Bristol 35.5 or Bristol 40

[Sonny Lange]

Hi All

I am looking at purchasing a Bristol 35.5 or 40. My leaning is toward the 35.5 as this has the centerboard. My destinations at first will be the Bahamas as a shake down then further afield to the San Blas and on to the Pacific. This is a long term plan. I will be leaving hopefully in 1.5 years.

What are the opinions on doing this on the 35.5c or would the 40 be better suited? What items are inherent to look for when purchasing one of these boats beside the normal?

Sonny

[Rob Jackson]

Hey Sonny,

Trip sounds fantastic. I just bought a 1967 Bristol 39 which has a full keel which I default to. I’m sure others will chime in. 

But please, find a reputable and highly recommended marine surveyor before you buy. I ended up using someone who did a terrible job and I’m paying for it now. Another suggestion is to have someone, a friend or other knowledgeable Mariner when you are getting serious. I was in love when I found my boat after a 4 yr search and that is a recipe for disaster. Had I brought one of my many serious sailing friends with me they would have tempered my starry eyed condition and helped secure a much better price. 

I do love my boat, just hindsight (as always) highlights what would have been a better approach. 

Cheers,

Rob 

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Bristol Yachts" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to bristol-yacht...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/bristol-yachts/168600cd-baec-4519-bf79-f2f8b1c69e06n%40googlegroups.com.

[jdavignon]

Sonny,

Both are good possibilities.  The 40 is an older design and will be good in rough weather;  the 35.5 has slightly more beam so the interior space will be comparable.  I have a 35 which has a similar hull shape to the 40 and I did the Atlantic circle in it and never felt in danger.  Any older Bristol is likely to have moisture in the deck balsa core.  The older design has very thick fiberglass and so there should be no noticeable softness.  Of more interest to you will be how it is equipped.  My 35 has been extensively upgraded for offshore trips.  I live in the Boston area and would be happy to discuss the various trade offs in a long trip (617-459-0640).

Joe

B35 Reflection

Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 20, 2021, at 3:14 PM, Rob Jackson <robjac...@gmail.com> wrote:



To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/bristol-yachts/CAGsvKUKw3p3t50o%2BOyXJWZx8Ddx5KxnRPpZheMMzUBYRxajP%2BA%40mail.gmail.com.

[dcneuro dcneuro.net]

I have a 40, it has a centerboard. This was indeed an option on the 40’s. And, I do use it, frequently. 

Sent from my iPad

Dr. S.

On Apr 20, 2021, at 4:32 PM, 'jdavignon' via Bristol Yachts <bristol...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

 Sonny,

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/bristol-yachts/37B90C6A-7FD8-4688-AA89-48819ADF9068%40yahoo.com.

[Christian Moreau]

Center-board on older boats are a potential problem and need to be seriously checked out.

On Tue, Apr 20, 2021 at 2:43 PM Sonny Lange <sonny...@gmail.com> wrote:

--

[M K]

1. A shallow draft boat has more choices to accessible safe shallow water anchorages than a deeper draft boat.  We used to sail a 6' draft boat.  Decided the next one would be less than 4'3".   More anchorages, can walk around the hull in 5' of water to clean the waterline, easier to work on shore - shorter ladder, etc.

2. With board up, and heeled over reaching, the 35.5c tends to float like a seagull, rising and falling as the waves pass under, reducing the rolling - relatively a lot more comfortable, than a deeper keel.

3. We try not to beat to weather ( choose a different destination), but with the board down, she will point nicely.

4. We do raise or lower the centerboard at least weekly, preferably daily, to not wear a particular place in the cable.  

5. We usually let the board down a little, e.g., ~15",  less than the width of the board, when docking to give a little more control and resistance to being blown sideways.

6. Centerboards do require more maintenance of the cable and winch, forward pin, and the turning blocks to lead the cable to the deck.  Maybe every 10-20 years...

7. One head is enough.  I do not want to maintain two heads.  Lavac system is reliable and simple.  

8. Usually a 35' dock is available on short notice.   40' and longer docks often require reservations and cost a lot more.  

9. Smaller boat = smaller budget

The Bristol 38, 40 and larger are beautiful boats.  But for a couple or family of 4 or 5, the 35.5c is big enough...

Marilyn

[M K]

I forgot to mention the "Comfort Factor Score"   A Sail Data excel spreadsheet used to be on a website.  The Bristol 35.5c ranked 5th from the top...1700 sail boats in the list.

A partial analysis:   Lots more columns and boats.  

"NAME"	"DESIGNER"	"SCORE"	"LOA"	"LWL"	"BEAM"	"DRAFT"	"TYPE"	"RIG"	"DISP"	"BALL"	"SA"
CAMBRIA 40	WALTERS	100.0	41.4	32.5	12.2	7.5		CUTTER	22200	9500	801
OPTIMAL BLUE WATER CRUISER	See OPTIMAL VALUES PAGE	100.0	40.1	30.5	11.7	6.0	FIN+SKEG	CUTTER	19800	8000	745
PEARSON 40 (1977)	SHAW, cw9/01p124	92.1	39.9	31.3	12.5	4.25-9.4	CB, (1977-1982) 71 hulls	SLOOP	22800	12000	802
Royal Passport 43, cw10/99p161	Perry, cw2/01p124,cw1/01p51	91.6	43.0	33.6	12.7	5.8	long fin-skeg, cb, ext. counter transom	sloop	24500	8530	851
Bristol 35.5c	HOOD	89.8	35.5	27.5	10.8	3.8/5.8	cb-skeg	sloop	15000	7000	589
CONTEST 42	ZAAL	89.5	41.3	32.0	12.7	6.4	FIN KEEL	SLOOP	24230	10572	810
SHANNON 37	SCHULZ	88.8	37.8	30.8	11.5	5.0	CB	CUTTER	18500	6500	703
IRWIN 42	IRWIN	88.5	42.5	35.1	13.3	5.7	FIN KEEL	KETCH	29000	12000	960
Hinckley Sou'wester 42 Mk II	cw 10/95p137	88.3	42.8	31.3	12.5	5.0-9.2		sloop	23500	9000	826
HALLBERG-RASSY 42	Frers,cw12/97p90, hallberg-rassy.se	87.5	43.3	39.3	12.8	6.5	(1991-2001) 181 hulls, CE=A	SLOOP	28000	10528	958
HORIZON 39	BORGE	87.5	39.0	29.7	11.3	4.0	LONG FIN, SKEG, CB	CUTTER	18500	7500	719
Pacific Seacraft 40, sloop	Crealock	87.5	40.3	31.3	12.4	6.1	LPS=140	sloop	23000	8600	847

Ballast of 7,000 pounds of the total displacement, 15,000 pounds, keeps the weight low.  This boat has amazing performance in very light airs, with very little wetted surface area, and comfort in the heavy going...

--

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Bristol Yachts" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to bristol-yacht...@googlegroups.com.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/bristol-yachts/0ee737c5-dd07-486b-91ee-839be6cc95den%40googlegroups.com.

[Sonny Lange]

Marilyn

Great info and very well put. Sounds like you have enjoyed the boat.

Thanks!

Sonny

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/bristol-yachts/CAFNZt%3D_h2P91jy_m4eQRAFKo%2BEbyquNg0FDukAYuoMG9drwWDQ%40mail.gmail.com.

[Mike L]

I was faced with the same decision. I opted for the Bristol 40 w/ Keel. I love the boat. Has wheel steering which lends itself to autopilot.

6 foot draft is enough and rarely a depth problem vs 5 feet.

To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/bristol-yachts/CALz%2BYZSrR%3DB9sWJk9jCg5nTwBwV7ay0XMQY9vRmzdBqmOMqQig%40mail.gmail.com.