Bristol Yachts had a spotty record?

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dave nederhood

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Feb 23, 2023, 9:19:34 PM2/23/23
to Bristol Yacht owners
Reading John Kretschmer's 2014 book, "Sailing A Serious Ocean" and on page 99 when talking about the Bristol 40 (which he approves of) he notes, "Bristol Yachts in Rhode Island had a spotty record as a builder, but most 40s were well built, and the boat's sweet shape is a home on the ocean, the key to any bluewater boat." 
Can anyone point me to a source for his opinion? Or know of such, regarding Bristol builds?
A surprise to me, but I have not read an in depth history of Bristol.
thnks
dave 

Martin Bloodnick

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Feb 23, 2023, 9:23:01 PM2/23/23
to dave nederhood, Bristol Yacht owners
I have a 24 Bristol looking to give away if anyone is interested I’m on LI,NY


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Peter Hackes

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Feb 23, 2023, 9:42:48 PM2/23/23
to bristol-ya...@googlegroups.com
I have a 1975 27.7 in mint condition for sale, with lots of improvements and extras like radar, in Galesville, MD, if there is any interest.

Thanks!

Peter


On Thursday, February 23, 2023, 'Martin Bloodnick' via Bristol Yacht owners <bristol-ya...@googlegroups.com> wrote:
I have a 24 Bristol looking to give away if anyone is interested I’m on LI,NY


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On Thursday, February 23, 2023, 9:19 PM, dave nederhood <dneder...@gmail.com> wrote:

Reading John Kretschmer's 2014 book, "Sailing A Serious Ocean" and on page 99 when talking about the Bristol 40 (which he approves of) he notes, "Bristol Yachts in Rhode Island had a spotty record as a builder, but most 40s were well built, and the boat's sweet shape is a home on the ocean, the key to any bluewater boat." 
Can anyone point me to a source for his opinion? Or know of such, regarding Bristol builds?
A surprise to me, but I have not read an in depth history of Bristol.
thnks
dave 

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Michelle Tang

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Feb 23, 2023, 9:56:03 PM2/23/23
to dave nederhood, Bristol Yacht owners
I have never heard of anyone referring to a Bristol in anything other than glowing terms. 

That comment sure surprises the heck out of me.

Michelle
Cha Ching 
B 41.1

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David Rosmarin

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Feb 23, 2023, 11:13:13 PM2/23/23
to Michelle Tang, dave nederhood, Bristol Yacht owners
As a novice graduating from a day sailer to a Bristol 35.5 years ago, I did not appreciate how poorly designed they are for single handing. The jib winch is 4 feet forward of the wheel, which spans just about the whole width of the bench to bench cockpit. Also, she sports an oddly static traveler: just a fixed block forward of the compass. Not a halyard within 20 feet. 
In fact, just purchased a new Raymarine ev-100 wheel autohelm to compensate for the wheel-winch obstacle. 

Still, she sails lovely and regularly catches and passes 42 footers in modest wind. 

David 

On Feb 23, 2023, at 9:56 PM, 'Michelle Tang' via Bristol Yacht owners <bristol-ya...@googlegroups.com> wrote:



BRUCE TRAUBEN

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Feb 23, 2023, 11:13:39 PM2/23/23
to Michelle Tang, dave nederhood, Bristol Yacht owners
I’ve read reviews describing the Bristol joinery as good, but certainly not a glowing recommendation.  That said, I’m not ready to part with my 29.9 any time soon. 

On Feb 23, 2023, at 9:56 PM, 'Michelle Tang' via Bristol Yacht owners <bristol-ya...@googlegroups.com> wrote:



James Lamb

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Feb 24, 2023, 6:41:04 AM2/24/23
to BRUCE TRAUBEN, Michelle Tang, dave nederhood, Bristol Yacht owners
Which part of his opinion?  the "spotty record" part or the "well built ... and sweet shape part.”  the sentence has two unsupported and conflicting opinions.  I consider it artistic license.

I never heard the spotty record part except in the book.  I hear the second part all the time.  I have a 1968 Bristol 39/40 which is better today than when it was built.  I think they have stood the test of time.    

You still find Bristols in demand and loved today.  

Jim Lamb
Ondine
Bristol 39 #25


Joseph D

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Feb 24, 2023, 9:01:06 AM2/24/23
to Bristol Yacht owners, dave nederhood
The only thing I ever heard about a spotty record as a builder was an anecdotal rumor that the bristol hulls laid up in the morning were better fiberglass hulls than those laid in the afternoons. I have never found anything to verify this rumor. As to single-handing, the location of the wheel and the diameter of the wheel are the usual reasons for complaint. The older bristols where all designed as tiller vessels and the wheel was a popular option. I have single-handed on several long offshore passages with no real problems. I suspect it has more to do with adapting to the various compromises in any vessels layout.

Joe
B35 Reflection


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pgnewt

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Feb 24, 2023, 10:47:21 AM2/24/23
to Bristol Yacht owners
My 35.5 has the traveler forward of the companionway with both the main sheet and halyard sharing a winch on the starboard cabin top.  As for the jib, I almost always sail (upwind, anyway) seated on the lee coaming forward of the wheel, which gives me excellent access to the jib sheet winch.  She tracks reasonably well, so if I have to adjust the main, I can do so and get back to the wheel before she wanders too far off track.

art...@artzat.com

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Feb 24, 2023, 6:13:06 PM2/24/23
to David Rosmarin, Michelle Tang, dave nederhood, Bristol Yacht owners

My first “real job” was at a yacht sales & service place called Walet Yacht Sales, in New Orleans. This was in the 1970’s. We commissioned sailboats from many brands.  Columbia, Pearson, Bristol, C&C, Morgan, all the usual suspects (except Cal). Much of my work was fitting out a new boat to suit the owner’s needs. Back then boats were still somewhat “custom” in that sails, winches, and electronics weren’t all factory installed. I worked on both Pearson and Bristol boats that had a lot in common due to their factory location and heritage—general appearance, hatches, woodwork trim, overall construction. Looking back, I’d say the Pearsons were “Chevy” and the Bristols were “Oldsmobile.” We didn’t have many Cadillac boats, but the one or two Hinkleys that passed through were pretty darn nice….and probably still are.

In my experience, most factory boats (especially oldies) will not be set up for single handed sailing. But making a boat suitable for solo isn’t very difficult. My 1972 Bristol 34 is a good example. I bought it 21 years ago and have been “fixing it up” ever since. My first projects involved rigging it so I could sail it solo regardless of my crew. My “mono winch” design has worked very well. Overall, I can’t find any construction issues with the boat that is now 50 years old. The hull, deck, and rigging have held up very well. I get typical deck leaks on the toe rail, and once had I broken bearing on the rudder bottom, but I haver have worried about the boat itself.

 

The engine, however, has been my biggest headache. I think the boat originally had an Atomic 4, but in the 80’s it was fitted with a Westerbeke W27 that is shoehorned into the engine compartment. The motor works well for an oldie, but access is inconvenient, and it’s more motor than the boat needs. Last Oct the exhaust manifold broke. I was disappointed and figured I’d need $1K or more to fix it. Ha!  Money was the small part of the problem. Getting the key part (manifold) was nearly impossible. Westerbeke promised 2-3 week delivery around Nov 1. Time passed, and no manifold. Two weeks ago, after a month of study and planning, I was ready to pull the trigger on an electric conversion.  I could disassemble the old motor and get it out in pieces. The heaviest part of the electric system was 60 pounds, so a DIY was feasible.  I had very little interest in having an electric boat, but it would work for my minimal motoring needs. It would be a $10-12K project

 

I contacted my parts dealer to cancel the order if Wbeke couldn’t deliver shortly. Surprise surprise! They had the manifold ready to go. They were waiting on a darn mixer elbow! I don’t know how long Wbeke had sat on the manifold waiting for what is essentially a commodity component.

 

I told them to ship the manifold, I would handle the rest. The manifold arrived two weeks ago. It wasn’t an exact replacement, so some adventures in plumbing were needed. I found a Wbeke mixer elbow on Ebay, brand new, delivered in 2 days.  But it all finally came together, and I had a run test today, first time the motor has run in five months. Whew!  I’m ready to go sailing.

 

Here’s a link to the boat if anyone is interested. I made this page to sell the boat a year ago. But after seeing it on the web I “sold it to myself” and decided to hang on to it for a few more years.

 

www.artzat.com/gusto

 

 

Arthur Zatarain, PE

Artzat Consulting

504-837-3090 central time

art...@artzat.com

www.artzat.com

DeAngelis, Gary

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Feb 24, 2023, 9:13:58 PM2/24/23
to art...@artzat.com, David Rosmarin, Michelle Tang, dave nederhood, Bristol Yacht owners
I've enjoyed reading the different comments and insights regarding the Bristols. And yes Arthur, that is a beautiful boat. Clearly a lot of blood ,sweat, tears and $ have gone into maintenance - but well worth it.I've had a number of boats over the years - the last being a '69 Tartan 37, which I loved, but downsized a few years ago to an '83 Bristol 31 and absolutely love everything about it. Nicest boat I've ever owned - hull must have been laid up in the morning because it is in great shape and just a joy to sail. You have a sweetheart there Arthur so don't let her go - and I wasn't talking about your wife, but maybe her too.
Fair winds for all the Bristols out there.
Gary
Gary Delaney DeAngelis, PhD
Associate Director / Professor
Center for Interdisciplinary Studies/Center for Liberal Arts and the World
Department of Religious Studies/Asian Studies/Environmental Studies
Holy Cross College
Worcester MA 01610
508-793-2498
gdea...@holycross.edu
DeAngelis & Lewis, Teaching Buddhism: New Insights on Understanding and Presenting the Traditions, Oxford University Press,  www.oup.com.
DeAngelis & Frisina, Teaching the Daode Jing, Oxford University Press,  www.oup.com 


david nederhood

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Feb 24, 2023, 9:44:12 PM2/24/23
to art...@artzat.com, DeAngelis, Gary, David Rosmarin, Michelle Tang, dave nederhood, Bristol Yacht owners
Good evening:
Arthur, I echo Gary's call, you have a beautiful boat there and good call keeping her for a few more years. Especially now that you've rigged her for single-handing. And you can keep your back issues of "Good Old Boat", as they are priceless!!
Interesting to hear of your experience prepping Pearsons and Bristols. 

Have had my 1978 35.5cb now for 7 years! My how time flies...been fixing her up since purchase and still at it...

Sailboats are truly one of our most beautiful creations! Love the pictures of Gusto fully under sail, nothing is more captivating...
Obviously I cant wait for Winter to end and need to be out sailing.
thnks
dave 

Arthur Zatarain

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Feb 25, 2023, 8:10:47 PM2/25/23
to DeAngelis, Gary, David Rosmarin, Michelle Tang, dave nederhood, Bristol Yacht owners
Today we had our first sail on Gusto since the engine broke in Oct 2022. While enjoying the 8-10 knot breeze in 78 degree 60% humidity air I decided to clean out the lazarette. I haven’t ever really cleaned it out since I bought Gusto in 2002. Some of this was in the boat when I bought it, but I admit that some of it is mine. I seem to have an issue about parting with old line. Can anyone recommend nautical-junk therapist? 

image0.jpeg

Arthur Zatarain, PE
Artzat Consulting
504-837-3090 office (central time)
Sent from my tablet

On Feb 24, 2023, at 8:14 PM, DeAngelis, Gary <gdea...@holycross.edu> wrote:



david nederhood

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Feb 25, 2023, 8:39:48 PM2/25/23
to DeAngelis, Gary, Arthur Zatarain, David Rosmarin, Michelle Tang, dave nederhood, Bristol Yacht owners
Arthur, that is soooo GREAT!!!
You, sir have an excellent selection of line....I love line/rope too...have a plastic 2.5ft x 4ft crate in garage filled with line + line of various sorts from sta-set X to dyneema to new/unpacked dock lines (can never tell when I'll need the extra to tie her down prior to hurricane landing on CT).  Some with snap shackles, some with mainsheet blocks. Any open hook or pole in the garage has line drapped over it...some white, red, blue, speckled. I go to Defender and rifle thru the remnant tank looking for lengths of line for......well, just to buy!  So when you find someone to help you with a sailboat line intervention, pls send them my way next because I just can not throw away 1 foot...ugh...  PS...just had a thot...it's been 3 yrs since I replaced my running rigging....I'll be looking for any sign of chafe and if noted, replacing all 5 halyards & the topping lift!!

Michelle Tang

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Feb 25, 2023, 8:53:44 PM2/25/23
to Arthur Zatarain, Bristol Yacht owners
Hi Arthur,

My sympathies, but I believe this illness is incurable. 

I seem to have a much more advanced stage of this disease, not just "line-itis". It could not be contained and has now spread into other cavities of the boat, manifesting itself as: 
spare-anchorline-itis, spare-mooring-pennant-itis, as well as emergency-tow-rope-itis.

Last time I had a surveyor on board, he acknowledged the severity of my illness and recommended that I unload a couple of baskets of spare line, which I did.

But at the next couple of R&W Rope-fest sales, I replenished my spare supply...  :^)

Michelle
S/V Cha Ching
B 41.1

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