Bristol 41 Center Cockpit

[Ozznightman]

Hi guys....

Yet another newbie joins the fray.

As a relative newcomer to the Crusing world, (and a POM too!) I decided to seek the help of the real people who are out there ''doing it'' before I venture out there to the blue waters we all dream of and get some feedback on a yacht I have recently seen in a far away land called ''America'' apparently its just across a pond or some such thing!? Anyway.... its a Bristol 41ft center cockpit and the advise I am after is....

is she a true blue water cruiser, is the lifting keel any more of a risk than a spade, am I likely to notice the speed difference if I am just cruising, is she likely to be more tender than a long keel yacht? There now not toooooo many questions all in one go a? lol

Seriously though folks, any help would be deeply apreciated and might just save a coastgaurd somewhere out there a long journey to come get me and my missus one wet and windy night when the keel has dropped off!

Cheers, Richard.

[anjou]

Hi Richard. Just make sure the bolts are done up tight.

[Fishman_Tx]

Here's some specs...
Bristol 41.1

Yes, the Bristols are definitely Water boats">blue water boats I would wish for a little more draft (is this one partial centerboard?). We own a B34 1st gen Hereshoff and are well pleased with it. There is a Bristol group on Yahoo here:
bristolboatowners : Bristol Boat Owners

and on SailNet here:
Bristol - SailNet Community

[James S]

Welcome to the forum Richard.

[Fishman_Tx]

Ozz, do you have a link to the one that interests you?

[Ozznightman]

Hi Guys,

Many thanks for your rapid replies.

Anjou, I take it you mean the bolts that keep the swing keel in place?

Fishman, thank you for the specs..... 1st I have seen and very useful. I will post the link to the one we are looking at asap... or as soon as I can work out how to do that! Doh!

James, many thanks for your warm welcome.

[Fishman_Tx]

Ozz, just copy and paste within the message body....

[Cheechako]

Often wished I had a swing keel. I would look longingly at those boats anchored well in, or going places I was avoiding.. with 10ft draft board down and Ted Hood heritage she ought to go to windward better than most!

[sailorboy1]

Never been on one. But researched them pretty good when I was boat shopping and was very impressed. If one had been closer to me with a lower price I wouldn't have had reservations on it. And I saw the pluses on the swing board outwieghting the negatives for it.

[Ozznightman]

1981 Bristol 41.1 Center Cockpit Sail New and Used Boats for Sale

Hi Fishman, I think this should work?

[Fishman_Tx]

Ahh! Yup, seen that one, she's a beauty! Bristols, at least the 1st generation, have one of the toughest hulls out there. Very solid boats. The problems i'm familiar with are the 1st gen problems; hull/deck joint, water in the core from leakage around the pulpit, and some blistering on older boats. You will need to talk to a couple of the folks at the Yahoo group or anyone here that has the newer (than 60s-70s) series (2nd gen). I know of 2 for sure @ Yahoo, but don't remember anyone here.
Anyway, get her hauled and surveyed. I don't think you'll do any better on the price as all I have seen are this much or more. And considering what I'm seeing in the pix, if no issues show up in the survey,she's worth it. We bought our 73B34 for only $5700 (avg is $25k for this model), but she had been neglected for a long time. Even so, no blisters and no chainplate issues, just 30 year old swages that needed replacing and a little bow deck core. Nothing a little sweat equity can't relieve.

Good Luck!

[Ozznightman]

Hi Fish,

thanks yet again for your input. What year did they become 2nd generation as the one we are looking at is 1981 and another one we have seen is 82? They do look a solid seaworthy boat and great liveaboard accomodation as well. I have always like the idea of a lifting keel but was put off them by my ex who had far more sailing experiance than me but after having worked on a few when I lived in Australia, I could see no real disadvantage to them or any greater risks than many of the other boats I worked on? Oh yea, and I also looked on with a few green monsters in my eyes as the lifting keel yachts crept into some supurb quite anchorages while we rolled around all night..... from the waves you understand :-)

[Fishman_Tx]

Actually, if this boat is a 1981, it is not a B41.1 2nd gen, but a 1st gen B40! The B41.1 wasn't produced until 1986 while the B40 was produced from 1970 to 1997 unless...
Holy Crap! Turns out the 41.1 DID begin production in 1981. The "Owners" website will need to change

This is a pic from the Bristol Brochure....



And this is from the sale advert...


I wonder what the hull number is?

PS
I talked to the broker, it is most likely hull #2 or 20 (my vote is 2) from the HIN. She's been on the hard with no attention since 2005 and is pretty sad looking on the outside. Broker said deck may have soft spots but was unsure. He also said probable value is $85k but not the $109k asking. Don't let that fool you tho, Bristols are tough and worth the refit if your a DIY kind'a guy(or gal). Because you live in Oz and unless you plan on coming here for a season, this boat would have to be shipped and is probably not in the least seaworthy right now.
If you like the Bristol 41, how about this one:
1980 Bristol 41.1 Sail Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

and here's a list of 40-41 footers...some decent deals...
bristol (Sail) Boats For Sale

[Cheechako]

If she's been sitting that long, dont let the broker or past sales influence you. After a good inspection by you, make a super low offer. Tell the broker you will not be nickle and diming about small things on the survey, but will be looking for major items. Every Broker told me my Hans Christian 38 should be listed for $135K. at the time they all were listed at that. Mine was loaded with gear and didnt have teak decks. 1.5 years later it sold for $90k in a booming economy...

[sailorboy1]

That's kind of funny. I checked into this same boat last year. The listing broker told me about mold problems etc. At that time he said he thought it would sell for $80k US when he replied to my very first message (I didn't even ask about a lower price). Made me wonder what the real story was since he told me such a lower price right off the bat without me even asking. Now it is at least 8 months later he is saying $85k but hasn't lowered the listing price yet. I would bet there is going to be some surprises with this boat. There some others around with prices a little higher than may be a better deal.