Looking at a Bristol 24 this weekend

Dec 14, 2010
22
Hunter 25 Luna Pier, Michigan, USA
Making a road trip to look at a 1972 Bristol 24 this weekend. Is there any common fail spots I need to pay special attention to? Boat had been on the hard for three years, new shrink wrap every year though. Needs a bottom job and some cosmetic attention but from what her owner of 8 years says it's all hum-drum stuff. Thoughts?
 

Kermit

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Jul 31, 2010
5,657
AquaCat 12.5 17342 Wateree Lake, SC
A friend at my former sailing club had one. The foredeck was pretty spongy which must have meant a wet core. That didn’t seem to bother him and he loved his boat. I was impressed with the standing head room in the cabin on a boat that size.
 
Jun 25, 2017
8
Bristol 24 Forked River, NJ
I've got one myself - let me know what questions you have, but it really depends on what you want to do with it... if you're trying to prepare it for a blue water passage the level of preparation and redundancy is far greater than a weekend cruiser.
The hull is very strong, but it is not the fastest vessel in the water. It really does stiffen up under wind and I've found it easy to handle short-handed.
 
Dec 14, 2010
22
Hunter 25 Luna Pier, Michigan, USA
For the time being it would be a Great Lakes cruiser weekender. Eventually, if I could locate a decent trailer for it I would like to haul it to Florida during the winter months when I'm not working, maybe check out the Caribbean.

From what I've been told by her current owner, she's lived her whole life on the lakes, was in Chicago from 1972 until 4 years ago she landed in Detroit. He sailed her for a year before he didn't have the time anymore and put her on land, where she's remained, bone dry on the inside might I ad. The current owner rewired her, re-cored a small section of deck, rebuilt the winches and did some other minor cosmetic work. All of which could be good or bad depending on his skill of course. What I do know for sure is that she needs a bottom job, good cleaning, a motor and some cosmetic fiberglass work. Also while under her current owners care he moved the outboard from the well to a outboard bracket, which Im thinking about putting the motor back in the well. I'm pretty sure I can get the boat for very little, possibly nothing, the guy doesn't want to keep paying storage.