- New Sailboats
- Sailboats 21-30ft
- Sailboats 31-35ft
- Sailboats 36-40ft
- Sailboats Over 40ft
- Sailboats Under 21feet
- used_sailboats
- Apps and Computer Programs
- Communications
- Fishfinders
- Handheld Electronics
- Plotters MFDS Rradar
- Wind, Speed & Depth Instruments
- Anchoring Mooring
- Running Rigging
- Sails Canvas
- Standing Rigging
- Diesel Engines
- Off Grid Energy
- Cleaning Waxing
- DIY Projects
- Repair, Tools & Materials
- Spare Parts
- Tools & Gadgets
- Cabin Comfort
- Ventilation
- Footwear Apparel
- Foul Weather Gear
- Mailport & PS Advisor
- Inside Practical Sailor Blog
- Activate My Web Access
- Reset Password
- Customer Service
- Free Newsletter
The PDQ 32 Cruising Cat Used Boat Review
Dufour 44 Used Boat Review
Blue Jacket 40 Used Boat Review
Catalina 270 vs. The Beneteau First 265 Used Boat Match-Up
How to Create a Bullet-Proof VHF/SSB Backup
Tips From A First “Sail” on the ICW
Tillerpilot Tips and Safety Cautions
Best Crimpers and Strippers for Fixing Marine Electrical Connectors
Revive Your Mast Like a Pro
Solving the Dodger Dilemma
Polyester vs. Nylon Rode
Getting the Most Out of Older Sails
Sailing Triteia: Budget Bluewater Cruising
How To Keep Pipe Fittings Dry: Sealant and Teflon Tape Tests
Fuel Lift Pump: Easy DIY Diesel Fuel System Diagnostic and Repair
Propane Leak: How to Detect, Locate and Fix
Why Choose the Wharram Design?
Winterizing: Make It Easy With Checklists
Stopping Holding-tank Odors
Giving Bugs the Big Goodbye
Galley Gadgets for the Cruising Sailor
The Rain Catcher’s Guide
Sailing Gear for Kids
What’s the Best Sunscreen?
UV Clothing: Is It Worth the Hype?
Preparing Yourself for Solo Sailing
R. Tucker Thompson Tall Ship Youth Voyage
On Watch: This 60-Year-Old Hinckley Pilot 35 is Also a Working…
On Watch: America’s Cup
On Watch: All Eyes on Europe Sail Racing
Dear Readers
- Sailboat Reviews
Bristol 39/40
The looks of these twins are strictly traditional, but so is the interior room modern 33-footers have more..
The Bristol 39 and Bristol 40 are basically the same boat, even though the specifications state that the Bristol 40 is nearly a foot longer than the Bristol 39. According to the builder, the hull sections aft were made slightly fuller on the Bristol 40, and the stemhead fitting was altered. After very careful scaling of plans, we can say with reasonable confidence that from one end of the hull to the other, excluding the bow pulpit and the anchor roller, the Bristol 39 and Bristol 40 are about 39′ 8″ long. Whether you call it a 39-footer or a 40-footer is up to you.
But this is not a 40′ boat in the modern sense. Yes, if you take a tape measure to the boat, you’ll read almost 40′. But if you go below, you’ll swear you stepped onto a 33′ boat—at least if you’re used to looking at the 33-footers built today.
With a waterline length of 27′ 6″ and a beam of 10′ 9″, The Bristol 40’s proportions are about as typical as you can get of cruising/racing sailboats built between about 1930, when the CCA (Cruising Club of America) rule was conceived, and 1970, when it was replaced by the International Offshore Rule (IOR). For those 40 years, about 30% of the average boat’s length was in overhangs. Today, you find the waterline length and beam of the Bristol 40 on boats less than 35′ long.
About 150 Bristol 40s were built. This does not include the relatively small number of boats in the Bristol 39 series.
The 39 was one of the first models built by Bristol Yachts, entering production in 1966. Beginning with 1972 models, the boat was rechristened the Bristol 40. The last Bristol 40 was built in 1986.
If you like traditional yachts, you’ll find the Bristol 40 appealing. The boat has the long overhangs, lovely sheerline, low freeboard, narrow cabin trunk undistorted hull shape, and narrow beam we associate with the beautiful yachts of the past. If you didn’t know she was a Ted Hood design, you might mistake her for a boat by Olin Stephens, John Alden, or Phil Rhodes. The trade-off for these traditional good looks is a boat with a small interior compared to today’s 40- footers.
Sailing Performance “Fast” is a very relative term when you’re talking about sailboats. The Bristol 40 is not fast relative to more modern 40-footers, but her performance is similar to that of other boats of her length built under the CCA rule, when boats were heavier and shorter on the waterline than they are today. The boat is close in speed, for example, to the Hinckley Bermuda 40 yawls with the original low aspect ratio rig. It is about 30 seconds per mile slower, however, than the Cal 40—a boat of the same length on deck, but with a longer waterline, less wetted surface and slightly less displacement.
In both keel and centerboard versions, the Bristol 40 is a fairly tippy boat, as you would expect from her narrow beam, shoal draft, and modest amount of ballast. Like “fast,” however, “tippy” is a relative term.
Most narrow boats have relatively low initial stability, even if their ultimate stability is good. For example, the McCurdy and Rhodes 62-footer Arcadia, built in 1972, is about 2′ narrower than a new IOR 60- footer would be, and has a righting moment about 15% lower than that of the new boat, even though Arcadia is significantly heavier.
Yet Arcadia’s range of positive stability is about 143°, while the typical “modern” racer/cruiser loses positive stability at 120° or less.
Unfortunately, being narrow and tippy doesn’t guarantee a good range of ultimate stability. The keel version of the Bristol 40 loses positive righting moment at about 120°—the absolute minimum we would consider for a serious offshore cruiser. The centerboard version’s range of stability is less—about 110° for the only boat rated under the International Measurement System (IMS).
It is not unusual for centerboarders to have very low positive stability. The Hinckley Bermuda 40— the classic keel-centerboarder—typically loses stability at an even lower angle than the centerboard Bristol 40, yet few people would consider the boat unsuitable for passage making.
Owners report that the Bristol 40 is very sensitive to the amount of sail carried. We’d suggest a modern headsail reefing/furling system for shorthanded cruising to reduce the number of headsail changes required. Like most CCA boats, the Bristol 40 is a good reaching boat, lacking the rounding-up tendency of many modern boats with full sterns. The trade-off is that the boat tends to squat when running downwind, digging a hole that’s hard to climb out of. A Bristol 40 with a full keel won the 1983 Marion- Bermuda Race, an event that consisted largely of four days of close reaching in light to moderate breezes.
Because the boat is narrow, there is no need to move the genoa track inboard of the toerail. The only real disadvantage of toerail-mounted genoa track is that you may have to relead the sheet to clear stanchions when changing headsails or reducing sail area with a headsail furler, unless there are turning blocks at the aft end of the genoa track.The two most common mainsheet arrangements on the boat are a short traveler spanning the cockpit immediately in front of the steering wheel, or a longer traveler over the coachroof in front of the companionway. The short traveler in the cockpit doesn’t really offer much mainsail control, but it is a convenient location for the sheet.
The rig is a basic masthead sloop or yawl, using an untapered, keel-stepped anodized mast with single spreaders and double lower shrouds: basically foolproof. The lower shroud chainplates do not line up exactly with the pull of the shrouds, which will tend to fatigue the chainplates over time, as well as increasing the likelihood of leaks due to an unfair pulling angle.
Since this is a boat that was in production for the better part of 20 years, it’s difficult to generalize about the sailing gear you’ll find. On the Bristol 40s we’ve looked at, the stock winches tend to be one or two sizes smaller than we’d put on the boat today. You’re unlikely to find self-tailers on older models.
A lot of Bristol 40s were built as yawls. While the yawl rig is pretty and looks very traditional, the mizzen is generally only useful to help balance the helm, as a convenient place to mount a radar antenna, and to serve as a support for a mizzen staysail on the rare occasion that it pays to carry one. The mizzen makes the boat more tippy and increases windage—disadvantages for upwind sailing.
Engine Before 1970, Bristol 39s came with either Atomic 4 or Graymarine gas engines. Later model 39s and Bristol 40s were powered either by the Atomic 4 or by a variety of diesels, including the Westerbeke 4-91, Westerbeke 4-107 and 4-108, Perkins 4-108, or Volvo MD2B and MD3B engines. That should be enough variety to satisfy everyone.
The Westerbeke and Perkins 4-108s are essentially the same engine, and in our opinion would be the best engine for the boat, although they’re more power than it needs. Diesel engine installations in the Bristol 40 are not without problems. There is little room between the shaft coupling and the stuffing box—so little, in fact, that several owners surveyed reported that it is almost impossible to reach the stuffing box for adjustment or repacking.
In all models, the fuel tank is located under the cockpit sole, above the engine. Fuel capacity is about 30 gallons. Early diesel-powered models have black iron fuel tanks, and at least one owner surveyed reported having to replace a rusted-out tank after a years. Later models have aluminum fuel tanks, which are less likely to corrode. Range under power with the Perkins 4-108 and 30 gallons of fuel will be about 180 miles.
The gasoline engines used in early models swing a small prop. Unfortunately, when the switch was made to bigger diesels—the Perkins 4-108 displaces 108 cubic inches, the Atomic 4 only 65 cubic inches— the propeller aperture was not enlarged, limiting prop size. We measured the height to be 16 1/2″, which means you can really only swing about a 15″ prop and still maintain adequate tip clearance. The result is that you end up turning an oversquare prop (more pitch than diameter), which is not the most efficient way to utilize the engine in a sailboat.
Our prop choice would be a three-bladed feathering Maxprop for the best combination of performance under both sail and power. The Maxprop would also slightly improve handling in reverse, which is rated as poor by most owners. A tiny fixed prop tucked in an aperture in the deadwood and rudder is a bad combination for handling in reverse. Powering ahead, the boat handles just fine.
There is no sound insulation in the engine compartment. Access to the front of the engine is fair, requiring removal of the front of the engine box which doubles as the companionway ladder.
Construction Bristol Yachts has gone through a lot of changes over the years. The prime mover behind Bristol was Clint Pearson, one of the pioneering Pearson brothers— the other, Everett, now runs Tillotson-Pearson.
The boats built by Bristol today are a far cry from those of 15 years ago. Current Bristols are targeted toward the middle to upper end of the production and semi-custom markets, with very good finish detail and systems. Originally, Bristols were aimed at the mass market, and were finished and equipped accordingly.
Since the Bristol 40 was built over a period of 20 years, there were a number of minor changes during the production run, but the last boats are essentially the same as the first ones.
The Bristol 40 is not a particularly lightly built boat, but she is certainly not heavy for her overall length, even by modern standards. The boat is substantially lighter than most long-keel CCA 40-footers. The Hinckley Bermuda 40, for example, displaces about 20,000 pounds in normal trim. The Cal 40, considered a real lightweight in 1966, weighs about 16,000 pounds in IMS measurement trim; the average Bristol 40, right at 17,000 pounds in the same configuration.
By way of comparison, the Little Harbor 38 that won the 1986 Newport-Bermuda Race tips the scales at a hefty 25,000 pounds, and the newer Bristol 38.8 has a designed displacement of just over 19,000 pounds.
None of the Bristol 40 owners we surveyed report any major structural flaws. They do, however, complain of annoyances such as leaking ports, deck hardware, and hull/deck joints. These are generally assembly and quality control problems, and most can be solved by the owner, albeit with a fair amount of labor. A leaking hull/deck joint may be more of a problem, but this type of leak should show up during a careful examination of the boat. Discoloration and water streaks inside lockers and on bulkheads, rust and drips on through-fastenings, and mysterious puddles of water may indicate leaks in the joint.
From a cruiser’s point of view, a nice feature of the Bristol 40 is its water capacity: 130 gallons in two fiberglass water tanks.
Any sailboat hull older that about eight years is getting on toward being a candidate for painting. While the gelcoat in the Bristol 40s we examined still looks reasonable, most of the colored hulls—pastels were popular in the 70s—are badly faded. The colored gelcoat used was not colorfast.
We also noted numerous gelcoat flaws on decks cracks around stanchion bases, some voids at sharp corner transitions. During the survey, the surveyor should carefully sound the entire deck for voids. If you’re going to go to the trouble and expense of painting, you might as well catch all the problems at the same time.
Deck non-skid is a molded-in basket weave pattern, and we have found it to be less effective than more aggressive non-skid designs.
The cockpit is huge, with seats almost 7′ long. The well is narrow enough that you can brace your feet against the opposite seat—a good feature on any boat, but especially important on a tippy boat. The big cockpit is a mixed blessing. It gives plenty of space for daysailing or in-port parties, but it is also vulnerable to filling in extremely heavy offshore conditions.
In our opinion, the cockpit scuppers are too small. Each of the two scuppers is about the size of a bathtub drain. Since there is no bridgedeck—just a raised companionway sill—it is particularly important that the cockpit drain quickly. This is a pretty reasonable retrofit job. For offshore sailing, the bottom dropboard should be caulked and permanently secured in place.
There is a reasonable amount of exterior teak trim on the boat, including toerails, cabin eyebrow trim, handrails, and cockpit coamings. A Bristol 40 with a freshly-Awlgripped hull and varnished teak trim would look handsome, indeed.
On the port and starboard quarters, there are large chocks for dock lines. While these look substantial, they are only screwed to the toerails, and can easily tear out. Chocks can be very heavily loaded during panic dockings, and should always be through-bolted, as should all deck hardware.
Through hull fittings are not recessed flush, but can easily be faired in to reduce drag in very light air. The Constellation-style rudder is set slightly above the aft edge of the keel, so that the boat will ground out on the keel rather than the rudder.
Instead of a bolt-on external keel, the Bristol 40 has a molded keel cavity filled with 6,500 pounds of lead. One owner we surveyed had added 1,500 pounds of lead pigs in the bilge to improve stability.
Interior Bristol has always made extensive use of built-up interiors of plywood and solid wood, rather than fiberglass molded components trimmed out in solid wood. The company has also made extensive use of mahogany rather than teak in interior construction.
If you’re used to the dull brown of teak, the brighter reddish-brown of the mahogany interior of the Bristol may or may not appeal to you. Mahogany must be varnished: it is not suited to an oil finish in a marine environment. If you let the varnish wear off, the wood will turn grey, particularly after exposure to water.
At the same time, mahogany is lighter and brighter than teak, and can make an all-wood interior slightly less gloomy. If all else fails, you can always paint out the mahogany bulkheads and leave the mahogany trim varnished. Teak plywood is much harder to paint out, since its waxy surface doesn’t hold paint very well.
The built-up interior allowed a number of interior options in the Bristol 39 and 40. As originally drawn, the boat had a wide-open offshore racing interior, with a sail locker forward, the head in the area normally reserved for a forward sleeping cabin, and symmetrical pilot berths, settees, and quarterberths in the main cabin. While it provides six sea berths, this interior has little appeal for a cruising family. Most boats were built with one of several more conventional interior layouts.
One advantage of long-ended boats is that the Vberths don’t have to be jammed into the bow. Instead, you get berths that are wide enough at the foot for normal-sized people. The forward cabin of the Bristol 40 is quite roomy, with two berths and various lockers and drawers. An insert turns the V-berths into a reasonable double berth.
The head compartment is aft of the forward cabin, on the port side. It is a big, roomy head, with rather remarkable storage, including 10 small drawers and three lockers. All boats came with hot and cold pressure water, and have a hand-held shower attached to the head sink fixture.
Opposite the head are the usual hanging lockers.
Several different main cabin layouts were offered, with an arrangement to please just about every fairly conventional taste. On the port side, you’ll find either a settee berth with storage outboard, a Ushaped dinette, or a narrow pull-out settee with a pilot berth outboard. On the starboard side, you’ll usually find a settee with a folding pipe berth above, although some boats were built with a conventional pilot berth outboard of the starboard settee.
On boats without a dinette, the main cabin table folds up against the port forward bulkhead—a reasonable solution in a narrow boat.
Main cabin storage space is quite good, with a number of drawers and lockers. The actual storage arrangement varies with each interior layout.
Ventilation in the main cabin, as well as in the entire boat, is so-so. There is an opening port in the head, and a cowl vent overhead. There is another cowl vent on the other side of the cabin trunk opposite the head, providing some air to the forward cabin and main cabin in foul weather. Over the forward cabin is a large fiberglass hatch.
A fiberglass hatch over the main cabin was optional. The main cabin ports do not open. Ventilation would be greatly improved by adding Dorade boxes just in front of the dodger breakwater at the aft end of the main cabin. If you also put a reversible aluminum-framed hatch directly over the middle of the main cabin, and added a small dodger to it for heavy weather protection, you’d go from lousy ventilation to good airflow in one fell swoop.
We’re not keen on the fiberglass hatches used in production boats in the 1970s. They distort easily, and never seem to seal completely.
Headroom is about 6′ 4″ on centerline aft, decreasing to about 6′ in the forward cabin.
In all interior layouts other than the original ocean racing one, the galley is at the aft end of the main cabin. There are two aft galley arrangements. One is spacious but not particularly efficient, the other is tight. On boats equipped with a quarterberth and nav station on the port side, the galley is jammed into the starboard aft corner, and is small for a 40-footer. On boats without a nav station, stove and sink are on the port side, with a large icebox opposite to starboard. The top of the icebox is then used as a navigation table. Neither galley layout is as good as the Ushaped galley used on more modern boats such as the Bristol 38.8.
You’ll have to make a choice on the galley layout. A nav station is very desirable if the boat is used for more than daysailing. Yet the starboard galley you get on boats with nav stations is quite small, and doesn’t have much storage for foodstuffs or utensils.
Even on boats with the port nav station, the electrical panel is located on the starboard side, above the galley and next to the companionway, in a fiberglass box that’s a molded part of the cabin liner. We’d want to give better protection to the panel by building a frame with an opening clear acrylic cover.
Despite the narrowness of the Bristol 40 compared to newer boats, the interior is reasonably laid out and not cramped. Headroom is good, and you can easily make improvements in ventilation. The interior doesn’t seem as spacious as a lot of boats due to the fairly narrow, tall cabin trunk. Newer designs have more freeboard, allowing a lower cabin trunk and increasing the feel of interior space.
Conclusions Like the better-known Bermuda 40, the Bristol 40 is an exceptionally pretty boat, and those good looks are one factor that kept the boat in production for such a long time. But the Bermuda 40 has been carefully refined, and its reputation nurtured by a group of nearly-fanatical owners who are willing to pay rather remarkably high prices for a design that is now 30 years old.
The Bristol 40, on the other hand, lacks that reputation and following. A few Bristol 40s were built for die-hards even after the boat was superseded in 1983 by the faster, roomier, stiffer Bristol 38.8—a design that is a distinctly more modern Hood cruiser/racer.
Because of her large cockpit, small cockpit drains, slightly vulnerable companionway, and fairly low initial stability, this boat wouldn’t be a good choice for extended offshore cruising, although Bristol 40s have certainly done their share of it. For cruising in the Chesapeake, Bahamas, or Gulf of Mexico, the keel-centerboard version would be a reasonable choice, and even the deep keel model draws substantially less than most 40-footers.
A late-model, sloop-rigged boat with Perkins or Westerbeke diesel would be our first choice. Since relatively few changes were made in the boat during the years of production, however, you might also find a good older boat on which a lot of attention has been lavished.
If you like traditional looks, and you cruise in shoal coastal waters without extremely heavy winds a lot of the time, the Bristol 40 should appeal to you. You’re a natural candidate for the boat if the looks of the Bermuda 40 catch your eye, but you don’t have the pocketbook to indulge yourself in Hinckley quality.
RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR
Leave a reply cancel reply.
Log in to leave a comment
Latest Videos
A Sailboat Tour of the Exquisite Little Harbor 63 Ketch
Dock and Anchor Lines – Polyester or Nylon?
The Performance Sailboat from Island Packet: Blue Jacket 40 Boat Review
Top 3 Winter Boat HACKS!
Latest sailboat review.
- Privacy Policy
- Do Not Sell My Personal Information
- Online Account Activation
- Privacy Manager
Boats for Sale
Bristol yachts.
- For Sale By Price
- For Sale By Length
- For Sale By State
- Formerly for Sale (Archives)
Bristol Yachts Information
Corporate History:
The Bristol Yacht Company was established by Clinton “Clint” Pearson. Clint and his cousin Everett Pearson began construction of fiberglass dinghies in 1955 in their garage in Seekonk, MA on County Street. Within a years’ time the newly established Pearson Yachts employed hundreds of people. Fast corporate expansion resulted in cash flow difficulties. The cousins raised capital by selling an equity position in Pearson to Grumman Allied Industries in 1961. Clint left in 1964 and acquired a distressed sailboat builder, Sailstar, in West Warwick, RI. He moved into the abandoned Herreshoff boatyard. Carl Alberg designed the company's first boat, a Bristol 27. Clint decided to change the company’s name to Bristol Yacht Company in 1966, thus phasing the Sailstar brand name out of existence. The boat yard was eventually located on Popasquash Road, in Bristol, RI. The facilities included a giant outbuilding on land owned by Clinton and where his home was located as well. Across the road from the outbuilding was a small marina and travel lift. Owing to bankruptcy the company was closed in 1997. Resources for Bristol Yacht and Bristol Sailboat owners and future owners
- Bristol Owners Association
- Bristol Yachts Wikipedia Article
- Bristol29 restoration site
- Bristol 41.1 Review
Click here for Bristol Yachts for Sale
Connecting with Marinesource.com
Copyright 1992-2024 MarineSource Network, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Open: Tues-Sat: 10-5pm, Sun: 12-5pm | Donate to the Museum
The 2024 America's Cup Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
14 October ◇ Museu Marítim de Barcelona ◇ Spain
Inducting Josh Belsky, Bob Fisher, Kevin Shoebridge and Juan Vila & Honoring Cino Ricci and Louis Vuitton
Upcoming Community Events
October 2, 2024 6:00 pm
“Sailing to Freedom: Maritime Dimensions of the Underground Railroad” by Timothy D. Walker
America’s cup hall of fame induction ceremony, 2024, gallery talk with museum curator, evelyn ansel, “the pirate’s wife: the remarkable true story of sarah kidd” by dr. daphne palmer geanacopoulos, virtual model room tour.
We are excited to bring you this web-based tour of the N.G.H. Model Room, courtesy of Halsey C. Herreshoff and supported by the HArT Recovery Program.
Latest Museum News
PRESS RELEASE: 2024 Herreshoff Classic Regatta Recap, August 23-25
A summary of the weekend's racing results from the 2024 Herreshoff Classic Yacht Regatta
The Museum is currently open for the Summer Season: Tuesday to Saturdays from 10am to 5pm and Sundays from Noon to 5pm.
Our range of programming for youth and adults, both on shore and on the water, make HMM a unique center for learning and historical perspective.
Your support can make all the difference as we seek to preserve the Herreshoff legacy for marine & industrial innovation, and develop a sustainable institution.
Museum News
August 30, 2024
July 17, 2024
June 13, 2024
NEWSLETTER SIGN-UP
Sign up to receive THE CURRENT with featured articles, news, and upcoming events.
Explore our Museum
America's cup, hall of fame.
The America's Cup Hall of Fame honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to yachting's most distinguished competition.
Come by water and stay or walk our docks to experience the heart of the Rhode Island coastline.
Building 28
Building 28 was the home to the construction of a 37’ tall model of 1903 Herreshoff-built America’s Cup defender RELIANCE and continues to be a place of creation.
Hall of Boats
As a result of more than thirty-five years of careful documentation, acquisition and restoration, the Museum boasts over sixty significant boats.
Rebecca Chase Herreshoff Library
The primary research resource and repository of manuscripts of the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company (1863-1945) and the Herreshoff family.
Herreshoff Events
From Lecture Series to Community Events, there is always something happening at the Herreshoff Marine Museum in Bristol.
Employment Opportunities
HMM has job openings available in retail, sailing and finance.
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
Pearson Yachts Portal
Pearson yachts history.
The year was 1953. It started, naturally enough, with an idea.
In 1953 Everett Pearson, who had his first boat at 8 years old, was a Junior at Brown University and his cousin Clinton was in the Navy. They had been sailing all their lives and on spring vacation they built a plug for an 8' dinghy and started molding fiberglass boats that summer. Clinton came out of the Navy in 1955 and Everett went in and was based out of Newport. At that time Clinton started building an 8' dinghy and a 15' runabout behind the house out in Seekonk Massachusetts where he experimented before considering commercial production. Clint ran the operation pretty much by himself from 1955-1957 as Pearson Plastic Corporation. Then when Everett got out of the service in 1958 production began with classic models such as the sporty Marauder runabout and the Plebe sailing and Cub rowing dinghy. Within a year and a half the boys had moved up to 15' boats, all being built and sold out of their garage. "Clint and I ended up getting a line of credit from the bank for $2,500 each. That's all the bank would give us, initially. We built that up with lines of credit from our vendors."
Clinton and Everett and fellow Brown alumnus Fred Heald eventually worked out of headquarters located in the basement of a textile building in Bristol, Rhode Island. "We couldn't even stand up straight while working on boats because of overhead sprinkler pipes". They experimented with glassing techniques and resin formulae as they went along. They became proficient at the art of lofting fiberglass runabouts and dinghies. They built the 8' dinghy and runabouts of 15'-20' until 1959", apparently changing the brand from Pearson Plastic to Peerless Boats by Pearson .
Up to 1961 were the toughest years of the business, as they used a timeclock and logged 93 hour weeks for four years. Everett said "It was a lot of work and a lot of fun. Selling the runabouts was a real rat-race, kind of like selling used cars, it was a real chore to survive while you bang the boats out in the spring and take them to the show to sell in the fall in a cyclical pattern. We really couldn't see the forest for the trees as to where we were really going. By the summer of 1958 Tom Potter, who worked for American Boat Building in East Greenwich, asked if the cousins, now working out of an empty textile mill in Bristol, Rhode Island, would consider building a fiberglass boat that would sell for less then $10,000. Carl Alberg did the design and the Triton was born. Tom had been with American Boat who was building the Vitesse 40' Yawl, which became the Block Island 40 '. Tom walked in with the plan and we jumped at it! We thought that this would be a goal and a real challenge for us." It was 1959 and the start of the Triton project and Pearson Yachts Incorporated .
Pearson Cousins on the Privateer
Pearson Corporation added several new boats in 1959, including what was to become the flagship 28' Triton auxiliary cruising boat rigged either as a sloop or yawl. The line, then known as Peerless boats were made of fiberglass. The Peerless Triton was offered with alternate interior arrangments as well as the choice in rig. She is said to have room equal to that of a 25' boat of wooden construction through space-saving advantages of fiberglass. She has full headroom under the cabin trunk and bunks for four or six. Power is a Universal Atomic Four of 25 hp. She has an enclosed head, stainless stell sink, fully insulated molded fiberglass icebox, air foam mattresses and a 12-volt lighting system.
The Pearson Triton was designed by Carl Alberg at the request for a "28-footer that sleeps four". It became one of the first fiberglass auxillary sailboats in the country. The design was brought to the Pearsons who worked with Alberg to adapt it to the fiberglass construction which resulted in a roomy interior unlike any comparable wooden boat of its size on the market at the time. They had the opportunity to bring hull #1 to the New York Boatshow in 1959. In preparation for the boat show Everett said "We worked 3 1/2 days straight to get the first boat ready for the show and slept aboard. We loaded it at 2 AM, rode the truck to NYC, the engine still not wired!" At that time, Pearson was down to less than 10 employees and could not come up with the cash for the $1500 balance of the display fee for the NYC Show until a family friend came up with a $3000 loan to get them there. They came back from the Show with 18 cash deposits, all sales direct - no dealers. "We came close to never having our boats." But the Triton went viral at that show with orders upwards of $170,000, so the loan was paid back and the company was off and running.
The success of the Triton not only launched Pearson Yachts but also the career of the designer Carl Alberg. Eventually about 750 Tritons would be produced. A quote on Pearson's work in developing construction standards for fiberglass: "We designed the hull laminate from the waterline down so that the boat, laid over on its side with the entire weight of the boat resting on the keel and one square inch of the hull would yield not more than 1/2 inch and produce no structural damage to the boat".
The Company
In the early 1960's, Pearson Yachts, working in partnership with several famous designers, built a reputation for fine quality construction with sound designs and outstanding beauty and performance. They attracted the attention of Grumman Allied Industries who in 1961 bought a controlling interest in the company and brought stability to the fledgling company. And so began an era of continued steady growth. Everything grew bigger, including the boats themselves. There was a full line of powerboats, and a series of increasingly large and innovative sailing yachts. Among the powerboats was the 34-foot Sunderland; among the sailing auxilliaries, the Invicta 37 and the Rhodes 41.
In true entrepreneurial spirit, Clinton left the company in 1964, bought out Sailstar and formed Bristol Yachts, who's first design was Alberg's Bristol 27. Everett left in 1966 to form Tillotson Pearson Inc. (TPI) in industrial applications and boats which included brands such as Freedom, J-Boats, Rampage and Alerion.
In 1964 Pearson Yachts had hired a young Naval Architect by the name of Bill Shaw who had sharpened his design skills at the prestigious firm of Sparkman & Stephens, including serving as chief designer of the Americas Cup defender Columbia . He had also exercised hands-on experience building boats in the Far East. He combined the scientific mind of the engineer, the creative eye of the artist, and the realism of the builder and sailor. At Pearson Yachts he carried on the Pearson legacy by leading an in-house design team for a long line of production models at their newly built 100,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. This location was one of the most prolific boatbuilding operations of their time, providing affordable yachts to the booming market.
To this day, Pearson boats continue to sail the world's oceans and are readily available on the resale market. For a new generation of sailors it is an excellent opportunity for getting started in yacht ownership. Sadly the company closed its doors in 1991 in conjunction with a major recession in the boat building industry, and no more Pearson Yachts were produced. For more history you will find links below to interesting articles on the web.
Perhaps to you a new Pearson Yacht is the finalization of a dream, an escape, family fun afloat. Or perhaps it's a shelf full of trophies. To us, however, each Pearson Yacht is a reflection of the philosophy that there's no place in boating for anything less than the highest integrity and quality. As one of the pioneers in fiberglass sailboat construction, all the experience we have goes into every yacht that comes out of the Pearson yard. Design, construction, performance... all combine to produce a yacht that will continue to do whatever you ask of her. No one deserves less. — Pearson Yachts Inc.
Pearson History on the Web
The pearson era.
The Pearson cousins began the modern era of fiberglass production sailboats…
View details at GoodOldBoat.com »
25 Years of Pearson Yachts
It all started, naturally enough, with an idea. The year was 1955…
View original document here »
PearsonInfo.net
A wealth of information compiled by Dan Pfeiffer…
View details at dan.pfeiffer.net »
National Triton Association
"Design me a 28-footer that sleeps four" was the request….
View details at AlbergSailboats.org »
Pearson Yachts Inc.
Pearson Yachts was a manufacturer of fiberglass sailboats…
View details at WikiPedia.org »
Pearson Triton 28
The Pearson Triton’s launch at the 1959 National Boat Show in New York…
View details at BlueWaterBoats.org »
Pearson 26 by John Kretschmer
This early fin keel and spade rudder coastal cruiser makes a great first big boat…
View article at SailingMagazine.net »
Pearson 26 by Practical Sailor
When Bill Shaw in 1970 drew the lines for the Pearson 26, Pearson Yachts had been in business for 14 years…
View article at Practical-Sailor.com »
Pearson Yachts was founded in 1959 in Rhode Island…
Pearson Yachts 1958-1990
It was the 28' TRITON sailing auxiliary that put the company on the map…
View details at SailboatData.com »
The National Pearson Yachts Owners Association from the 1990's…
View old website at Archive.org »
The Pearson Current
The NPYOA archive of newsletters called The Pearson Current …
View issue archival at Archive.org »
Everett Pearson speaks at New England Triton Assocation
Let's Clear the Air:
Pearson Yachts win races, too!
They're not just for cruising. Down below you might think so. All that comfort is deceiving. But take another look topside. Notice the rakish sweep from stem to stern. The flowing lines of true racing craft. Pearson boats race. And race to win!
In the East, a Pearson Wanderer, Ariel, and Coaster swept the top three spots in Class B-2 of the famous Off Soundings Race.
On the Great Lakes, a Vanguard took Class D of the Port Huron-Mackinac Race, a Triton first place in Class C of the Trans-Erie and Interstate Races. On the western scene, Pearson performed with equally dramatic success. On Puget Sound, an Alberg 35 took top honors in the Winter Spring Series. And for the second year in a row, the Alberg 35 Adelante was first place winner at the Maple Bay, B.C. Regatta, again taking the coveted Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy.
Results like this speak for themselves!
If you have a particular idea about the kind of boat you'd like to race — and the kind of races you'd like to win — think about a Pearson yacht. Comfortable. Beautiful. Racy! And simple to acquire.
Pearson Yachts Inc. 1966
Name Your Pleasure
Pearson makes it.
Small, big or in-the-middle. The new line of Pearson Yachts has a lot of different boats to make a lot of different people happy.
Take the competitive racer who wants a fast racing craft and wants to day sail, too. The skipper who wants to compete and win in fleet and handicap racing. The family who wants to cruise with safety and comfort on an overnight or weekend. The sailor who chosses to cruise for extended periods on the open water. Different people with different needs. Calling for a different kind of boat.
Take the competitive racer who wants a fast racing craft and wants to day sail, too. The skipper who wants to compete and win in fleet and handicap racing. The family who wants to cruise with safety and comfort on an overnight or weekend. The sailor who chooses to cruise for extended periods on the open water. Different people with different needs. Calling for a different kind of boat.
Pearson builds a lot into every boat. More performance, more comfort, more safety, more quality extras. More boat for the money.
Name your pleasure.
Motor Boating/January 1968
Preference is Personal
It comes in many shapes and sizes.
Our designers recognize the motivating impulses that prompt sales. We build in comfort for cruising... speed for racing... seaworthiness for safety... lasting value for satisfaction. We cater to many tastes. Industry's broadest line of fiberglass sailboats is proof! Day-Sailers • Auxiliaries • One Designs. Choose from over fifteen designs and models. All with custom features at "production-line" costs. Easy to own with new Lease-Purchase plan. Visit your Pearson dealer soon or write: Pearson Yachts, Bristol, Rhode Island.
Pearson Yachts, Inc.
Grumman - The Reliable Source
- Boats for Sale
- Bristol Yachts
New and used Bristol Yachts for sale
- United States
- Bristol Yachts 29.9
- Bristol Yachts 35.5
- Bristol Yachts 35.5C
- Bristol Yachts 38.8
- Bristol Yachts Channel Cutter
Search for a Bristol Yachts on TheYachtMarket today. We have Bristol Yachts brokers and sellers from around the world at great prices.
History of Bristol Yachts
Founded in 1966, Bristol Yachts quickly established itself as a pioneer in the boat manufacturing industry. Based in the maritime heartland of Bristol, Rhode Island, the company was the collaborative enterprise of Clint Pearson, one of the co-founders of Pearson Yachts, another prominent name in the yachting industry. As with most endeavours, the initial focus was on a single design, the Bristol 27, but over the years, this expanded to encompass a vast range of power and sailing yachts, each exemplifying the Bedford tradition of quality and innovation.For a time, Bristol Yachts was a dominant force in the industry, with up to twenty models in their line. In the 1980s, under the stewardship of Clint and Jan Pearson, the firm notably pivoted from producing small to mid-sized sailboats to focus more on larger yachts. This period saw the introduction of the much-acclaimed Bristol 35.5, 38.8, and the 45.5 which are still revered in the community. Unfortunately, due to an array of challenging market conditions, Bristol Yachts had to cease production in 1997. However, the lasting impact of their exceptional workmanship and design continues to be appreciated by boating enthusiasts around the globe. Today, their quickly recognisable yachts still grace waters everywhere and are very much sought after in the second-hand boat market.
What types of boats do Bristol Yachts build?
Bristol Yachts manufactures a range of different types of boats. The ones listed on TheYachtMarket include Sloop .
How much does a boat from Bristol Yachts cost?
Used boats from Bristol Yachts on TheYachtMarket.com range in price from £13,800 GBP to £73,800 GBP with an average price of £33,000 GBP . A wide range of factors can affect the price of used boats from Bristol Yachts, for example the model, age and condition.
Sign up to our newsletter
By submitting this form, you agree to our Privacy & Cookie Policy
Change units of measure
This feature requires cookies to be enabled on your browser.
Show price in:
Show lengths, beam and draft in:
Show displacement or weight in:
Show capacity or volume in:
Show speed in:
Show distance in:
BRISTOL YACHT CLUB
Our history.
Bristol Yacht Club had a modest birth in 1877 when a group of Brown University students got together and formed Zephyr Boat Club "for the purpose of mutual interests and the practicing of rowing on our harbor, the principal object of the club being however to have a good time."
That same year, Zephyr Boat Club became Neptune Boat Club, and in 1899 we became Bristol Yacht Club. Our initial purpose, having a good time, has continued on for more years. We've updated this mission to "encourage and promote yachting, seamanship, aquatic sports and social activities among our members." We've had several Clubhouses in several locations around the harbor but our desire to have fun has helped us survive fires, floods, hurricanes and two world wars.
Today, Bristol Yacht Club sits on the west side of Bristol Harbor in the old Red Crest Estate. In 1955 some forward thinking members saw an opportunity, purchased the site and the rest is history.
Our facilities and active waterfront make it easy to have fun. Members actively volunteer to maintain the house, grounds and waterfront. We might host an informal clambake on the lawn one day and a formal dinner dance the next. Our competitive but friendly Wednesday race series often draws more than 40 boats on the line; we are active in the NBYA (Narragansett Bay Yachting Association), MOHOSA (Mount Hope Sailing Association), and Newport to Bermuda races.
Over the years our members have raced fleets of Herreshoff 12 1/2s, Herreshoff S boats, International 110s, Thistles, Dyer Dhows, Pearson 26s, Sea Sprites, 420s, Lasers, Optis, Mercuries and A-Cats. Our Penguin frostbite fleet is one of the oldest continuously operating frostbite fleets in the country.
Our annual cruises in and out of the Bay are perfect opportunities for developing life-long friendships. Visiting yacht clubs on their cruises find Bristol Yacht Club a convenient place to visit, as we are close to so many shore side activities, museums and restaurants.
Great choice! Your favorites are temporarily saved for this session. Sign in to save them permanently, access them on any device, and receive relevant alerts.
- Sailboat Guide
Bristol 41.1
Bristol 41.1 is a 41 ′ 2 ″ / 12.6 m monohull sailboat designed by Ted Hood and Dieter Empacher and built by Bristol Yachts between 1981 and 1994.
- 8 / 21 Miami, FL, US 1989 Bristol 41.1 $69,900 USD View
- 9 / 21 Miami, FL, US 1989 Bristol 41.1 $69,900 USD View
- 10 / 21 Miami, FL, US 1989 Bristol 41.1 $69,900 USD View
- 11 / 21 Miami, FL, US 1989 Bristol 41.1 $69,900 USD View
- 12 / 21 Miami, FL, US 1989 Bristol 41.1 $69,900 USD View
- 13 / 21 Miami, FL, US 1989 Bristol 41.1 $69,900 USD View
- 14 / 21 Miami, FL, US 1989 Bristol 41.1 $69,900 USD View
- 15 / 21 Miami, FL, US 1989 Bristol 41.1 $69,900 USD View
- 16 / 21 Miami, FL, US 1989 Bristol 41.1 $69,900 USD View
- 17 / 21 Miami, FL, US 1989 Bristol 41.1 $69,900 USD View
- 18 / 21 Miami, FL, US 1989 Bristol 41.1 $69,900 USD View
- 19 / 21 Miami, FL, US 1989 Bristol 41.1 $69,900 USD View
- 20 / 21 Miami, FL, US 1989 Bristol 41.1 $69,900 USD View
- 21 / 21 Miami, FL, US 1989 Bristol 41.1 $69,900 USD View
Rig and Sails
Auxilary power, accomodations, calculations.
The theoretical maximum speed that a displacement hull can move efficiently through the water is determined by it's waterline length and displacement. It may be unable to reach this speed if the boat is underpowered or heavily loaded, though it may exceed this speed given enough power. Read more.
Classic hull speed formula:
Hull Speed = 1.34 x √LWL
Max Speed/Length ratio = 8.26 ÷ Displacement/Length ratio .311 Hull Speed = Max Speed/Length ratio x √LWL
Sail Area / Displacement Ratio
A measure of the power of the sails relative to the weight of the boat. The higher the number, the higher the performance, but the harder the boat will be to handle. This ratio is a "non-dimensional" value that facilitates comparisons between boats of different types and sizes. Read more.
SA/D = SA ÷ (D ÷ 64) 2/3
- SA : Sail area in square feet, derived by adding the mainsail area to 100% of the foretriangle area (the lateral area above the deck between the mast and the forestay).
- D : Displacement in pounds.
Ballast / Displacement Ratio
A measure of the stability of a boat's hull that suggests how well a monohull will stand up to its sails. The ballast displacement ratio indicates how much of the weight of a boat is placed for maximum stability against capsizing and is an indicator of stiffness and resistance to capsize.
Ballast / Displacement * 100
Displacement / Length Ratio
A measure of the weight of the boat relative to it's length at the waterline. The higher a boat’s D/L ratio, the more easily it will carry a load and the more comfortable its motion will be. The lower a boat's ratio is, the less power it takes to drive the boat to its nominal hull speed or beyond. Read more.
D/L = (D ÷ 2240) ÷ (0.01 x LWL)³
- D: Displacement of the boat in pounds.
- LWL: Waterline length in feet
Comfort Ratio
This ratio assess how quickly and abruptly a boat’s hull reacts to waves in a significant seaway, these being the elements of a boat’s motion most likely to cause seasickness. Read more.
Comfort ratio = D ÷ (.65 x (.7 LWL + .3 LOA) x Beam 1.33 )
- D: Displacement of the boat in pounds
- LOA: Length overall in feet
- Beam: Width of boat at the widest point in feet
Capsize Screening Formula
This formula attempts to indicate whether a given boat might be too wide and light to readily right itself after being overturned in extreme conditions. Read more.
CSV = Beam ÷ ³√(D / 64)
From BlueWaterBoats.org :
The Bristol 41.1 is a high performance cruiser with distinctive classical styling from the board of famous naval architect Ted Hood. Launched in early 1981 by Bristol Yachts, the boat was built by some of New England’s finest craftsmen. With that kind of pedigree there is no surprise that among cruisers she has excellent reputation as a blue water boat.
When Clinton Pearson left Pearson Yachts in 1964, industry insiders probably thought his most influential work was done. How could you not considering he and his brother, Everett, had founded what was the first production fiberglass manufacturer ever with their launch of the Pearson Triton 28 . But oh were they wrong. Subsequent to his ousting, Clinton purchased the troubled sailboat-maker, Sailstar and renamed the company Bristol Yachts in 1966 after the production facility’s location on Popasquash Road, in Bristol, Rhode Island. The early Bristols were Carl Alberg designs with full keel-hung rudders, they were stout boats with an easy motion in a seaway.
The Bristol 41.1, belongs to the second generation of yachts produced by the company. Most Bristols of this era were designed by Ted Hood’s office, and the 41.1 is no exception. Dieter Empacher was the primary naval architect of the 41.1 as well as the earlier Bristol 39/40.
In total 104 hulls were built from 1981 until 1994 after which the company concentrated on custom yacht construction until closing shop in 1997. Bristol Yachts of this era are known for high performance and a superb fit and finish details.
Configuration, Layout and Construction
The boat has a simple sloop rig. Below the waterline is a relatively long cruising fin keelwith a skeg hung rudder. As with most Ted Hood designs, there’s a centerboard arrangement, to maximize windward performance (10′ board down) while allowing access to shoal draft areas (4′ 6″ board up). Her bow has a fine entry leading to powerful aft sections.
Both both aft and center cockpit options were available, the center cockpit had the generally preferred full width stateroom aft.
As for construction the Bristol 41.1 was laid up using layers of solid woven roving and polyester resin. The ballast weighting in at 10,500 pounds of lead was encapsulated inside the fiberglass keel section. On deck notable are the copious teak touchings that compose the railing, coamings, and trim and highlight her sweet style. Down below, her joinery work is a mix of teak and Honduras mahogany.
The prime attraction of these yachts are their spectacular sailing capability. These medium displacement cruisers track very well and handle heavy weather with ease. Lowering the centerboard makes a tremendous difference to windward, allowing the boat to point 10 degrees higher.
Buyers Notes
Interior layouts vary. As noted there are aft and center cockpit deck molds. The center cockpit versions have a full width stateroom aft with either split berths or a full width king. In the main saloon is an L-shaped settee opposite either swivel chairs or a straight settee. All come with a V-berth forward. Along with the 41.1, Bristol produced around 26 hulls out of the same 41.1 mold of an alternate version called the 43.3 which had interior modifications – most notably an island queen berth aft. Instead of the walkthrough galley, the 43.3 has a corner galley arrangement like on the Bristol 45.5.
Links, References and Further Reading
» Bristol Owners, Bristol 41.1 » Mitchell, Steve (Good Old Boat), Pearson Yachts History » Wikipedia, Bristol Yachts
Embed this page on your own website by copying and pasting this code.
Discover Related Sailboats
Blue Water Boats
Tayana Vancouver 42
Endeavour 42
Bristol 43.3
- About Sailboat Guide
©2024 Sea Time Tech, LLC
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Bristol Marine, Bristol Yard 41°40’36.1″N 71°17’18.3″W 99 Poppasquash Road Bristol, RI 02809 401.253.2200
The Bristol Yard
Originally established as Wardwell’s Boat Yard, our Bristol location stands as a testament to the enduring maritime heritage of this region. Now part of Bristol Marine, we continue to honor its roots while leading the way in New England’s marine industry.
As the flagship of our company, our Bristol Yard is a quintessential New England boatyard situated on an incredible harbor steeped in maritime history. Embedded in the protected northwest corner of Bristol Harbor and overlooking Narragansett Bay, the marina is adjacent to Colt State Park; easily accessible from Narragansett Bay, Cape Cod, Newport and Long Island Sound and a stone’s throw from historic downtown Bristol, RI. Preserving New England’s working waterfront with a high level of customized service, the yard is buoyed by the area’s tradition of yacht building, sailboat racing and naval architecture. Our tightly-knit, versatile and highly-skilled team handles a full range of service needs, from routine maintenance to complex projects requiring a range of skills and trades. The Bristol Yard keeps its long-term customers coming back by treating each boat as if it were our own. With massive investment in infrastructure over the years and the careful cultivation of a passionate and capable team, we have grown the Bristol Yard to become a community leader in the marine industry.
Contact the Bristol Team
SERVICES IN BRISTOL
Our skilled trades.
- PAINT, GELCOAT & FIBERGLASS
- CARPENTRY & SHIPWRIGHTS
- METAL FABRICATION
- MECHANICAL & OTHER SYSTEMS
- YARD & RIGGING
OUR SERVICES
- RESTORATION & BOAT BUILDING
- MAINTENANCE & REPAIR
- STORAGE, SLIPS & MOORINGS
OUR BRISTOL YARD FEATURES
L earn for yourself what makes set our Bristol yard apart from others in this virtual tour of our facilities :
Check out our Bristol Yard Features
- Quality service: Specializing in mechanical & systems work with Yanmar, Yamaha, Cummins and other dealerships
- Waterfront facility: quintessential New England boatyard with friendly staff and highly skilled technicians
- Slips & Moorings: Seasonal rentals and transients alike, for boats up to 65′ with brand new bathrooms and amenities
- Inland Franklin Street facility : a 2-mile drive from the boatyard, offering ample inside heated, unheated and outside storage for winter projects
- Hauling capacity: A 50-ton travel lift can haul boats up to 20′ wide and over 60′ long; 20-ton crane on site to handle masts and rigging needs
- Events: A new outdoor waterfront tent (2022), adjacent to the Bristol Yacht Club, is a great location and setting for weddings and other gatherings.
Greg Bartoszuk
Bristol general manager.
With a lifetime of working in and around boats and customers — from captaining trans-atlantic deliveries and tall ships on international educational missions, to managing private marinas — Greg Bartoszuk has always had a hand on the tiller and an eye for customer service. Greg first joined Bristol Marine in 2017 and his influence has featured heavily in the history of the Bristol yard and helped define its current iteration and customer focus.
By overseeing Infrastructure investments Greg helped upgrade the Bristol yard’s capabilities and improve the customer experience. Having previously served as GM at a corporate marina chain, Greg saw how customer service can suffer without a personal touch. “I like to talk to the customers. I want to have a more complete picture of the customer, what kind of boating they like, how their family is doing,” he explains. This customer knowledge and deep nautical know-how combine to create the best in consultative service.
With a personal relationship with every customer in the yard, Greg and his team can either answer any question they may have or get them in touch with an expert who can. “We treat these boats like ours,” he continues. “By developing this type of trust, we can ask on behalf of the owner in his best interest,” anticipating maintenance needs for a seamless season on the water.
Bristol Marine Team
By cultivating talent through year-round opportunities we have built a dedicated team of skilled employees committed to providing the best possible experience for boat owners uniquely connected to their vessels.
Having upwards of a dozen significant yachts under management it is imperative that any yard I work with have the technical ability, skilled craftsman and supervision to get my projects completed on time, within budget and without lingering issues down the line. I have been entrusting my fleet to Bristol Marine now for 15 years. Whether it be paint, metal work, mechanical or carpentry few yards are as capable, customer focused and transparent. A true testament to this is that I see the same yachts coming back year after year and more than a few decade after decade. Jim Wetherald, Allwether Marine Services
An intercontinental port in the early eighteenth century, Bristol Harbor has played a role at different times in its history in the industries of fishing, shipping, whaling and the triangle trade. Throughout the maritime history of this Rhode Island town, boat building has remained a consistent and integral aspect. The Bristol Yard currently resides on the spot where merchant Samuel Wardwell had a shipyard during the revolutionary war.
By the early 1900s, this site hosted a facility dedicated to the construction and repair of wooden boats, complete with a railway system for hauling and launching vessels. Later purchased by the esteemed boatbuilding figure and innovator Clint Pearson in 1964, it would become home to Pearson Yachts, best known for their quality yachts and as pioneers in the use of fiberglass construction in boatbuilding. Here, hundreds of Pearson-built “Bristol Yachts” — designed by some of the most prominent naval architects of the time including Halsey Herreshoff, Ted Hood and John Alden — were completed and launched in Bristol Harbor using the same railway. This historic piece of working waterfront also shares its shores with the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, renowned for designing and building some of the most well known and successful military craft and racing sailboats in American history.
When Pearson Yachts ceased operations in 1998, Bristol Marine’s founder, Andy Tyska , recognized a significant opportunity to preserve the shipyard as a maritime hub and ensure continued access to the waterfront for other marine businesses that might otherwise have been displaced. At that time, Tyska, a 27-year-old naval architect, and his business partner, Gerry Lenfest, acquired the business and transformed it into a storage yard catering to boat owners with a do-it-yourself approach. As Bristol Marine evolved to become more customer-focused, it slowly built a team capable of providing quality service to an increasingly loyal and committed group of customers. When attempts to develop the waterfront facility on Poppasquash Point were stymied, Andy and his team looked elsewhere and found opportunities for growth in downtown Bristol. With incredible persistence and investment, he and partner Nick King revitalized a once dilapidated section of downtown Bristol and turned it into an inland hub for many successful marine businesses to set up and thrive; thus helping the continuity and strength of the marine trades in Bristol.
Bristol’s downtown and harbor shoreline have evolved over the years, while retaining its feel as a classic New England seaside town. Many of the small marine businesses, docks and mills have been replaced with restaurants, condos and shops. The Herreshoff Manufacturing Company has given way to the Herreshoff Maritime Museum . However, amidst these changes, one constant remains: Bristol Marine’s unwavering dedication to revitalizing the active and functional waterfront.
Contact our Bristol Yard
" * " indicates required fields
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
- Israel-Gaza War
- War in Ukraine
- US & Canada
- UK Politics
- N. Ireland Politics
- Scotland Politics
- Wales Politics
- Latin America
- Middle East
- In Pictures
- BBC InDepth
- US Election
- Election polls
- Kamala Harris
- Donald Trump
- Executive Lounge
- Technology of Business
- Women at the Helm
- Future of Business
- Science & Health
- Artificial Intelligence
- AI v the Mind
- Film & TV
- Art & Design
- Entertainment News
- Arts in Motion
- Destinations
- Australia and Pacific
- Caribbean & Bermuda
- Central America
- North America
- South America
- World’s Table
- Culture & Experiences
- The SpeciaList
- Natural Wonders
- Weather & Science
- Climate Solutions
- Sustainable Business
- Green Living
Bristol's hidden history of forgery and tragic deaths
As you wander through the streets of Bristol, it is easy to see how it has proved the backdrop for literary icons, political figures, and many pivotal moments in history.
But how much of these stories still remain and are known to the city's dwellers?
If you have ever driven down Bristol's Redcliffe Way and marvelled at the peculiar façade of an 18th century building - it harbours a fascinating story of poverty, forgery, tragic death and medieval poetry.
Nicknamed 'Bristol’s Shakespeare', literary genius Thomas Chatterton was born in the schoolmaster's house of Pile Street School in 1752, where his late father was a writing master.
Among his father's belongings were forgotten medieval documents he had rescued from a chest in the muniment room of St Mary Redcliffe Church, which cast a large gothic shadow over their modest home from across the street.
It is thought that these ancient deeds inspired Chatterton to create his own medieval works, which he then attributed to a fictional 15th century monk named Thomas Rowley.
After these spurious documents were rejected by publishers, Chatterton left for London in April 1770 to pursue his writing career, but died just four months later from arsenic poisoning.
His tragic demise at the age of 17 cemented his legacy as a romantic figure.
"Chatterton had ample funds to buy food and cover his other expenses, so it wasn't want that took him to the grave," said Richie Fenlon, from the Thomas Chatterton Manuscript Society.
"He was self-medicating for an STD with laudanum, or a lethal mixture of Calomel and Vitriol, and suffered an unintentional overdose which resulted in his death."
Italian restaurant La Panza now occupies his old home on Redcliffe Way, nestled behind the façade of where his former school once stood.
If you're popping for an appointment at Gloucester Road Medical Centre in Horfield, odds are you've walked right alongside a set of old tram lines, which were rendered out of action by a German bomb.
Bristol was once highly regarded as a pioneering city in urban transport, with the first horse-drawn tram appearing in the city in 1875.
Two decades later, electric trams were introduced. At its peak, there were 17 routes and 237 tramcars in use across the city, with a system stretching its tendrils from Broadmead to Filton.
This was until 11 April 1941, when the Luftwaffe's Good Friday air raid snatched the system away in one foul blow.
The Bristol Blitz set the central city on fire, and a bomb dropped on St Philip's Bridge severed Bristol Tramways' entire electricity supply, which came from the generating station beside the river.
Today, all that remains of the ground-breaking network are the parallel scars it left behind in the concrete.
Charlie Revelle-Smith, author of Weird Bristol, says the city has played a "significant role in almost every major event in British history."
"Once you start peeling back the layers, you soon discover that evidence of this history is all around us.
"Suddenly, this hidden story of our past doesn’t seem so hidden anymore."
In a city renowned for its immersive street art, spotting a sculpture or two on your way to work is not unusual.
But among those you may not know of is a collection of bronze monkeys dotted around Clifton that provide a glimpse into a past day of pure chaos.
In 1934, 12 Rhesus monkeys escaped from the Monkey Temple enclosure at Bristol Zoo and wreaked havoc all over the city, with one even sneaking into a Clifton College dormitory.
Most were retrieved fairly quickly, but the final monkey was on the run for almost a week before zookeepers managed to lure him back to captivity with a trail of food.
The statues, made by Julian Warren in 2016, depict the animals in weird and wonderful positions.
You can find two perched on top of poles at the Cantock Steps, one watching passers by on Burlington Road, and another solving a Rubix cube outside Clifton Down station.
The majority of people driving along the Portway are likely to be glancing up at Bristol's pride and joy- the Clifton Suspension Bridge, while also trying to keep eyes on the road.
But if you take a second to look closer at the Avon Gorge cliffs, you'll discover the secrets carved into the limestone.
The Clifton Rocks Railway began operating in 1893, tunnelling 450ft underground to connect Clifton with the tramway and ferry station at the bottom of the hill.
During its first year, the funicular railway carried close to half a million passengers, but its popularity steadily declined until its closure in 1934.
During World War Two, the British Overseas Airways Company rented the top portion of the railway as storage space for barrage balloons that would be used throughout the conflict.
Air raid shelters were constructed below for employees and the general public, while the BBC set up camp in the lower section of the railway tunnel, in need of a secret broadcasting base that would be safe from bombings.
Over the last 19 years, a group of volunteers have been working to restore parts of the tunnel and open it as a museum for visitors.
Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook , X and Instagram . Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630 .
Museum plan for funicular railway
A city of protest: bristol’s history of resistance, hidden city stories told through virtual tour, 1930s city centre to be rebuilt in virtual reality.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
COMMENTS
Bristol Yacht Company was founded by Clinton Pearson. Clint and his cousin Everett Pearson began building fiberglass dinghies in 1955 in their garage on County Street in Seekonk, Massachusetts, just over the Massachusetts/Rhode Island state border. Within a year the newly founded Pearson Yachts employed hundreds of people. Fast corporate expansion resulted in cash flow problems, so the cousins ...
In one year 172 Bristol 27's were built. There was also the Bristol 29 designed by Halsey Herreshoff, the Bristols 32 and 39 designed by Ted Hood, and Bristol 34 designed by John Alden Assoc.. Later 'second generation' models included the 31.1, 35.5, 41.1, 45.5, 47.7 and then larger custom boats. In total, 4400 Bristol Yachts were produced ...
Bristol 43/44. 13.4 m • built since 1989. Clint Pearson launched Bristol Yachts in the fall of 1964 after he stepped out of the presidency of the Pearson Yachts, which had become a division of Grumman Allied Industries. After purchasing the assets of Sailstar Yachts, another manufacturer of small sailboats in the area, he also bought the...
Brothers Clint and Everett Pearson made their mark founding Pearson Yachts and when they sold up in the mid-1960s they formed Bristol Yachts. The first boat out of the gates was the Bristol 27, some say it's very much a copy of their earlier successful Pearson Triton 28. The Bristol 27 launched in 1966 and sold in large numbers, particularly ...
The 39 was one of the first models built by Bristol Yachts, entering production in 1966. Beginning with 1972 models, the boat was rechristened the Bristol 40. The last Bristol 40 was built in 1986. ... Bristol 39/40 Price History. Interior Bristol has always made extensive use of built-up interiors of plywood and solid wood, rather than ...
Westerbeke Diesel was an option. Available as cutter or yawl. See Bristol 39. BRISTOL 39 and 40 are nearly identical though dimensions differed slightly for all models. Production (39) 1966-1970 Number built - 58 Production (40) 1970-1986 Number built - 149 KEEL/CB VERSION - Draft: BD: 7.83'/2.38m; BU: 4.0'/1.22m YAWL RIG: I: 45.5′ J: 14.58′ […]
The 42 Offshore was the company's first venture into the powerboat market, and it enjoyed a successful production run into the 1980s. Bristol Yacht closed in 1997 after building more than 4,000 sailboats and powerboats. The 42 Offshore remains popular in the used-boat market, and prices range from less than $100,000 to as much as $170,000 ...
The popular little Bristol 24, also called the Corsair in earlier times, is a safe and solidly built pocket cruiser from the 1960s. Hundreds were built in hand-laid fiberglass by Sailstar Boat Company and later Bristol Yachts in Rhode Island with a production run that spanned 17 years. This Paul Coble design, makes for a great little coastal ...
There are presently 46 yachts for sale on YachtWorld for Bristol. This assortment encompasses 1 brand-new vessels and 45 pre-owned yachts, all of which are listed by knowledgeable boat and yacht brokers predominantly in United States, Mexico, Canada, Denmark and Grenada. YachtWorld offers a diverse array of models, showcasing a comprehensive ...
While the former Bristol Yachts company ceased production in 1997, Bristol Marine has introduced plans for a new Bristol 48.8 The Bristol 48.8 is a yacht whose hallmark is steeped in Bristol's 30 year tradition of quality craftsmanship and value. Corporate History: The Bristol Yacht Company was established by Clinton "Clint" Pearson. Clint ...
Herreshoff was born on March 18, 1848, in Bristol, Rhode Island and was named after General Nathanael Greene. [1] He was one of seven brothers. [3]He graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1870 with a three-year degree in mechanical engineering. [3] After graduation, he took a position with the Corliss Steam Engine Company in Providence, Rhode Island.
Bristol Archives Bristol's maritime records: selected sources Image: Bristol's Floating Harbour, Ref. 43207/17/5 A chronological list of archive sources on the history of the port and docks of Bristol. This list was originally compiled for educational sessions at Bristol Archives, with some additional items added since.
The Herreshoff Marine Museum, located in Bristol, Rhode Island, USA, is a maritime museum dedicated to the history of the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, yachting, and the America's Cup.
Pearson Yachts History. The Idea. The year was 1953. It started, naturally enough, with an idea. ... In true entrepreneurial spirit, Clinton left the company in 1964, bought out Sailstar and formed Bristol Yachts, who's first design was Alberg's Bristol 27. Everett left in 1966 to form Tillotson Pearson Inc. (TPI) in industrial applications and ...
Used boats from Bristol Yachts on TheYachtMarket.com range in price from £13,900 GBP to £74,300 GBP with an average price of £33,300 GBP. A wide range of factors can affect the price of used boats from Bristol Yachts, for example the model, age and condition. Used Bristol Yachts for sale from around the world.
B. Bristol Yachts. Categories: Yacht building companies. American boat builders. Defunct sailboat manufacturers. Wikipedia categories named after vehicle manufacturing companies of the United States.
OUR HISTORY. Bristol Yacht Club had a modest birth in 1877 when a group of Brown University students got together and formed Zephyr Boat Club "for the purpose of mutual interests and the practicing of rowing on our harbor, the principal object of the club being however to have a good time." That same year, Zephyr Boat Club became Neptune Boat ...
The Bristol 41.1, belongs to the second generation of yachts produced by the company. Most Bristols of this era were designed by Ted Hood's office, and the 41.1 is no exception. Dieter Empacher was the primary naval architect of the 41.1 as well as the earlier Bristol 39/40. In total 104 hulls were built from 1981 until 1994 after which the ...
This historic piece of working waterfront also shares its shores with the Herreshoff Manufacturing Company, renowned for designing and building some of the most well known and successful military craft and racing sailboats in American history. When Pearson Yachts ceased operations in 1998, Bristol Marine's founder, Andy Tyska, recognized a ...
A city of protest: Bristol's history of resistance. Hidden city stories told through virtual tour. 1930s city centre to be rebuilt in virtual reality. History. Bristol. Clifton. Social history.
19.6'' Bristol Yachts Bristol Corinthian 19 Pocasset, Massachusetts Asking $2,250. 38' Hans Christian 39 Pilot House Wilmington, North Carolina Asking $65,000. 38' Beneteau 38.1 Saint Petersburg, Florida Asking $249,000. 33.5' Hunter South Portland, Maine Asking $41,000. 30' Nonsuch Ultra 30 keyport, New Jersey
Bristol Yachts: Related Sailboats: BRISTOL 33 : Download Boat Record: Notes. A refinement of the earlier Bristol 33. ... Like the LWL, it will vary with the weights of fuel, water, stores and equipment. A boat's actual draft is usually somewhat more than the original designed or advertised draft. For boats with adjustable keels (centerboards ...
Electric Yacht. SeaWaterPro. SBD App Non-BR. top 1 ads row1. top 2 ads row2. top 3 ads row2. ... Tugsailor. Participant. I am interested in tracing the ownership history of a particular sailboat. Is there somewhere I can look to find out who has owned this boat? Can I search by HIN? Creator. Topic Viewing 2 replies - 1 through 2 (of 2 total ...
Bristol Boats was established in 1976 by the Ghia family with technology and know-how assistance from Bristol Yachts, Rhode Island, USA and subsequently Hunt Railton International Inc., USA. Since then, the company has manufactured various types and sizes of boats for both domestic and international clients. [1]