The abstract of title came back from the USCG. I found the original owner who purchased the Bristol in 1974. Apparently the month he was to take
delivery Bristol filed bankruptcy. He then paid the new yard to finish the vessel. Bristol
lost track of the number of layers on the
hull and for liability reasons started laying glass as if it was on day one. They had to find extra larger through hulls to fit the thickness of the
hull. She was number 11. The last of the 440's. Her
draft is 5 ft even and net 22 for the hull. The stay sail was added in 1975. The owner had her at over 13 knots in a Nor'Easter surfing down waves off
Cape Cod but said she
sails at 8 knots, cruises under
power at 8.5 knots with the 26in prop and 80hp
diesel. On several occasions she motored against full flow at
Cape Cod Canal clearing it under
power. Despite her
shallow draft she points well into the
wind and was entered in around 20 races winning 1st in her class each time. Original pictures to come. He also said these boats were build to
live aboard cruising off shore and very forgiving. Needless to say I'm very pleased and reassured in my
purchase.
I'll post more soon when I get a hold of the second owner.