Bristol 26 for Boston Harbor?

[7tiger7]

Hi -
I live in Boston, and came across a Bristol 26 that looks to be in good condition. This would be my first sailboat (I grew up on fishing boats), and would mostly sail around Boston harbor, maybe to the Cape. The boat has been for sale since last year (I saw another message about the same boat / same owner in May of last year), and they are asking $6,000 (including mooring for the summer).

ANy thoughts on the boat itself? Too slow for Boston weather? Am I better off with something a little more spacious?

Thanks!

[seabreeze_97]

Funny you should mention spaciosness. Guess it all depends on what you're comparing it to.
Bristol 26

[sailingdog]

Bristols are generally well thought of as boats go...if a bit on the slower side. Is the one you're looking at a keel or a centerboard model, as i believe it was made with both.

[7tiger7]

It's full keel. It looks to be well taken care of... but I'm afraid it might just be too slow to get out and back, and not sure how the wind is in Boston harbor.
Would be great in a strong blow, though...

[Sabre66]

I like these boats, It seems like a comfortable little cruiser. I wouldn't get too hung up on speed. In this size, price range you wont do much better, just leave an hour earlier,with the tide.=)

[sailingdog]

From what I remember of them, they're not all that bad in light air, but not going to be speedy in any case. You do need to have some good sails for light air, if you want to get the beast to move well in light air. If the price is right and the survey checks out... I'd say go for it.

[7tiger7]

Hi -
so I'm going to go see this boat tomorrow (Bristol 26) -
Any things I should look out for? Also, this boat has a porta-pottie. Is this better than a built in head? Again, the most time I'd spend on the boat would be an overnight or two, weekends, and maybe a few days to the Cape.
Also - would you feel a 26 would be safe enough to get to Provincetown on the Cape, from Boston (I know - I can sail a 22 footer around the world if I prepare and am careful) - but would a 26 footer be ok in semi-open ocean?

Thanks all!
Phillip

[nolatom]

It should be a good "near-coastal" boat for you if the survey checks out. For what you're describing, she should be fine. Not fast, but a conservative design with few bad habits and a good all-round weekender or mini-cruiser, small enough to singlehand once you get the experience, and big enough to live on for a few days.

Also, around the Cape, you don't really want to draw over 4' so you can get into most of the harbors. So I think you've made a good pick.

[Goodnewsboy]

Don't get hung up on speed. Most sailboats I know about are limited by hull speed. To go faster, you generally must get longer.

[christyleigh]

Originally Posted by 7tiger7

Also, this boat has a porta-pottie. Is this better than a built in head? Again, the most time I'd spend on the boat would be an overnight or two, weekends, and maybe a few days to the Cape.

A porta-pottie has less than 5 gal capacity and the smallest built in I've heard of is around 10 gal. That wouldn't be so bad at a slip so you could just carry it off and dump it in the marina head (I've done it), but on a mooring that's going to be a big hassle if you spend much time aboard.