Bristol 32
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Steady's Notes
The photos of the
boat show a nice looking
boat, in what appears to be good condition. As with any
boat, a
survey is a good idea. Caveat Emptor.
I like what I see in the photos. There are more photos showing the
interior and
cockpit and details on the linked page.
This boat appears to be an outstanding example of a well maintained boat at a very low price.
The photos show a boat in very nice condition (especially considering the age). Someone has done a very good job of maintaining or updating this boat. It looks very nice and clean.
The Bristol brand is well respected among sailors in the
USA, as they produced many nice cruising boats, with 322 units of the Bristol 32 built.
I am favorably impressed by the number of updates and relatively recent
Yanmar Diesel engine (2003) that replaced an original Atomic 4 Gasoline
engine, and the long list of things already done (recently) that I would want done if
buying an old boat. I have bolded some of the especially noteworthy items below.
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Steady's POV on Value in Low Priced Used Boats
What strikes me when I see a boat like this is that so many of CF's new members are saying they have the dream to own a cruising boat, may have very little to zero cruising experience, and they want a "great deal" or "have very little
money." I understand that desire, and the financial constraints that may make them look for something that is
cheap or priced very low, so they can "fix it up."
Unfortunately, I think some are looking at boats that are essentially hulks, bare hulls, salvaged boats, sunken boats, damaged boats, or long neglected derelicts, simply because they are priced so low (e.g. Some $10k or possibly less, sometimes "free."). In my view, those can become extremely expensive boats when one considers the amount of time, labor, and materials (or gear) that will have to be spent to get them in good,
seaworthy condition ready for cruising. In my view, most of those boats are what is known as "false economy."
In comparison, when one looks at the long list of
equipment and recent updates (engine, sail, etc.) shown on this boat, it is a example of how much value can be found in an "well maintained, excellent condition" boat, compared to a derelict boat that may need a new
Diesel engine, new
exhaust, new
sails, new
rigging, new
mast, extensive
interior work, new
cushions, new
canvas, new
electronics, new
bottom paint, etc.
Consider how much all of those things (I bolded below) would cost to SOURCE,
PURCHASE and then INSTALL on a hulk/derelict boat that may be lower priced but does not have these items. Add them up, then compare that to the asking
price of the boat below. I think the economic decision is easy.
As I have said before, I share boats like these here because I want to see more people enjoying sailing. Finding a good,
seaworthy boat is the first big risky step for many, and one that can seem overwhelming to newbies who are not sure what to look for or what is a "good deal."
I hope this thread continues to help others, long after this or any particular boat shown here is sold. 
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Year = 1975
Asking Price = $19,500 OBO
Location = Palm Beach, Florida, USA
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Model Specifications from Internet : Sailboatdata
Hull Type: Fin
Keel Rig Type: Masthead
Sloop
LOA: 32.00' / 9.75m LWL: 22.00' / 6.71m
Beam: 9.50' / 2.90m Listed SA: 466 ft2 / 43.29 m2
Draft (max.) 4.67' / 1.42m
Draft (min.)
Displacement: 10800 lbs./ 4899 kgs. Ballast: 3900 lbs. / 1769 kgs.
Sail Area/Disp.1: 15.31 Bal./Disp.: 36.11% Disp./Len.: 452.80
Designer: Ted
Hood / Dieter Empacher
Builder: Bristol Yachts Inc. (USA)
Construction: FG solid laminate Bal. type:
First Built: 1966 Last Built: 1983 # Built: 322
AUXILIARY
POWER (orig. equip.)
Make: Universal Model: Atomic 4
Type: Gas HP:
TANKS
Water: 100 gals. / 378 ltrs.
Fuel:
NOTE: The boat was built in
sloop,
ketch, and yawl variations.
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Link to Ad with contact info for owner. FSBO
https://miami.craigslist.org/pbc/boa...511644445.html
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All photos in this post are from THIS ad for THIS boat.
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Here is an excerpt of the ad's description:
"• 1975 Bristol
Centerboard Sloop, designed by Ted
Hood, and built in Bristol,
Rhode Island. She turns heads at the
dock, and
sails beautifully. Her shoal-draft
keel draws 3'7" with the
centerboard up - great for
Florida waters. And the ST4000+
autopilot makes her easy to single-hand.
•
Motor is a 2003, 3-cylinder, 30 hp Yanmar 3GM30F Diesel (I believe the original was an 18 hp Universal. So the 30 hp
motor really gets her through strong currents and
wind.) I've kept a
maintenance log since I bought the boat in 2014, and have performed regular engine
maintenance. Starts right up, no smoke, runs strong!
•
2014: new Garhauer mainsheet traveler; new bimini over cockpit.
•
2015: new exhaust elbow; new head pump & check valves; new mainsail cover (Mack Pack) and Lazy Jacks; new VHF radio.
• 2016: completely stripped, caulked, and varnished toe rail, coaming boards, hand rails.
•
2017: boat hauled: bottom job with 2 coats of Trinidad; new scupper through-hulls; stanchions, chain plates, and block tracks rebedded; new LED bow nav-lights; seacocks lubricated; hull waxed; new cutlass bearing and prop zinc; jib reconditioned & new luff tape; new furling line.
•
Also 2017: new mainsail; new LED spreader lights, new batteries; new battery charger, new water pump">raw water pump, new auto pilot drive unit.
•
2 GPS chartplotters, new VHF radio, Dual AM/FM/CD player with
salon and cockpit speakers, (SAT ready Pioneer DEH-P5900IB CD receiver - not installed), alcohol
marine stove,
ST40 depth sounder, ST4000+ auto pilot, 2 Barient 22-39 self-tailing 2-speed primary winches, electric windlass, roller furling genny, jiffy reefing mainsail from cockpit, lazy jacks, Mack Pack quick-zip sail cover, Racor primary fuel filter.
Asking $19,500 or best offer"
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My Disclaimers and Requests
I have no financial or other connection to this boat or the seller.
I have not seen this boat in person, nor have I sailed on it.
As with any boat, it is a good idea to
research the design to learn about how they sail, common problems and owner opinions.
As with any boat, it is smart to have a qualified yacht
surveyor perform a
survey of the boat to assess its condition.
I am
posting this to help others find boats. This one caught my eye, and I hope this thread helps others find a good fit for them.
I hope this thread proves helpful to CF Members. If so, let me know, as it is nice to know the time spent on it has helped others.
IF you
purchase this boat, let me know (a PM would be OK).
IF you purchase this boat, I would enjoy seeing it, or going for a sail on it, if I am ever in your area. Or, if you own a similar or sister boat send me a PM. I enjoy sailing on a wide variety of boats and would like to get some time on many designs, including this one.
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