on the look out

[Fore and Aft]

Seems to be plenty of choices on Facebook. These two below look interesting.
Cheers

[MicHughV]

Boatman, the draft is given in the link you attached as 7.17'....which is 7.2"

scroll down until you see the tab " specifications"

[MicHughV]

I cruised with a boat in the B'mas that had a 7'6" draft..he had a tough time of it...he got around ok, just couldn't anchor around...always was w-a-a-a-y out there...

For the B'mas, ideally, you want 5'6" or less......The Caribbean Islands, as you say, have much deeper water.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by MicHughV

Boatman, the draft is given in the link you attached as 7.17'....which is 7.2"

scroll down until you see the tab " specifications"

Ahh.. it says Max Draft 7.17 so it must be the CB model.

See BRISTOL 40.
BRISTOL 39 and 40 are nearly identical though dimensions changed slightly for all models.
Production (39) 1966-1970
Number built - 58
Production (40) 1970-1986
Number built - 149
A keel/cb version (BRISTOL 39 CB)was also available.
Keel/CB - draft: BD: 7.8'; BU: 4.0'

[MicHughV]

I have not come across too many Bristols, attesting to their rarity, but I understand them to be a good boat.

So a good pick regardless, especially so at the stated price.

[Montanan]

Originally Posted by kunfukev1

This would be my first boat so this is very helpful, I will look into the insurance issue on my arrival.

First Boat / Big Boat. Insurers tend to be quite hesitant to providing coverage to owners who do not have a lot of prior experience in operating boats of the large size. There is a big difference is displacement and values between a boat in the low 30 feet LOA and one that is in the upper 30's to lower 40's. And insurers also mitigate risk as to the allowed limits of travel of the vessel, [limitations as to near coastal versus offshore and to which regions]. Also, there are imposed requirements as to the minimum number of skilled crew and their specific experience acceptability that are required for the policy to be valid.

It is somewhat like the difference between a background of being licensed and driving a car and a professional having a commercial driver's license and a million miles of heavy-duty vehicle driving experience.

Prepare a detailed bio of your sailing experience so as to sell yourself as an experienced Master of the Seas.

You will be adding the challenge of obtaining insurance involving multiple jurisdictional factors: 1) where the vessel is located and to be located [Florida insurance must be purchased from a Florida licensed broker]; 2) the nationality of the owner & the operators; 3) the nationality of the vessel [its flagged nation].

Note: This insurance issue could very well be a deal blocker for your aspirations.

Good luck.

[Montanan]

Another issue will be arranging for marina berth. The boat will need to be safely stored for at least until you go sailing about and preferably anchor out.

1) Locate a place, there is a shortage and typically a waiting list.
2) Budget for such.

You might find the thread regarding insurance linked here to be informative:

https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f2/has-boat-insurance-become-so-hard-to-find-283257-3.html#post3867608

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by MicHughV

I have not come across too many Bristols, attesting to their rarity, but I understand them to be a good boat.

So a good pick regardless, especially so at the stated price.

Yup.. being a CB makes it a go anywhere boat, it's 4ft draft (BU) is perfect for the Bahamas and 7.17 (BD) also for the Windward Isles and ocean sailing + good pointing ability.

[MicHughV]

Since this thread started I have, surprisingly, come across several boats which could check all the boxes.
LOA 37' plus...
Cost $$$$....$50 or less
etc..etc...

Could be something to pick over with $50K in your pocket, but most all are going to need some work...either $$$$ or elbow grease...or both.

But if the OP has some already picked out, would like to see what they are. I found some possibilities in Georgia and NC.

It also begs the question, why come all the way to Florida to find a boat ? Surely there are boats available in the UK.

I'm intrigued to see how this all pans out......if the OP is willing to share...as my experience has always been, that once purchased, a number of things invariable float to the top requiring time and money to fix, especially with boats in the 30-40 year age.

[boatman61]

Doesn't fancy a Transat maybe..

[MicHughV]

I would think a trip from the UK to the Carib, would be a lot easier to do, than slugging you way to windward from Florida to the Carib, probably quicker too.

[Montanan]

Originally Posted by MicHughV

. . .


It also begs the question, why come all the way to Florida to find a boat ? Surely there are boats available in the UK.

I'm intrigued to see how this all pans out......if the OP is willing to share...as my experience has always been, that once purchased, a number of things invariable float to the top requiring time and money to fix, especially with boats in the 30-40 year age.

The OP desires to traverse the Caribbean for a year. Florida provides for proximity to the large inventory of sailboats and to start and end the navigation.

Of course, there is the challenge of hurricane season, June 1 to November 30.

[MicHughV]

Many years ago, back in the 70's, I was living in Somerset, England, and I often wandered around the coast there looking at boats, when I came across a smallish boat for sale, 24' or thereabouts, your classic English bilge keeler, when the thought occurred to me, I could sail this to the Caribbean. Fortunately, wiser heads prevailed and I was dissuaded from trying to do this, especially so, as I would be going solo.

Florida must have 123,567,876,440 boats for sale at any given time, so something is bound to fit the bill.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by MicHughV

I would think a trip from the UK to the Carib, would be a lot easier to do, than slugging you way to windward from Florida to the Carib, probably quicker too.

It can be done in 10 days or less if you go over the top of the Bahamas.. done it a couple of times and advised MarkJ to follow that route which he did in a near equal time..
Its only 1000 + or - nm to SXM/BVI.

[Montanan]

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced that Florida continues to lead the nation and has passed the mark of 1 million registered recreational vessels across the state. Florida, with its great year-round weather and plenty of access to fresh and salt water, is the “Boating Capital of the World.” With more people calling Florida home and more vessels on the water, it’s important that residents and visitors practice safe boating.

The top five counties for vessel registration in Florida are Miami-Dade (74,622), Pinellas (53,867), Lee (50,304), Broward (47,741) and Hillsborough (41,495).

The million boats does not include the many boats that are temporarily visiting from other states and countries.