First Boat Purchase... Going to Have a Look at a Bristol 32

[Globalksp]

Cabin overall.

[Cheechako]

Sounds like a pretty darn nice boat. None of them are perfect. If the price is right, "get 'er done" before someone else does!

[barnakiel]

Originally Posted by Globalksp

(...)

I walked away excited.

(...)

AHA.

So that's that. You like it. So even if it is not this one, then there will be others alike this one. And you will find the one. Because you know what you like.

This excitement, it is the essential thing.

Re surveyors I think if one is all thumbs no fingers about boats, then a befriended local sailor who knows boats in out (if there is such a person near you) may be good enough. And if you like to read and educate yourself, then in half a year or so you can gather enough information to become your own surveyor. At least for such a simple boat as a small Bristol.

Gr8 to hear there are people with passion out there!

b.

[barnakiel]

Looking at the images and reading your posts gives me the impression that this boat is well worth short-listing. If chainplates look iffy, you can replace them with new ones. Try to find a just deal about how a sea-trial can be paid for and arranged (Unless you do not want a sea-trail).

Given the design, you are not going to have any performance surprises - she is not a J, but not a pig either - much will depend on your ability go keep her going in lighter airs (only if lighter airs are present in your location). She looks every inch a seaworthy design and I bet you will find she is, if you ask any seagoing owners.

Let us know how it develops.

b.

[endoftheroad]

It looks like you have educated yourself enough to make decent decesions but of course remain vigilant. I like what I see in the pics and what I hear you report.
I might ad to check for fractures in the bilge leading to water ingress into the keel especially if she is currently stored in the north. I'd say where she sits she should be worth every penny of 4k. To me anyway.

[endoftheroad]

Yep...estimating is one of my finest attributes.
4k. Nailed it!

1968 Bristol 32 sailboat for sale in New York

I say go for it mate!
Make an offer for less for him helping you transport into the water. Split the costs of transport or something.

Nice boat.

[Globalksp]

Not that it would be hard to find, but, thanks for bringing in the possible competition with the link

Thanks for keeping up with this, everyone.

I spoke with a surveyor today (who came highly recommended) and the survey and sea trial would be $20/ft. We spoke about the difficulty of getting the boat rigged and in the water for its sea trial and then the what ifs of there being something found once in the water that would kill the deal for me.

I'd love to ask the owner to split the cost of transport with me, but, I'm a sucker for hard luck stories and this guy has one. I'd feel a bit greedy if you know what I mean.

I like the peace of mind a survey would provide, but, it wouldn't be totally out of my nature to go on instinct, self learning, and the knowledge of competent, friendly, generous souls like yourselves (Note: I'm not debating the worth of a survey so lets keep that long beaten debate at bay for now).

I'm keeping my options open and continue to shop. The $4k has quickly turned into $8k after taking transport, stepping, and launch, survey, running rigging, mooring, insurance, sail repair...

In fact, there's a little Columbia 32 that just popped up for a questionable $1,900 around town

[endoftheroad]

Buy it!
Its a sweet little boat.
Go to a local boat yard with a bunch of trailers in the yard and offer a few hundred to get it to the water. Put an ad on craigslist looking for a trailer.
Watch mast stepping videos and hire a helper or mentor for stepping.
Be resoursefull!
Nevermind the current owners feelings, go for the juggler.
Your supposed to be a sailor!

Go fer it, I tell ya.

[Globalksp]

I like the way you think. Dangerously close to my own ways!

[malbert73]

For that price, i would buy it. May not even survey it at that price.
You have a running engine, a nice clean boat. Only thing I could imagine that would shake me off would be waterlogged deck core, which you or a surveyor could turn up with a moisture meter. You'll want to repace the rigging eventually if older than 10 yrs old which should cost less than 2k. Why spend 300 on a rigging survey to find that out?

Seriously, with a Universal diesel that runs, and clean interior, this boat is a steal if not wet decks at 4K.

[endoftheroad]

I'll steal it!

[Stu Jackson]

That appears to be a Universal M25 engine. It appears to have the alternator bracket upgrade (necessary) already done.

We have a TON of M25 engine information on our C34 website:

Diesel Engine - C34

Good luck, looks sweet.

[Rhapsody-NS27]

The interior looks great, the few pictures show that a little work is in store for it but doesn't look entirely like a dealbreaker.

I bought mine without a survey and it was sitting on a trailer for quite some time. I knew some work was needed and decided to go for it anyway and I'm very happy I did. Bristols look like good boats and that one looks like one that will serve its purpose very well.

Good luck to you if your search continues.

[laika]

Looks like a hell of a boat to my eye for $4-8G.

My boat's survey was like a one-day crash course in the thing, complete with a detailed report on everything from what you damn well ought to fix to minor recommendations. $600 may be a lot relative to a $4G boat, but if you shadow the surveyor and you end up buyin, it's absolutely gonna be worth your money. It aint gonna tell you everything and, sure, you'll figure it all out on your own, but practically speaking it's gonna tell you a hell of a lot about what you want to know about your boat (if you buy it).

If a sea-trial with him doesn't happen, you could probably get him to dive deeper into the boat and walk you through systems more thoroughly than he would otherwise have time for...

[letsgetsailing3]

Looks like a good deal, and it seems like you like it.

Go for it.