Bristol 29.9 Appropriate for N. Chesapeake?

[theArchitect]

Hello,
I am considering a Bristol 29.9 for weekend cruising on the Cheasapeake. It seems like a weak point of this boat is "it takes a little wind to get her going". Will this boat suit my purpose? If you are familiar with this boat and the sailing conditions around Annapolis, I'd be grateful for your feedback. Thank you!

[camaraderie]

I think the 29.9 will be a fine boat for cruising the Bay. As you say...not the fastest but well built and will stand up to conditions in summer squalls and has a nice shoal draft to let you gunkhole around the area. They are small interior volume boats compared with some production boats today but I assume that you have looked at that and found enough room for your purposes.
You might consider adding a drifter for light air days but no matter what boat you're on, a lot of summer days on the bay wll simply be rock and roll in the swell while looking at your boats' reflection in the water!
Nice boat!

[Sabreman]

Definitely add a gennaker & large headsail. When we were up there, the powerboats knocked out all our wind and we'd stop (in a Sabre 28) dead. The 29.9 is a nice boat and we'd see a few in that area. Perhaps there was a dealer there at one time?

[SailorMitch]

It'll be a good bay boat. There was one at my marina a few years ago and the guy loved the boat. In the heat of the summer, most boats drift around here on the Chesapeake, so don't let that stop you. Go for it.

[sailingdog]

One reason I'm glad I'm not down on the Chesaeake is the wind consistency, or lack thereof during the summer... Here on Buzzards Bay, the wind is pretty consistent.

[theArchitect]

Thanks for the feedback!

[SailorMitch]

Originally Posted by sailingdog

One reason I'm glad I'm not down on the Chesaeake is the wind consistency, or lack thereof during the summer... Here on Buzzards Bay, the wind is pretty consistent.

Dawg -- It all averages out to a nice sailing breeze of 10-15 knots during the day in the summer. Zephyrs of 0-10 knots most of the day, then 40 knots in the afternoon squalls. You get used to it. And we still have one of the most varied sailing venues anywhere -- especially if you happen to own a boat with a shoal draft winged keel and can explore all the creeks and bays.

[sailingdog]

Mitch-

While I can take full advantage of the zephyrs, most monohulls, especially under canvassed ones, like the Bristol 29.9, will have a tough time with it.

[SailorMitch]

Dawg,

1) Others adequately responded to that issue.

2) That's why they invented beer.

[Sabreman]

SailorMitch, You're right! My wife and I are transplants from the NJ shore (Ocean City) and while there is better wind, there are many times when you simply can't go out the inlets. On the other hand, we've been on the bay since '87 and have only scratched the surface wrt finding all the coves, creeks, and rivahs.

I'm off topic, sorry. Architect - buy the Bristol, it's a great boat. Sink your life savings, make it the best Bristol on the bay and never regret a minute because you'll see things that can't be seen anywhere else ... but venture South below the Potomac - best sailing in the Bay in my (almost) humble opnion.