bristol 34 sailboat data

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• By Jim Fulton
• Updated: May 1, 2009

After a discouraging day of boat shopping, I was now looking for a drink. But then my wife, Terry, said, “There’s one” and pointed not at a bar but at yet another yacht brokerage. Although the boat behind the office was bigger than what we thought we wanted for daysailing and occasional overnights, Terry beckoned me aboard anyway. So began our love affair with a Bristol 34 that we named Peregrine.

Bristol Yachts produced sailboats from the drawing boards of several well-known designers. Halsey Herreshoff designed the Bristol 34, and between 1971 and 1978, Bristol built 70 of them.

Unfortunately, our boat had received little care for 10 years and could only be described as a project. We did our homework and, with a surveyor, made as complete an inventory as we could of its problems. The tally included most of the failings common to 25-year-old fiberglass boats: soggy deck, questionable rigging, blown-out sails, corroded electrical wiring, inoperative pumps, crazed gelcoat, peeling brightwork, and an overheating engine. On the positive side, the hull had no blisters. We also took the opportunity to sail on a sister ship, and that sold us.

The Bristol 34 has moderate overhangs, flare at the bow, ballast encapsulated in a modified fin keel, and a large skeg supporting the rudder. Like other Bristols, the 34 is of above-average quality with a solid fiberglass hull, balsa-cored decks, and a distinctive stainless-steel stemhead fitting that incorporates the anchor roller, bow chocks, and headstay chainplate. The single-spreader mast is stepped on the keel.

The cockpit seats six comfortably, but the steering pedestal, the wheel, and the traveler do cut off the rear third. The foredeck and side decks are uncluttered.

Below, the layout is conventional. To port of the companionway are a large chart table and a quarter berth. The small galley is opposite to starboard. Peregrine has port and starboard settees in the saloon with lockers above and behind both. (A dinette version was also available.) The port settee pulls out into a narrow double, and there’s provision for a pipe berth over the starboard settee. The dining table folds down from the main bulkhead. Forward, the athwartships head includes a toilet, a basin, a handheld shower, and a hanging locker. In the forward cabin, an insert converts the two berths to a queen-sized V-berth. Ventilation is through two large hatches, two dorade vents, and an opening port in the head.

Removing the companionway steps gives access to the front of the engine, and a panel in the quarter berth exposes its port side as well as the transmission and the stuffing box.

Peregrine handles easily. Somewhat tender initially, she settles down at 15 to 20 degrees of heel with little pressure on the helm. With good sails, she’s surprisingly quick in breezes above 5 knots. Although designed as a moderate-displacement racer/cruiser, the Bristol 34 is very seaworthy when properly equipped. At least one has sailed to Europe, and under previous owners, Peregrine sailed to Bermuda and the Caribbean. We want to take her back someday.

With reasonable care, Bristols age well. As usual, the level of maintenance received is reflected in asking prices, which range from $10,000 to $25,000.

Jim and Terry Fulton bought their Bristol 34, Peregrine, in 1999 and embarked on what became a two-year refit. They sail out of Solomons, Maryland.

LOA 34′ 3″ (10.44 m.) LWL 26′ 0″ (7.92 m.) Beam 10′ 5″ (3.18 m.) Draft 5′ 6″ (1.68 m.) Sail Area (100%) 529 sq. ft. (49.14 sq. m.) Ballast 5,100 lb. (2,313 kg.) Displacement 11,500 lb. (5,215 kg.) Ballast/D .44 D/L 292 SA/D 16.6 Water 40 gal. (151 l.) Fuel 25 gal. (95 l.) Engine Atomic 4 (optional diesel) Designer Halsey C. Herreshoff

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BRISTOL 34 Detailed Review

If you are a boat enthusiast looking to get more information on specs, built, make, etc. of different boats, then here is a complete review of BRISTOL 34. Built by Bristol Yachts and designed by Halsey Herreshoff, the boat was first built in 1970. It has a hull type of Fin with rudder on skeg and LOA is 10.44. Its sail area/displacement ratio 15.16. Its auxiliary power tank, manufactured by Universal, runs on Gas.

BRISTOL 34 has retained its value as a result of superior building, a solid reputation, and a devoted owner base. Read on to find out more about BRISTOL 34 and decide if it is a fit for your boating needs.

Boat Information

Boat specifications, sail boat calculation, rig and sail specs, auxillary power tank, accomodations, contributions, who designed the bristol 34.

BRISTOL 34 was designed by Halsey Herreshoff.

Who builds BRISTOL 34?

BRISTOL 34 is built by Bristol Yachts.

When was BRISTOL 34 first built?

BRISTOL 34 was first built in 1970.

How long is BRISTOL 34?

BRISTOL 34 is 7.92 m in length.

What is mast height on BRISTOL 34?

BRISTOL 34 has a mast height of 10.36 m.

Member Boats at HarborMoor

Review of Bristol 34

Basic specs..

The Bristol 34 has been built with more than one type of keel. One option is a fin keel. The fin keel is the most common keel and provides splendid manoeuvrability. The downside is that it has less directional stability than a long keel.

The keel is made of lead. Compared with iron, lead has the advantage of being 44% heavier, which allows a smaller keel and hence less water resistance and higher speed.

The boat can enter most marinas as the draft is just about 1.68 - 1.78 meter (5.51 - 5.81 ft) dependent on the load. See immersion rate below.

Bristol 34 is typically equipped with a Westerbeke diesel engine.

The fuel tank has a capacity of 95 liters (25 US gallons, 20 imperial gallons).

Sailing characteristics

This section covers widely used rules of thumb to describe the sailing characteristics. Please note that even though the calculations are correct, the interpretation of the results might not be valid for extreme boats.

What is Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed?

The theoretical maximal speed of a displacement boat of this length is 6.8 knots. The term "Theoretical Maximum Hull Speed" is widely used even though a boat can sail faster. The term shall be interpreted as above the theoretical speed a great additional power is necessary for a small gain in speed.

The immersion rate is defined as the weight required to sink the boat a certain level. The immersion rate for Bristol 34 is about 168 kg/cm, alternatively 944 lbs/inch. Meaning: if you load 168 kg cargo on the boat then it will sink 1 cm. Alternatively, if you load 944 lbs cargo on the boat it will sink 1 inch.

Sailing statistics

This section is statistical comparison with similar boats of the same category. The basis of the following statistical computations is our unique database with more than 26,000 different boat types and 350,000 data points.

What is L/B (Length Beam Ratio)?

What is a Ballast Ratio?

Maintenance

When buying anti-fouling bottom paint, it's nice to know how much to buy. The surface of the wet bottom is about 29m 2 (312 ft 2 ). Based on this, your favourite maritime shop can tell you the quantity you need.

Are your sails worn out? You might find your next sail here: Sails for Sale

If you need to renew parts of your running rig and is not quite sure of the dimensions, you may find the estimates computed below useful.

This section is reserved boat owner's modifications, improvements, etc. Here you might find (or contribute with) inspiration for your boat.

Do you have changes/improvements you would like to share? Upload a photo and describe what you have done.

We are always looking for new photos. If you can contribute with photos for Bristol 34 it would be a great help.

If you have any comments to the review, improvement suggestions, or the like, feel free to contact us . Criticism helps us to improve.

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Bristol Yachts Inc. Bristol 34

General Data

Shipbuilder:, see also: boats for sale.

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Overall length:

Waterline length:, maximum beam:, straightening:, construction materials:, sail details mq.

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• Sailboat Guide

1972 Bristol 34

• Description

Seller's Description

THIS BOAT IS LOCATED AT Lake Hartwell, SOUTH CAROLINA!

34 Bristol 1972 Classic Great Condition, Ready to Sail, Yanmar Diesel 2021 Bottom Paint, Good Sail Inventory Price Reduced, Must Go

Basic Boat Information: Make: Bristol Model: 34 Year: 1972 Condition: Used Category: Sail Builder: Bristol Yachts Designer: Halsey Herreshoff Construction: Fiberglass Boat Hull ID: BRIS28A34472 Has Hull ID: Yes Keel Type: Fin Keel Dimensions Length: 34 ft Length Overall: 34’3 ft Waterline Length: 26 ft Beam: 10’6 ft Max Draft: 5’6 ft Displacement: 11,500 lb Ballast: 5,600 lb Single Berths: 2 Double Berths: 2 Engines / Speed Engines: 1 Make: Yanmar Model: 3GM30F Drive Type: Direct Fuel: Diesel Engine Power: 20hp Type: Inboard Engine Location: Center Tanks Fuel Tanks: 1 Fuel Tank Capacity: 25 gal Water Tanks: 1 Water Tank Capacity: 40 gal Other Heads Count: 1 Drive Type: Direct Boat Class: Cruisers

Call Cell or Text: Ann Koch 770-540-9796 Rich Michel 404-642-3007 Marc Kenney 615-424-4451

Equipment: Deck, Sails & Rigging Good Dacron Main Roller furling headsails North Sails Jib in EXCELLENT Condition Good Dacron 155% Cruising Sail Good Composite 155% Racing Sail Two pairs of self-tailing winches in cockpit in easy reach of helm Rigid vang Dodger Lifelines Lifesling Bracket for Lifeboat Pedestal with Wheel Autopilot Accommodations V berth with insert makes double berth Athwart ship private Head with sink and toilet Main cabin has U shaped settee with dining table to port that drops down into double berth Settee berth with transom berth above to starboard Navigation Desk to port of companionway with electrical panel Quarter berth aft of Nav station Galley to starboard of companionway with sink, refrigerator, microwave and lots of storage Electrical Shore Power with cable AGM batteries 2 years old System will accommodate 4 batteries Charging system Depth, wind, autopilot, older chart plotter VHF Stereo AC/DC electric panel Disclaimer The Company offers the details of this vessel in good faith but cannot guarantee or warrant the accuracy of this information nor warrant the condition of the vessel. A buyer should instruct his agents, or his surveyors, to investigate such details as the buyer desires validated. This vessel is offered subject to prior sale, price change, or withdrawal without notice.

Rig and Sails

Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.

The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.

Classic hull speed formula:

Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL

Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL

Sail Area / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.

SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3

• SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
• D : Displacement in pounds.

Ballast / Displacement Ratio

A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.

Ballast / Displacement * 100

Displacement / Length Ratio

A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.

D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
• LWL: Waterline length in feet

Comfort Ratio

This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.

Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )

• D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
• LOA: Length overall in feet
• Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet

Capsize Screening Formula

This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.

CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)

A refinement of the earlier Bristol 33. Diesel available as an option. Keel/CB - Draft: BD: 7.5’; BU: 4.0’

This listing is presented by SailboatListings.com . Visit their website for more information or to contact the seller.

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Bristol 34 or........?

• Add to quote

I've PM'd one of the moderators of this forum for boat recommendations, and have scheduled a survey of a Bristol 34 based on those recommendations. Prior to totally committing on a boat that I haven't personally seen, I'm looking for other's opinions on boats that would be suitable for my wife and myself. Details: 1. I'm 67 (almost), wife is 64. 2. We've had a '77 Ericson 27 for 6 years, improved it each year. Previous owner added 400(?) lbs. of lead to its' keel and it had some port-side damage (repaired), as well as a replacement mast. It's a little small, but we're used to it. I'm also concerned about its' sailing characteristics because of the repairs. It's "OK", but not great. 3. We both just retired, have a dock space and a whole summer ahead of us to sail. 4. My wife's not a sailor, is anxious, but has gotten increasingly comfortable onboard and LOVES our "floating summer home at the dock". 5. We'd like to spend the summer in LI sound, and hopefully go down the intercoastal come October. I love the romance of sailing and cruising, love the warmth of interior teak and mahogany, and would like stability under sail, single-handed capability and would prefer an Atomic 4 (which I'm very familiar with). I can fix ANYTHING, but don't want to or have the time. My wife wants creature comforts. I realize I could make a huge mistake here, and that's the reason for writing. With a comfort zone of under $30K, what boats would you look for if you were in my position? Here's what we've seen and our perception: (2) Pearson 323's....Well laid out, decent size, but for $16K - $19K I would sacrifice YEARS making it "nice". Our boat's numerous imperfections don't seem as problematic to me as those on other boats. Ericson 30+ that was on ebay.....very, very nice teak interior, diesel smell (of course, since it had a diesel) but not significantly more room than we have now. Price was excellent (under $10K) but the time aspect of getting it in the water and the minimal increase in interior room caused me not to bid. Catalina 31 (2005)....Although a lot more money, the deal-breaker for me was the lack of "warmth". Lots of plastic, great electronics, but (for me) a floating video game. Island Packet 35 ($35K) Horrible teak, not in showing condition, no cushions installed and (I found out later) and not the best sailing vessel. Decent amount of room below. Nonsuch 30 (wasn't for sale but viewable at a boat show)... Beautiful interior and craftsmanship, but somewhat pricey for one in very nice condition. I hadn't realized until I started looking what a range of prices and conditions exist out in the marketplace. I'm starting to realize that looking for another sailboat could turn into a part-time/full time job if I let it. That's the reason for this post. Sorry for the length of the post, but I thought the more you knew of my experience the better you could respond. Thanks in advance! Tanksalot  

doesnt sound like any of the alternatives are right for you. i assume you want to enjoy your boat, not rebuild it. If you like the Bristol you might look at a Sabre or even a Cheoy Lea(k). You are right that the condition and equipment varies widely. Take your time until you find the right boat.  

What is your sailing goal long term? Are you planning on coastal sailing mostly? You can use the search engine on Yachtworld, set your parameters (under 30K, size of boat, year, etc) and come up with a sizable list. Here's a nice 39 ft Gulfstar for under 30K: View Boat Photos - YachtWorld.com I have no connection to this boat, just thought it would work for you.  

tanksalot said: Island Packet 35 ($35K) Horrible teak, not in showing condition, no cushions installed and (I found out later) and not the best sailing vessel. Decent amount of room below. Click to expand...

Well it sounds like the Bristol 34 might fit the bill. Why don't you go and see it? For me, it's all about the impression when you look at the boat, then the survey (hopefully) confirms that impression. If you can stretch the budget, mid-80s Bristol 31.1s sell for about $40K and I've seen 35.5s in the 40 to 50K range. I'd also suggest a 29.9 for about 30K but I'm not sure that'll give you the increase in space you want. Might be worth checking one out, though.  

Later generation Bristols are heads and shoulders above the early Bristols as far as construction quality and interior trim, plus they have a tendency to be a bit more beamy which helps out in the elbow room department.  

I just bought a 1967 Bristol 34.5 and it is beautiful, a classic lady with full keel. The interior is in perfect shape and the decks without flaw. Back in the early hulls they were not sure of the reliability of fiberglass and overbuilt a lot. It's a very sturdy and stable boat. Something similar happened with the first Pearson 26's, when they downsized the Pearson 30, but they left the hull thickness appropriate for a 30. Thus, the first few hundred P-26's were at least 25% overbuilt; again very nice-had one of these for 50 years now, still have it. I would actually take a Bristol 35 over a Hinkley 35 Pilot.  

MarkSF: You bring up an interesting point. The boat is a 13-hour drive away one-way. It looks, online, like a very good deal. But......I've never seen a Bristol 34. There's also a very good condition Tartan 30 that's 5 hours away and would be enroute. We've seen a Tartan 30 and it looks like it offers what we're looking for. We could either have the survey done and THEN drive to see/pick up the Bristol 34, seeing the Tartan 30 on the way or see both boats first, taking 3-4 days for the experience. It would be reasonable to see a Bristol 34 somewhere closer to see what they look like first. How would one find one? I realize I sound somewhat naive, but that's why I'm here. KwaltersMI: I'm reasonably sure of the price & size, but my memory is not the best. I looked at Yachtworld and it's not there. You can call Gene Colvin at Brewer's Yacht sales in Westbrook, CT if you want to pursue it. Tanksalot  

Normally you make an offer contingent on a survey. No need to spend money if you can't agree on a price. You could post a separate note on SailNet that you want to see a Bristol 34 closer to home. I'd also look in the Bristol Owner's forum to see if anyone knows where there might be one or can answer your questions. The difference between a 30 and 34 is HUGE in terms of cabin space (but so is the difference between the 27 and 30). However, for long distance cruising i would want the 34.  

You mentioned a fairly new Catalina 31, that I'm sure is way above your budget but the deal killer was a lack of interior wood. I've got an older C-34 that would be at least somewhat closer to your budget and it has lots of interior wood. In fact, my boat after 25 years, the wood was looking awfully tired so I'm in the process of re-varnishing and so far, things are looking much better and it's not an unreasonable amount of work.  

I don't want to put up a classified here but... If you are interested, I know of a 1978 C&C 34, on Long Island Sound, has a new Atomic 4.... Very reasonably priced and ready to go. Send me a message for details if you want. Skywalker  

I sent you a PM Skywalker  

I would take another look at the Catalina if I were you. I understand it doesn't look as salty as the other boats do, but it sounds like your wife wants a floating Condo. You can buy a lot of living space in a Catalina for not as much money as other brands. The same can be said of Hunter's and Bene's. There are a lot of boats on the market right now. I would just wait a month or two till the right one came along. A nice boat that costs a little more will be cheaper in the long run. If you see five major problems with a boat it probably has 20 or 30 major problems.  

MarkCK said: it sounds like your wife wants a floating Condo Click to expand...

I like the looks of the Ted Hood designed Bristol 32 ketch. There is one example in Marblehead, MA. 1977 Bristol 32 Ketch - NEW DIESEL Sail Boat For Sale - Yes, looking for a boat could be your new career!  

One of the things that's impressed me the most is the number of warm, friendly, outgoing and (sometimes) very knowledgeable people my wife and I have met in our search for a boat. There's an almost childlike enthusiasm amongst sailboat owners (and this boat buyer), and it's exhilarating to meet intelligent, outgoing people who REALLY know what they're talking about. Especially if it's about something that you also enjoy. Discussions rapidly evolve from boats to life, values and other topics that are meaningful and emotional. I LOVE sailing!! Regarding the Bristol 34, I've talked to one former owner over the phone (boat got wrecked in a hurricane), and have posted on a few sites looking for others. Right now the surveyor will give the boat a 45 min. once-over and let me know what he sees. What's interesting is that in contacting one yachting club to see if they know of any Bristol 34 owners, I get a return email saying, essentially, that it's really not that great of a boat with numerous issues. It just happened to be a boat broker, and I'm certain he had his own agenda. Sad to see such manipulation of reality. I've also found a Tartan 30 that seems to have gotten excellent care from a meticulous owner. What I'm planning now is a trip to see the Tartan 30 enroute to viewing the Bristol 34 survey. Then the Tartan 30 can be my emotional/actual fall back position. I'll keep the C&C 34 in mind, but the amount of time and travel this boat-looking is starting to take up is surprising. But getting up in the morning, driving for a while, looking at boats with a knowledgeable, enthusiastic broker, eating lunch at a nice restaurant with an ocean view and then coming home at 4 PM isn't such a bad way to spend a day. Plus, we're learning a LOT about various boats and their characteristics. Thanks for the feedback Tanksalot  

It looks like the Bristol 34 has a lot of teak warmth in the interior, a Catalina 30 might pass you, but do you care? The Catalina 30 sails fairly well, but feels very antiseptic to me; I like that wood warmth feel, too. I've never been on a Bristol 34 (or a Tartan 30), but maybe the other key, besides feel, is just how good shape they are in. These are old boats, and Summer is too short to spend on boat "projects". The Bristol 34 design looks interesting... Good luck! cheers Bristol 34 Gusto  

I think the Bristol might surprise the Catalina, upwind.  

tanksalot said: I'm starting to realize that looking for another sailboat could turn into a part-time/full time job if I let it. That's the reason for this post. Tanksalot Click to expand...

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• Sailboat Reviews

Bristol 35.5C

Ted hood knows all there is to know about centerboard cruisers; he applied it well to this boat..

Around Bristol, Rhode Island-made famous by Nathanael G. Herreshoff-they tell this story: In the beginning, Bristol Yachts made rather ordinary boats. Along the way to success, Bristols boss, Clint Pearson, collected some of the most skilled workmen in the business. Somewhere in the 1970s, in order to support about 130 craftsmen, Bristol upgraded sharply and took aim at the big boat, high buck market. It made good sense.

And thats when the centerboard sloop called the Bristol 35.5C was born. She debuted in 1977 and disappeared with the rest of the line a few years ago.

The inestimable Ted Hood designed her. He probably knows more than anyone alive about centerboard cruising boats. Hes done a lot of them.

This one just turned out great, he said. Shes about as small as you can get and still have really big boat appearance and performance. The interior just worked out very well. Hood owned one himself.

She goes right along, doesn’t she? he said.

The Bristol 35.5C, which also came in a full-keel version (without the C), is an extraordinarily orthodox boat. There simply are no extremes in design, construction or performance, unless it is in her ability to flaunt her stern downwind and burn a lot of boats when beating in light to moderate air.

Shes what is called medium displacement. Look at her dimensions. Nothing jumps out, except perhaps for slightly less beam than is seen in 35-footers of that era and certainly far less than is seen in more recent designs.

The Interior Despite the 10′ 10″ beam, the interior reflects Ted Hoods attention to comfortable detail. There simply are no tight spots, no clumsy corners and no head or hip knockers.

You can walk into the head, turn around and even take a shower standing erect, if youre no more than 6′ 2″ in height.

The forward berths are more than adequate. Especially comfortable for one (but tight for two) are the pull-out extension berths in the main cabin. The big quarter berth is for that nose tackle in your racing crew. Luckily, only a few boats were built with pilot berths, because not having them means that the storage space is that much greater. With pilot berths, the boat theoretically sleeps no less than nine, but youd feel like a 49er on a crowded clipper ship headed for the California Gold Rush.

The galley is a joy, with more counter space than many larger boats. Unobstructed, durable flat surfaces are always at a premium when preparing meals or washing dishes. The truly huge ice chest obviously has superior insulation. Even with the engine running the ice lasts well.

The spacious cabin interior is enhanced by a wellengineered fold-down table, which, unlike many, can be rigged in five seconds.

If one were to be picky, the lack of a wet locker aft in a boat of this size might be noted.

Engine access is, at best, mediocre. Its in a narrow compartment, with access in the front only by removing some drawers and the heavy step panel and on the port side through a panel in the quarterberth.

All joinery, laminates and solid wood, reflect the individual skills of Bristols work force. The main and forward cabins are wood-sheathed. The sole is teak with a handsome ash inlay, all hand-layed, screwed, glued and bunged.

Many Bristol 35.5s were customized to some degree. Interior wood, for instance, could be mahogany, cherry or teak, with the latter two carrying a considerable premium. Double sinks in the galley were another fairly expensive option.

However, most equipment is standard. Bristol used topflight components, like Racor filters, Brunzeel bulkheads, Nicro vents, Schaefer hardware, Almag 35 ports, Bomar hatches, Edson steering and Lewmar winches.

The boats deck is a first-rate work platform and, for comfort, the cockpit is the equal of any 35-footer. However, because the seats run the full length of the cockpit, one must climb up and over to reach the steering station behind the big wheel. Its annoying. You can’t even slide aft.

Construction The Bristol 35.5s are solid fiberglass. The hull is built in halves and joined down the middle, which makes possible Bristols fine hull-to-deck joint. The hull is flanged inward and the deck is bolted on top of the flange with a teak toerail also through-bolted. It makes for both a watertight joint and a very rigid structural beam at the rail.

Centerboards frequently are a source of major headaches. However, the Bristol 35.5Cs board, which does not protrude into the cabin sole, must be well designed and executed.

The board is controlled by a low-geared horizontal winch on the coachroof. A stainless steel wire runs forward to a stainless vertical pipe at the corner of the chart table, down and across to the centerline under the floorboards. It makes three turns. The cable is entirely enclosed. If it were to cause trouble, it would be difficult to fix. However, only two of the Practical Sailor readers who own Bristol 35.5Cs report problems. Only a few boats were built before Bristol made modifications to the centerboard.

Sailing Characteristics Make no mistake: The Bristol 35.5C is tender, as are most centerboarders. In return you get a very lively boat that is quick in any air, like many more modern fin keelers except that with her moderate keel and centerboard, the Bristol 35.5 doesn’t require slavish attention to the helm.

The centerboard version has an IOR rating of 25.38, which means she should move out on a C & C 35, an Olson 38, a Hughes 38, a Pearson 35, a Tartan 37, a Morgan 38 and a J/34. Thats pretty good company for a design of this vintage.

The IMS numbers show the centerboard version to be faster than the keel version. The heavier centerboarder (with 500 pounds more ballast) gives the keel model 6.8 seconds a mile in light air and 9 seconds a mile in 20 knots.

Despite being a centerboarder, the Bristol 35.5C, because of her ballast, has a very respectable calculated static stability of 115.

The boats phenomenal light-air performance is delineated in the Performance Package supplied by the United States Yacht Racing Union. In a true wind of 6 knots, close-hauled (44.5 degrees), the Bristol 35.5C, with a 120% jib, should do 3.9 knots. The velocity made good will be 2.8 knots. Shed be heeled only 5. Beam reaching in the same conditions, the boat should do 5.4 knots. In 20 knots true, the boat would do 6.1 knots, but would be heeling 31. Broad reaching in 20 knots, shed turn up slightly more than eight knots.

We’ve spent many happy hours sailing out of Newport, Rhode Island, aboard a 35.5C owned by Dwight Webb, who never has been known to overuse the engine. He’s a sailorman. Beautifully maintained (with all exterior teak varnished) and with excellentsails, including Hood furling on the headstay and a Doyle Stackpack on the main, Webbs boat always moves well in any air.

In the past, Webb has owned quite a few boats: a Meridian, Triton, Morgan 30, Pearson 33, Pearson 35, Bristol 39, C & C 33, Sea Sprite 34, C & C 34 and a C & C 38.

Hes passed on 10 years with the Bristol 35.5C, which he deems simply, Best boat Ive ever owned.

Conclusion If a Bristol 35.5C takes your fancy, try for one with either a Westerbeke diesel or the equally satisfactory three-cylinder, 24-hp diesel made for a time by Universal. Avoid the Yanmar 2QM 20H, a twocylinder diesel that struggles unsuccessfully to get up to hull speed.

Beware of a 1978 model without the modified centerboard.

Also, don’t pay extra for a boat with a half dozen headsails. The Bristol 35.5C achieves her polar diagram optimums with a single 120% or 130% jib, which ideally will be on furling gear. Jibs bigger than that simply overpower the boat.

You’ll pay heavily for a newer one, and because so few were built, the older used ones also are somewhat dear. 1981 is about where the ideal prices seem to occur. Those built later than 1981 seem to carry premium prices.

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Do you have any suggestions for replacing a broken centerboard cable? Will I need to access the board through the centerboard trunk from inside the boat?

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