Cape Dory VS Bristol Yacht

[Jim Kingrea]

While in a weakened condition from the Texas heat and drought I sold my Typhoon. I am planning to buy a bigger boat within the next couple of years. Does anyone have any experience with a Bristol 29. It's a Alberg Design but how does the overall quality compare to a Cape Dory. Thanks
Jim

[paul]

try http://members.aol.com/bristolyht/bristol29.html for more info



pcmurray@cs123.com

[Larry DeMers]

We have a Bristol 29 in our marina, owned by the marina owner, and he sailed it from Fort Lauderdale to Cuba last winter..oh, and back. He trucked the boat down on the rig we use to move boats in the yard. He swears at the boat, but also by the boat. It's ancient design inside..narrow, linear, sorta like the NorSea27 in that regard. She handles like all Albergs do; initially soft, but by 10 deg. she has plenty of backbone. At 20 deg. heel, she is rock steady, and in her elements.

Construction on these boats will be heavy, considering the time it was built, and the knowledge of fiberglass lamination schedules that they had then. So the hull strength should be good. Look for hull blisters of course, and also delamination on the deck coring, as this has been a recurring problem with earlier boats..especially near thru-deck fittings, stanchions, cleats. Have the engine looked over and *run* by a diesel mechanic, and have the engine manual handy for spec look ups.

Good Luck..

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30

try http://members.aol.com/bristolyht/bristol29.html for more info

demers@sgi.com

[Jim Kingrea]

Thanks for the advise.
Jim

We have a Bristol 29 in our marina, owned by the marina owner, and he sailed it from Fort Lauderdale to Cuba last winter..oh, and back. He trucked the boat down on the rig we use to move boats in the yard. He swears at the boat, but also by the boat. It's ancient design inside..narrow, linear, sorta like the NorSea27 in that regard. She handles like all Albergs do; initially soft, but by 10 deg. she has plenty of backbone. At 20 deg. heel, she is rock steady, and in her elements.

Construction on these boats will be heavy, considering the time it was built, and the knowledge of fiberglass lamination schedules that they had then. So the hull strength should be good. Look for hull blisters of course, and also delamination on the deck coring, as this has been a recurring problem with earlier boats..especially near thru-deck fittings, stanchions, cleats. Have the engine looked over and *run* by a diesel mechanic, and have the engine manual handy for spec look ups.

Good Luck..

Larry DeMers
s/v DeLaMer
Cape Dory 30

try http://members.aol.com/bristolyht/bristol29.html for more info

[Dave Bristle]

For a general discussion and links to models, see http://hometown.aol.com/bristolyht/index.html. The 29 is a Herreshoff design. (Nothing wrong with that.) I have a friend with a Bristol 22 and another with a 35--both boats are rock solid hulls with joinerwork that's maybe not quite up to what I've seen on CDs. I would be sure to put a good barrier coat below the waterline to minimize blistering, since the gelcoat and glass technology are dated. I think most or all interior and exterior wood is mahogany instead of teak--the exterior brightwook needs more care, since the mahogany tends to go to black--not gray. I don't know whether Cetol is a good option for Mahogany--you might want to check on that if you're interested in its widely acclaimed ease of maintenance.

Hope this helps...
Dave



bristle@att.net