bristol sailboat owners association

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Bristol Boaters

Community Association

Welcome to the Bristol Boaters Community Association.

Bristol Harbour is an area where people live, work, reside and enjoy leisure activities – and our aim is to preserve, develop and enhance this community. We positively contribute to the Bristol Harbour image, cultural heritage and preservation of historical assets. If you’d like to be a part of it, please join our growing community !

Latest Update:

⭐️ DECEMBER UPDATE 

Who are we:

Bristol Boaters Community Association is a non-profit organisation. It is a company limited by guarantee, registered with Companies House, company number 13356292.

BBCA’s directors are elected by its members, according to its constitution, and act as the management committee. You can learn more and download a full copy of the constitution (articles of association) from the website here: BBCA Objects .

Anyone who supports the objects of BBCA may become a member. To become a member, please visit: bristolboaters.org/join-us/ .

Our objects are:

The objects of BBCA are part of the constitution and set out the purpose of BBCA and the reasons for its activities. They are as follows:

•  to promote and support the interests of the Bristol Harbour boating community;
•  to follow and encourage principles of good citizenship within the community;
• to positively develop communication channels improving transparency and clarity between local, national and other authorities as necessary in the best interests of The Company and its members;
• to promote good relations between berth holders, Bristol Harbour users and the surrounding community;
• encourage and facilitate our participation in any consultation as stakeholders in any development in the harbour area.;
• to contribute towards improving the safety and security of the Bristol Harbour area on and off the water;
• to positively contribute to the Bristol Harbour image, cultural heritage and preservation of historical assets;
• to encourage high standards of boat ownership, operation, leisure usage and residence; and
• to promote the protection and improvement of the local environment.

Equal Opportunities

Bristol Boaters Community Association will not discriminate on grounds of gender, race, colour, ethnic or national origin, sexuality, disability, religious or political belief, marital status, or age.

Join the Bristol Boaters

Join the bristol boaters..

If you would like to join Bristol Boaters, please send a request to the secretary using the form below:

First Name (required) Last Name (required)

Phone (required)

Email (required)

Boat Name (required)

Harbour Area (required) —Please choose an option— Arnolfini (visitors pontoon) Bathurst Basin (Cabot Cruising Club) Bordeaux Quay Pontoon Bristol Marina Harbour Inlet (visitors moorings) Hanover Quay Pontoon Hanover Quay wall (The Pavilion) Merchants Quay Mud Dock & The Grove Redcliffe wharf Phoenix Wharf Pooles wharf Princes Wharf Redcliff Backs (Bristol Cruising Club) Mardyke Wharf St Augustines Reach Temple Back Temple Quay Underfall Wapping Wharf Welshback

Membership Type

Leisure Mooring Liveaboard Mooring Residential Mooring Commercial Mooring Winter Mooring Visitor Mooring Day Pass Land-based Harbourside Residential Land-based Harbourside Commercial

Additional message (optional)

Alternatively, you may join our community by e-mailing specifically to [email protected] or informing the Secretary in writing by letter.

Bristol Yachts

Bristol Sailing Association

The association.

We are a group of people who have a common interest in sail cruising. Most of us are not yacht owners. The Association is non profit-making, and arranges around 25 weekends and weeks each year when yachts are chartered according to the wishes of members. Mostly the yachts are used for cruising. However, club crews also take part in three or four races a year.

We are once again meeting as normal on board the barge Sabrina 6 on the second Monday of each month at 8 pm. Visitors welcome.

Further Information

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Any Bristol 40 owners?

• Thread starter scuba201
• Start date Oct 16, 2019
• Brand-Specific Forums

Any Bristol 40 owners out here? Signing the paperwork on one tomorrow.  

doublebuffle

I am shopping for one. I am going to list my C30 this Summer and see what happens... I would love to hear your impressions so far and what to look for. I want to do some cruising around New England.  

a best friend has one. we sail side by side all the time. love the boat. his is a cutter rig. another close friend had one and moved up to maine with it, a yawl. both owners love their boats.  

pretty boat  

doublebuffle said: I am shopping for one. I am going to list my C30 this Summer and see what happens... I would love to hear your impressions so far and what to look for. I want to do some cruising around New England. Click to expand

Congrats @scuba201 . Nice layout for the boat. You should have fun on her.  

Wow, thanks for all the responses.  

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Viewing a Bristol 32 tonight... Questions

• Add to quote

Hi all, The joy and nerves of purchasing one's first boat are upon me. I've gone from pining for a boat from my "dream list", all of which are very much out of my price range, to shopping for something I can afford now. Enter the Bristols: from what I have read, they came from a respected yard where they were well designed and well laid, capable of passage making (yes, with upgrades), popular with a decent owners organization, and surprisingly affordable today. Cutting to the chase, tonight, I'm going to view a 1968 Bristol 32 that's being offered for sale at a price that generated my interest. I've been more successful at finding data on the more popular 24's and 27's than I have the 32. That coupled with the fact that this is the first time I'm shopping for a yacht, I have (a myriad of) questions. I'll limit them. Main concern: The boat is on the hard in the owner's driveway. The owner purchased it 1.5 years ago, then was in an accident that rendered him incapable of sailing. He's never had it in the water. He purchased it from a local marina (whom I've contacted; they don't remember the vessel off the top of their heads but are researching for me) who was selling it for an elderly man. The current owner seems knowledgable enough, but, I'm leery of purchasing without knowing when it was last in the water. Owner says that the seacocks, stuffing boxes, and fuel filters have been serviced along with new bottom paint, "amongst others". Most of his attention/work has been paid to the cabin. If the first looks today are good, I'll be seeking someone with more knowledge than I to come and have a look see with me. But for tonight, here's what I'm looking for, please add to this list: Leaking tanks (water in the bilge, fumes), engine run?, mold / signs of leakage in cabin, state of the electronics, quality of included sails, crazing, chainplates, condition of rigging... Your experience and knowledge are always appreciated.  

If you can't afford a survey think about the unexpected repairs you won't be able to afford. Do not buy it without putting it in the water!! Does the engine run? Batteries dead? Electronics work? Let it sink on the current owner's dime, not yours!  

jsaronson said: If you can't afford a survey think about the unexpected repairs you won't be able to afford. Do not buy it without putting it in the water!! Does the engine run? Batteries dead? Electronics work? Let it sink on the current owner's dime, not yours! Click to expand...

I owned a 1976 Bristol 32, don't know how much different it would be.. When I brought here - in the mid 90's she was a rock solid boat! the only core issue I had was in the cockpit where the travelor was - had some spongy balsa, but that was it. Did need to rerig, new thru hulls, new sails refrig and added a propane system but the hull was in perfect shape. If your getting insurance- you will need a surveyors report. What kind of engine- I believe they originally had atomic 4 gas engines. Good luck  

BluemanSailor said: If your getting insurance- you will need a surveyors report. What kind of engine- I believe they originally had atomic 4 gas engines. Good luck Click to expand...

Buy and read Don Casey's "Complete Illustrated Sailboat Maintenance Manual", the first section of which is entitled "Inspecting the Aging Sailboat", before inspecting a boat you are considering purchasing. Also read "This Old Boat" by Don Casey to understand better what you are getting yourself into.  

jameswilson29 said: Buy and read Don Casey's "Complete Illustrated Sailboat Maintenance Manual", the first section of which is entitled "Inspecting the Aging Sailboat", before inspecting a boat you are considering purchasing. Also read "This Old Boat" by Don Casey to understand better what you are getting yourself into. Click to expand...

Good engine easy to repair. Engine hours? Does PO have maintenance records? When I brought my present boat PO had all the records - PO did some stupid things but overall he's been terrific with me. Hope you have the same luck! I paid for a survey and he was right on with all the problems and the repairs that needed to be done. It reads like a punch list for me.  

BluemanSailor said: Good engine easy to repair. Engine hours? Does PO have maintenance records? When I brought my present boat PO had all the records - PO did some stupid things but overall he's been terrific with me. Hope you have the same luck! I paid for a survey and he was right on with all the problems and the repairs that needed to be done. It reads like a punch list for me. Click to expand...

Just my opinion but I don't put the electronics on the list of deal breakers. If the boat hasn't been sailed in quite a few years there have been advances with newer electronics that you might want to have anyway. Also, if the PO didn't sail the boat how you intend to sail it, the electronics they have may not make sense for your intended use. Any of that stuff can easily be added later.  

Re. the Don Casey book. Your library may have it. I know mine does. Re. survey, look at it yourselves first, then if still interested you would be crazy not to have a survey done. As has been said here earlier you will need one for insurance anyway. If there are issues that need addressing you will need to have another one after you fix them (to satisfy insurance company) unless you pay a reputable yard to repair. I believe it will be cheaper to fix yourself and then get another survey. In my case I bought a boat that had a leaky fuel tank. This was noted in the survey so no insurance until afterI replaced it myself and then hired a surveyor just to inspect my work so it was much less than a full survey would have cost.  

• Look inside lockers for signs of water leaks.
• Check hull to deck joint and if you see bolts they should not be rusted, otherwise you are looking at an expensive repair.
• As you walk on deck pay attention to how solid it is or isn't.
• Don't pay attention to electronics.
• Check the sails - are they soft, can you poke your finger thru it? Or are they hard and heavy.
• Ask how old the rigging is.
• Check the rudder and the shaft for play - there should be none.

Thank you all. All advice being heeded. -K  

A link was passed along to me that I've found very helpful. In case anyone finds this thread in the future or for anyone currently subscribed: http://forums.sbo.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=102541  

great link. I'm biased, but a big fan of Bristol! That said be aware that you are looking at (and may own) a 45 year old boat so go in with your eyes wide open. With older boats it all comes down to maintenance. I'd say that when you look at the boat, scrutinize the owner as much as the boat itself. Look at his car, his house, talk about his projects (both on and off the boat). Does he do things well or just knock it out? Does he have pride in his work? Is boat work a chore for him or a labor of love? The older the boat is the harder it is to get this sort of info since there have been potentially many owners in the chain. good luck! the 32 is a beautiful boat.  

'68 Bristol had aft cockpit traveller, so no issues like the '76 and newer. Decks should feel solid as concrete since they are solid fiberglass (no wood cores). If they don't feel solid, there could be something, but these boats are not known for weak decks. '76 and newer had 4ft reduction in mast height on tall and short rigs, as well as a little less ballast (couple hundred pounds). Boom was about 2 feet shorter. I don't think Universal was an original engine in '68 so you might luck out on the associated hardware, maybe even the fuel tank. If it hasn't been addressed, the most likely source of water in the bilges will be from the hull/deck joint. Bristol used quality hardware, but the joint will leak unless it's been re-sealed. Check for play in the rudder. Though well built, even it will need attention at some point. In cabin look at chainplates and shelves for signs of delamination from water or severe hull abuse (like banging around in a marina during a hurricane). Good luck.  

Cannot stress the value of a survey enough. I would walk through the boat, see what you can see. In looking at boats recently, that was enough to make me walk away several times. But in the end, I found a boat that I liked and the owner had spent a lot of time working on the boat (and was knowledgeable and skilled). Long story short, the agreed price was $7k. Surveyor found some somewhat important problems with the boat that the owner wasn't aware of. Owner dropped price to $6500 and is now fixing all the problems. I feel a bit bad. The surveyor valued the boat quite a bit lower than I think was reasonable (from knowing the market a bit). So the owner was really caught short and I feel a little bad for him. But I don't have extra money floating around. You can really only find so much by yourself unless you know what you are looking for. Best $475 I ever spent. I would search hard for the best guy in your area and whatever he quotes you, pay it.  

Attachments

Cabin Overall.  

It sounds like the most important part of this first boat purchase is that you're leading with your head and not your heart. Best of luck. If this isn't The One, there are others waiting for a good home.  

Since I have most of your attention, I was quoted $877/year for insurance from BoatUS. This number sound about right for coastal Atlantic cruising?  

That is not an outrageous insurance premium for a year. You might be able to get it a bit cheaper IF you have a homeowner's insurance (&/or auto) policy and your company will cover the boat as well. Worth investigating but you'd likely not save more than $100 - 200. What is usually more expensive is the docking, mooring & winter storage fees. Where ya' going to keep this Bristol 32' around NYC?  

That insurance premium sounds o.k. to me. We have a 1975 24' Bristol that is insured through BoatUS for approx. $300/year. As an aside, there is a very active Yahoo group for Bristol owners that you may want to check out. I've found the members to very helpful with my Bristol-specific questions.  

through Boat US I pay ~300/yr, but going into the Atlantic is explicitly excluded. IIRC it would have been ~700/yr to include the Atlantic in the policy. so it sounds like you are in the right ballpark. For me it works out, the majority of my sailing is within the confines of the Pamlico sound. If I plan to go outside I call them and get a rider for the week for 5 or 10 bucks. btw beautiful boat!  

That's in the ballpark of what I pay..for coverage on the East Coast from NS to Jacksonville Fla. Same company. Includes the dinghy. ( $500 deductable) Add another $150 or so for unlimited towing + boat us membership. Edit: I'm down to $137.00 deductable. Diminished by being claim free. I'm wondering now, if I take my deductable up, can I bring my premiums down...hmm..  

Thanks for all the comparisons. Bristol299bob,thanks for the idea of adding a rider whenever / if a panned trip outside insured range happens! For everyone still following along, I've been cheating on Sailnet with this topic (commitment phobe) over at Cruisers Forum and have received some good insight and links that some may find useful in the future: http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f128/first-boat-purchase-going-to-have-a-look-at-a-bristol-32-a-105805.html  

Chats with partners were had... numbers hashed out... pros and cons weighed... decisions were made... and a deposit is ready to be put down. Now if I could just get in touch with the seller...  

That interior looks nice! Good luck with the purchase.  

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