Hi, I'm interested in buying my first sailboat. I want something for west coast florida use, intercoastal and gulf of mex. when nice weather, nothing too extreme at first, I'm pretty cautious. I am looking in the 24-28 foot range. Want something to race with a local club, friendly racing that's handicapped for type of boat, but don't want to come in last all the time, but don't want a purely racing boat. Want something for weekending, sleep 2, something safe and forgiving to sail/easy to sail by beginner. I also am very attracted to good quality, good craftsmanship, especially with woodwork. I have heard Bristol is a good brand, I've also been looking at a Pearson 26, sailed one and it seemed fun, pretty fast, solid feeling but interior was crappo. How does Bristol compare to Pearson? I also am drawn to cape dory's but they are too slow for me, everyone says so slow,,,but I love the appearance of cape dory typhoons. Any help would be appreciated. Doug
first boat
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west florida
Hello Doug, I am not sure were you are located at but I live on the peace river. I have had a number of small boats over the years that I sailed up and down the river along with the ICW and into the gulf a number of times. I have had a few Catalina's and Odays. I am in the mist of buying a cal 29 right now. Draft on the west coast here as I am sure you know is important. In my area I have to stay below the 5 foot mark. I know my catalina 25 went along at a pretty good clip as did the Oday. Not sure how they would of stood up to the local boys running the markers on race day. I crew on a S2 right now. But I am hoping to race a little with my cal. I have sailed on a few Bristols and they went along pretty nice. Pearsons go good to. Now as to Cape Dory they are great off shore. A friend and I sailed from LA to Cabo on a Cape Dory 27 and had no problems the full trip. Made the same trip on a 60 something foot Oyster as well. Both trips were a blast. Robert
Hello Doug, I am not sure were you are located at but I live on the peace river. I have had a number of small boats over the years that I sailed up and down the river along with the ICW and into the gulf a number of times. I have had a few Catalina's and Odays. I am in the mist of buying a cal 29 right now. Draft on the west coast here as I am sure you know is important. In my area I have to stay below the 5 foot mark. I know my catalina 25 went along at a pretty good clip as did the Oday. Not sure how they would of stood up to the local boys running the markers on race day. I crew on a S2 right now. But I am hoping to race a little with my cal. I have sailed on a few Bristols and they went along pretty nice. Pearsons go good to. Now as to Cape Dory they are great off shore. A friend and I sailed from LA to Cabo on a Cape Dory 27 and had no problems the full trip. Made the same trip on a 60 something foot Oyster as well. Both trips were a blast. Robert
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Scott Ellis
Interested in a Bristol 29.9?
Hi Doug, I have a 1980 Bristol 29.9 docked in Panama City. I bought the baot 3 years ago and, due to a death in my family, I hae lost interest in saling. It's been ignored for the last year or so, so it need some TLC. If intertested, drop me a line at the address below. Scott - Atlanta, GA sellis2203@hotmail.com
Hi Doug, I have a 1980 Bristol 29.9 docked in Panama City. I bought the baot 3 years ago and, due to a death in my family, I hae lost interest in saling. It's been ignored for the last year or so, so it need some TLC. If intertested, drop me a line at the address below. Scott - Atlanta, GA sellis2203@hotmail.com
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John
Bristol Info
Hi Doug, We have been sailling a Bristol 30 for the past 2 years on Long Island Sound. I love this boat. It is fast, well built, and beautiful. It points well, and balances easily. Construction is solid. There is more teak than on a modern boat. I enjoy the look of the teak a lot, but you have to oil, varnish or the like. Engine access is easy and she motors as well as she sails. I wouldn't compare Bristols to Pearsons. The Bristol is much better built, and frankly much prettier to my eye. Think of them more as Cape Dory's that sail well in light air. Good luck in your search. John
Hi Doug, We have been sailling a Bristol 30 for the past 2 years on Long Island Sound. I love this boat. It is fast, well built, and beautiful. It points well, and balances easily. Construction is solid. There is more teak than on a modern boat. I enjoy the look of the teak a lot, but you have to oil, varnish or the like. Engine access is easy and she motors as well as she sails. I wouldn't compare Bristols to Pearsons. The Bristol is much better built, and frankly much prettier to my eye. Think of them more as Cape Dory's that sail well in light air. Good luck in your search. John
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Thor
The Bristol 26 Solution
Doug, I presently restored and own a Bristol 26. 1973 Her info is: Beam 8ft (trailerable without licence)Lenght 26ft Draft 3'4" board up and 6' board down. Built in Lazaret discretely houses a 9.9 Johnson fourstroke. She is very tender and due to the Herreshoff design she can turn on a dime. Points surprisingly high as well. Sleeps 5 though really a "freindly four". I did a weekend on her and it was great. I heard a couple spent two weeks on her. Has a Higher freeboard and its near impossible to bury the rails. Very Stable. I had her chuggin at about 9 Knots and does well in light air. She has endured a season on the huson river and I have run her through the gammet, buried the bow and felt not an once of fear. I love my bristol! Go for it......its in the budget.
Doug, I presently restored and own a Bristol 26. 1973 Her info is: Beam 8ft (trailerable without licence)Lenght 26ft Draft 3'4" board up and 6' board down. Built in Lazaret discretely houses a 9.9 Johnson fourstroke. She is very tender and due to the Herreshoff design she can turn on a dime. Points surprisingly high as well. Sleeps 5 though really a "freindly four". I did a weekend on her and it was great. I heard a couple spent two weeks on her. Has a Higher freeboard and its near impossible to bury the rails. Very Stable. I had her chuggin at about 9 Knots and does well in light air. She has endured a season on the huson river and I have run her through the gammet, buried the bow and felt not an once of fear. I love my bristol! Go for it......its in the budget.
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DanL
Buying a Bristol 26
Hi Thor, A friend is selling his 1972 Bristol 26. It sounds like you love the boat and I am thinking of buying it. You said that you restored yours. Are there any things that I should check out before I write him a check?
Hi Thor, A friend is selling his 1972 Bristol 26. It sounds like you love the boat and I am thinking of buying it. You said that you restored yours. Are there any things that I should check out before I write him a check?
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