Bristol Owners

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7 Comments

Comment by John Shasteen on September 4, 2009 at 1:31pm

James, the 29.9 mast is keel-stepped, the hull is solid fiberglas- no core to worry about, the ballast is encapsulated - not bolted on, the hull-to-deck joint is overlapped, glued and through-bolted every three inches and the rudder is skeg-hung. We call her our bluewater warrior princess.

Comment by James DePalma on September 4, 2009 at 12:09pm

John, thanks very much; no issue with the deck stepped mast vs keel stepped? I think it is all psycological. I love the 29.9 there are 2 beautiful looking ones on yachtword listed for under $30k!!

Comment by John Shasteen on September 4, 2009 at 11:07am

James, we looked at both the 31.1 and the 29.9 when we bought Paloma many years ago - we could not justify the price difference for two more feet. The 29.9 is a solid, Herreshoff-designed, IOR/ORC downwind ocean racer built to go anywhere in any weather. Paloma has been through two Force 10 storms at sea and in her slip, she's riden out every named storm to hit the Texas coast over her 30-years (and there's been a lot of them). If you go to the Bristol Owners Association at http://www.bristolowners.org/ and click on About the Boats you can see the line drawings for both - not much different. The 31.1 has sea berths outboard of the main salon couches while the 29.9 has lots of cabinet space in that area. We liked the more storage and the best sea berth is a really big storm is the cabin sole.

Comment by James DePalma on September 4, 2009 at 10:35am

new Bristol owner, just bought a 24 out of Portsmouth NH, beautiful black-hull with a Yanmar diesel. 1976 Corsair model, I can't wait to get her in the water. Lake Ontario. I am also looking at a second boat; question is the 31.1 worth the extra money over the 29.9.

Comment by Ben on June 20, 2009 at 10:52am

Hi Suky, Yes the Bristol is quite a vessel. I have not sailed that many boats to be quite honest and I inherited her a few years ago, but for my ability and my feel for her, all I can say is - it is like true love and there is no getting around that feeling when she takes hold of the wind and glides effortlessly through the water! By the way - I loved your quote, Life is short, sail more, break the rules etc.... it could not have come at a better time for me. THANKS and good luck with your decision(s)....Ben

Comment by Suky on June 19, 2009 at 11:23pm

Hi Ben, Thanks for the friend invite. What is your boat's name ? She's a beauty.
Please tell us how she's so special.
I joined because I'd like to sail the Bristol. She's on my short list of boats I want to try out before I decide on the finalist for my next adventure ~ liveaboard and then cruise.

Comment by Ben on June 19, 2009 at 12:19pm

I do love her dearly. I may have to sell her though. Breaking my heart.