Bristol 45.5, thoughts and experences?

[Capt_John]

I looking for a live aboard cruiser for the Florida Keys and Bahamas.
Any thoughts on the Bristol 45.5 Center Cockpit, Keel/center board, sloop?
Thanks in advance for any advice on the Bristol.
John

[sck5]

I looked at about 6-7 of them a couple of years ago when I was looking for my next boat. They are very nice but all the ones I saw were pretty beat up. If you can find a nice one it would be a great boat but all the ones I saw needed a serious refit - Way more than I was willing to take on.

[Shibumik]

Nice boats but many are really getting long in the tooth. Make sure the water tanks have been replaced. I hear it's about a HUGE expense because of how and where they are installed in the floors/under walks, etc.

[Steadman Uhlich]

See previous reads in CF on this boat. Good comments n them.
PM sent with tips to find them.

See a review by Jordan Yachts.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, John.

[AiniA]

Finished a circumnavigation on our Bristol 45.5 last year. Very pleased with the boat, it inspires great confidence. If you are only thinking about the Keys and Bahamas it may be more boat than you need though. You could find a cheaper boat that would be adequate. You need to look around to find one that is in good shape though. In light wind areas an asymmetric is a great to have.

[S/V Alchemy]

Originally Posted by AiniA

Finished a circumnavigation on our Bristol 45.5 last year. Very pleased with the boat, it inspires great confidence. If you are only thinking about the Keys and Bahamas it may be more boat than you need though. You could find a cheaper boat that would be adequate. You need to look around to find one that is in good shape though. In light wind areas an asymmetric is a great to have.

I second that as I crewed with this poster on a 2009 delivery through some pretty appalling and prolonged heavy weather. The Bristol 45.5 was stable in challenging conditions and I had to reexamine my prejudices against in-mast furling. It performed flawlessly, and while there's a penalty in terms of shape and drive compared to a traditionally reefed main, there's great comfort in being able to roll down the main to a bedsheet when a 40 knot squall is bearing down on the boat.

[sailingfarmer]

One of the best made boats money can buy

[Offshore1960]

Love my Bristol 40

[Steadman Uhlich]

Originally Posted by Capt_John

I looking for a live aboard cruiser for the Florida Keys and Bahamas.
Any thoughts on the Bristol 45.5 Center Cockpit, Keel/center board, sloop?
Thanks in advance for any advice on the Bristol.
John

Some previous discussions about the Bristol 45.5 on CF:

https://cse.google.com/cse?cx=011403...5.5&gsc.page=1

Review of Bristol 45.5 by Jordan Yachts. Good review:
http://www.jordanyachts.com/archives/3713

[ColdEH]

I have a Bristol 45.5 . I am sitting aboard her as I write this . Mine was in very good shape when I bought her with all new tanks and a new yanmar main engine . We love this boat it is our second home . Build quality is second to none , the woodwork is amazing , you will not find any soft vinyl coverings anywhere on these boats like on an Oyster . The floors are all hand laid piece by piece solid teak and holly . These are well found boats . They are worth any upgrading you may desire to do and will take you to far of ports in comfort and style . This is a 30 year old boat that has a totally dry deck and does not leak a drop at the deck joint . The centre board is the best of both worlds . Shallow draft and good upwind . These are not light boats and they have a very seakindly motion . The boat is surprisingly dry in all conditions . If I there was a boat I would have if I came into millions of dollars it would be a large Bristol . Maybe that 56.6 on yacht world . Hmmm what a boat that would be with a half a million dollar refit . I love these boats !!
Check out my videos , link at the bottom
Regards

[sailingfarmer]

Too much boat for many sailors... like trying to keep a doberman in a closet... these boats like to go sailing.

[jimp1234]

I don't want to hijack the thread but Bristols 45.5 are in my "top five" of boats I'm interested in, and I'd be very interested in hearing about what's involved and the costs associated with tank replacement. TIA

-Jim

[ColdEH]

Not sure of the cost , outs were dome before we bought the boat . But it is a big job and they had better know what they are doing . A lot of the interior wood work has to be removed . You could contact the hinckly yard or Morris yachts , also Lyman moore's does this kind of work . I could not tell were they removed our floor , great job .
Another option would be to put custom liners in side the existing tanks , that works as well .

Regards

[19Valiant79]

Bristol was the top design on our list of dream boats when we found our 'sister' Ted Hood designed Tartan Classic 37 - aka Blackwatch.
ALIDA was in progress of restoration, but not the deck coring or power systems including all electrical.
We took 2 years to rebuild decks, strip and barrier coat bottom, replace all systems, running and standing rigging, genoa, electronics
Sailed her, fast, stable, incredibly fun and well appointed especially with custom galley cabinet addition. Repowered her with new Yanmar 30.
When her 6 berths could no longer accommodate our growing brood of grandkids (now 11), we upgraded to 8 berths on a 40'!!

ALIDA is waiting for a new family, on the hard and ready to splash, Rockport Maine. 603 582 1426 Rocknak*s Yacht Sales