wanting info on bristol 24

[Geoff Adams Sr.]

Hello, I'm buying a 1968 Bristol 24 that has some light hurricane damage for $1500. The problem is that the boat was mercilessly stripped by looters. I would like to find out where to find bow and stern rails for it and also how to determine the mast height from the waterline. It has an outboard well as was wondering what size outboard it would require. Are there any owners in Jacksonville, Fl.? I would like to talk to you about this boat.

 

[Jim]

Bristol 24

I suggest you do a boat for sail search on the net, specifying a Bristol 24, and see the prices that are asked. I don't want to discourage you, but if the boat has been as stripped as you say, make a list of everything that you need to replace, and start pricing it. Just having the word "Marine" in front of something adds $$ to the price. When you get your total, compare it to the prices of a good used 24, and add in your "sweat equity" for making the repairs. You might also do a Google search with the words Bristol 24. Here is just one link of many that I found.

 

[Dave]

Buyer Beware

In not trying to sound negative, I found a Bristol 24 just now on boats.com in MA for 5,500 ready to go. and two '26 in CT for 3,900 and ME for 5,500. By the time you get yours just able to be put in the water and sail safely you will have over 15,000 into it. And that is being very conservative. You may want to look around unless you are in love with this boat.

 

[a bristol owner]

Oh come on now .....

Bristols are great boats. These other guys think every one has to start with the perfect boat. Yeah... like they did!I think you can have a lot of fun with this project. You will learn a lot about boats and more importantly, you will know your boat and what it has.... what is new and what needs to be done. You will end up with a boat that you know bow to stern.The only thing is, it may be awhile before you are ready to put out to sea!!!!! You did not mention what was still on the boat.That will certainly need to be concidered in assessing if you made a wise investment. Oops.... lapse of intelligence there.... there is no such thing as a wise investment when it comes to boats. They should never be looked at that way. Think of it like going to an amusment park.... with sailboats, you are throwing money at the entertainment value of the moment. Not something you can justify as a finacial interprize.Now, back to your question..... I'm afraid you may have a hard time finding bow and stern pulpits for your craft. That's probably why they have been taken off. They are not something you will find in a store or in stock anywhere. They can be fabricated. But hold onto your socks.... a good job will cost more than your original investment. Is it worth it?.... well, that's up to you. A restoration job may end up costing more than what you can find already available out there on the market.... but you have the satisfaction of knowing exactly what you have. And there is the joy of seeing it all come together.... and the fun of getting your hands dirty and doing a lot of the work yourself.Will you be able to sell it for a profit? Not likely.... but that's not what you want anyway is it?Get on the Bristol list at Sailnet.Read and learn as much as you can about these boats.Have fun!