3/10/25 | Initial price | $75,000 |
Videos from East Coast Yacht Sales on this 1981 Bristol 40 sloop
1981 Bristol 40 sloop Video Tours
Be the first to know when similar boats hit the market
Get notified when new boats become available
Meet the Broker

Address
Other Information about East Coast Yacht Sales
East Coast Yacht Sales is a high quality dealership and brokerage firm with a charismatic team of experienced yacht consultants, service technicians, and support staff who all have a passion for people, boats, and the water. Dealers for Axopar, Targa, Sirena, Boston BoatWorks, & J Boats.
With almost 40 years in the business, East Coast Yacht Sales has grown to eight offices throughout the northeast. You can find ECYS in the same Yarmouth, ME flagship location that was its birthplace, in addition to: Camden and Belfast, ME, Manchester, MA, Newport, RI, Mystic, CT, Long Island, NY, Atlantic Highlands, NJ and Annapolis, MD.
Boat Location
Contact East Coast Yacht Sales
78 First Ave, Atlantic HIghlands, New Jersey, 07716
















































