1982 Bristol 38.838ft

The Bristol 38.8, designed by Ted Hood and built by Bristol Yachts in Bristol, Rhode Island, is a classic, solid, bluewater cruiser. The 38.8 is very similar to two other fine cruising sailboats off Ted Hood's drawing board, the Wauquiez 38, and the Little Harbor 38. 

The Bristol 38.8 was built from 1982 to 1996, with a total of 82 hulls completed. Serendipity is hull #5. 

The 38.8 was conceived as a cruising sailboat capable of taking you around the world, or around the bay, in comfort and with respectable speed. As a second-generation Bristol, the 38.8 was built with an emphasis on quality and fine craftsmanship that marked the company as a top-end manufacturer. 

At 12 feet, 1 inch, it is beamier than earlier Bristols of its size, providing a decent amount of interior space and amenities. The cabin is filled with teak or mahogany (either was an option). Serendipity is outfitted with teak interior woodwork, and a teak & holly cabin sole.

Forward, the buyers had an option of a traditional V berth or a double berth to port with a vanity to starboard. Serendipity is outfitted with the double berth to port and a seat to starboard, followed by a vanity to starboard. There is also a filler cushion to extend the double Pullman berth and fill the entire V forward for the best of both worlds.

The Bristol 38.8 has a centerboard with a 4' 6'' minimal draft (board up), a major plus for cruisers who want to be able to gunkhole in the bay and the Bahamas. Maximum draft is 10' 4'' with the board down which helps the boat track better. 

Capsize Ratio is 1.81 and Comfort Ratio is 32.60 making this boat just salty enough to be a comfortable, sturdy, and seaworthy vessel without sacrificing docking and handling. She's little faster than the Westsail 32, Gale Force 34, and Allied Seawind II, and will take you anywhere you want to go, short of the great capes, safely and smoothly. If you do want to circumnavigate, just be sensible and civilized and go through the Panama Canal. 

Cruising Amenities

• Large Seafrost Refrigerator - Runs off engine or 12-volt system
• Solar Panels (160 Watts) & Inverter (2000 Watts)
• Lofrans Electric Windlass 
• Dinghy (2011 Defender RIB) & 6-hp 4-Stroke Yamaha Outboard 
• 100 gallons of Freshwater (2 tanks each holding 50 gallons for a total of 100 gallons)

This is truly a well-maintained vessel that's ready to go cruising this season! Please review maintenance & upgrades lists to that for yourself.

Maintenance & Upgrades

• NEW 30-AMP SHORE POWER INLET REPLACED (2021)
• NEW GALVANIC ISOLATER INSTALLED (2021)
• NEW 125AH AGM BATTERIES REPLACED - 3 NEW AGM BATTERIES TOTAL, 2 HOUSE, 1 STARTER (2021)
• NEW MAST HEAD WIRING (2021)
• NEW RADAR WIRING (2021)
• NEW NAVIGATION LIGHTS - REPLACED WITH LED (2021)
• NEW VHF ANTENNA (2021)
• ALL NEW USCG SAFETY EQUIPMENT REPLACED (2021)
• NEW CABINTOP WINCHES AND NEW COAMING WINCHES (2021) -ALL REPLACED WITH LEWMAR 2-SPEED,SELF-TAILING WINCHES 
• NEW RUNNING RIGGING (2021) - TOPPING LIFT, TRAVELER, AND FURLING LINES
• STANDING RIGGING PROFESSIONALLY INSPECTED AND TUNED (2021) 
• ENGINE PROFESSIONALLY INSPECTED BY GREEN COVE SPRINGS MARINA IN FLORIDA OF MAY (2021) - REPALCED THE FRESH WATER PUMP AND TRANSMISSION CABLE 
• NEW WATER PUMP (2021)
• ALL INTERIOR WOODWORK REFINISHED AND ALL EXTERIOR BRIGHTWORK REFINISHED (2020 & 2021) - ALL SHOW IN EXCELLENT CONDITION TO DATE
• SEE FULL SPECS!