Comments on Bristol 29 / 30 ?

[Corpus]

I am looking for a cruising boat in the 30' range and am interested in the Bristol 29 or 30. Would like something capable of cruising the Caribbean and maybe beyond (south pacific?).

They seem like solid boats at a reasonable price. Do they have good cruising attributes like reliability and storage? And please spare me the comments like...

"I never go offshore in anything less than a Hans Christian and a coast guard escort, that is if I had a Hans Christian, and if ever I sailed out of the Chesapeake."

I can't stand the office chair sailors...and hopefully someday I won't be one!

[boatman61]

A Bristols good.... but then its more the sailor than the boat that counts...
Thats why I always chuckle at the phrase 'Bluewater Boat'

[skipmac]

Forum member Floridawriter has a Bristol 29. You might ask him what he thinks about it. He is in the middle (end?) of a complete rebuild so probably knows the boat inside out. Also has a web site www dot bristol29 dot com.

[Corpus]

Definitely agree that the sailor is much more important than the sailboat. Nevertheless, an adequate boat would be nice. Just because the Atlantic has been crossed in a rowboat, doesn't mean I want to do it.

[boatman61]

Not advocating a rowboat... just saying that bigger stronger boat than the Bristol is only as safe and seaworthy as the person sailing her...
But then there's many who'd say a Bristol 29's no better than a rowboat...

[FloridaWriter]

Bristol 29’s are very good sea boats. It has a full keel with a cutaway forefoot, a very well protected rudder, an easy motion in a seaway, and a strong windward ability. The boat points very high, yet she draws less than 5 feet. She has a very long waterline for a CCA-designed boat of her era, and can be sailed very fast. They are strongly built boats, and all the interior cabinetry is structurally fiberglassed to the hull, adding to the boat’s strength. For one or two crew the boat can carry enough stores for extended cruising.
BTW, the Bristol 30 is merely a 29 without the doghouse and a cockpit that extends further aft eliminating the very useful lazarette; but same rig, same lines, same hull.
Good luck,
David

[GordMay]

See ➥ Shopping for a Bristol 29 or Older Bristol?

See also the restoration site for the Bristol 29
➥ http://bristol29.com/

[Jim Cate]

G'Day Corpus,

Good friends cruised extensively in their B-29 "Lokilani", and I think were happy with her overall. But I remember them complaining that the stuffing box was so inaccessibly located that they had to move the engine to adjust it. Don't know how important that would be to you, or if it is true in all examples of the design, but you might check it out!

Cheers,

Jim

[ddsailor25]

On our B29 the stuffing box can be reached, but its tight and you'll end up with some scrapes and buises. On ours we went with graphite packing and have not needed to adjust it for five years now. I check it every season and it runs cool to the touch.

Dave

[psk125]

Friends had a Bristol 29. They were frequently disappointed by how long it took them to get anywhere. (They've now bought a B35.5, and are much happier.) If you are planning long distance cruising in the South Pacific, verify how much stowage space you'd need for all the food you'd need for a VERY LONG trip. The boat might not have room for all the food & water you'd need, and the extra weight will slow you down even more!

[FloridaWriter]

Originally Posted by psk125

Friends had a Bristol 29. They were frequently disappointed by how long it took them to get anywhere. (They've now bought a B35.5, and are much happier.) If you are planning long distance cruising in the South Pacific, verify how much stowage space you'd need for all the food you'd need for a VERY LONG trip. The boat might not have room for all the food & water you'd need, and the extra weight will slow you down even more!

Well obviously a boat with more displacement will carry more and with a longer LWL will be faster. The B35.5 displaces about 16,000 pounds to the 29's 9000 and has an LWL of over 27 ft, as compared to the B29's 22.8 LWL; however, for a 30 ft full keel CCA designed boat, the B29 has a very long LWL. Since the mathematical difference in hull speeds between the two boats is only about half a knot, I would suspect it is more a case of not knowing how to sail the B29. Furthermore a difference of 12 NM more or less per day on a long passage is peanuts and not worth real consideration.

You are certainly right about needing to carry enough stores for the passage--for one or two people the B29 can carry adequate provisions. A larger boat will certainly accommodate more stores and a larger crew.

[Corpus]

good info...makes me like bristols that much more.

[Tempest245]

I owned a 29.9 for many years. For me, it was the perfect vessel. Sturdy enough to feel comfortable in the ocean and with a centerboard up, I could sail in skinny waters on the bays.

The PO had done a tiller to wheel conversoion and added electronics that were wired directly to the batteries. I had a new Panel build and re-wired everything.

It was a great sailing vessel: went to weather just fine and I was happy with her speed and agility. I tended to take a reef sooner than most vessels might going to weather, but once set it pointed and sailed great!

I liked the dinette layout..and wish my sabre were set up likewise..

I have no complaints about the 29....Someone offered me what I paid for it, nine years after I purchased it at a the right time, Otherwise I might still have it.