Bristol 29.9
The Bristol 29.9 is an American sailboat that was designed by Halsey Chase Herreshoff as a Midget Offshore Racing Class and International Offshore Rule racer and first built in 1977.[1][2][3]
| Development | |
|---|---|
| Designer | Halsey Chase Herreshoff |
| Location | United States |
| Year | 1977 |
| No. built | 216 |
| Builder(s) | Bristol Yachts |
| Name | Bristol 29.9 |
| Boat | |
| Displacement | 8,650 lb (3,924 kg) |
| Draft | 4.33 ft (1.32 m) |
| Hull | |
| Type | Monohull |
| Construction | Fiberglass |
| LOA | 29.92 ft (9.12 m) |
| LWL | 24.00 ft (7.32 m) |
| Beam | 10.17 ft (3.10 m) |
| Engine type | Universal Atomic 4 15 hp (11 kW) gasoline engine |
| Hull appendages | |
| Keel/board type | fin keel |
| Ballast | 3,600 lb (1,633 kg) |
| Rudder(s) | skeg-mounted rudder |
| Rig | |
| Rig type | Bermuda rig |
| I foretriangle height | 37.50 ft (11.43 m) |
| J foretriangle base | 11.25 ft (3.43 m) |
| P mainsail luff | 32.00 ft (9.75 m) |
| E mainsail foot | 11.25 ft (3.43 m) |
| Sails | |
| Sailplan | Masthead sloop |
| Mainsail area | 180.00 sq ft (16.723 m2) |
| Jib/genoa area | 210.94 sq ft (19.597 m2) |
| Total sail area | 390.94 sq ft (36.320 m2) |
| Racing | |
| Class association | MORC |
| PHRF | 193 (average) |
Production
The design was built between 1977 and 1986 by Bristol Yachts in Bristol, Rhode Island, United States, but it is now out of production. Total production was 216 examples.[1][3][4]
Design
The Bristol 29.9 is a recreational keelboat, built predominantly of fiberglass, with wood trim. It has a masthead sloop rig, a spooned raked stem, a vertical transom, a skeg-mounted rudder controlled by a wheel and a fixed fin keel or optionally, a stub keel and centerboard. It displaces 8,650 lb (3,924 kg) and carries 3,600 lb (1,633 kg) of lead ballast.[1][3]
The keel-equipped version of the boat has a draft of 4.33 ft (1.32 m), while the centerboard-equipped version has a draft of 7.5 ft (2.3 m) with the centerboard extended and 3.5 ft (1.1 m) with it retracted.[1]
A taller rig for use in areas with lighter winds was an option. The tall mast was about 2.5 ft (0.76 m) taller than standard.[1]
The design was initially fitted with a Universal Atomic 4 gasoline engine, but this was replaced in production by a Yanmar diesel engine of 15 hp (11 kW). Later a Universal diesel engine of 16 hp (12 kW) was used. The fuel tank holds 18 U.S. gallons (68 L; 15 imp gal) and the fresh water tank has a capacity of 63 U.S. gallons (240 L; 52 imp gal).[1]
The boat had two factory cabin layouts that were available, differing in the galley location. Both galley layouts have a stainless steel sink and a two-burner stove. The head has a privacy door and is located forward, just aft of the bow "V"-berth. Additional sleeping space is provided by the dinette settee, a second settee and an aft berth, for a total sleeping accommodation for six people. Interior wood trim is mahogany while the cabin sole is teak.[3]
Ventilation is provided by a scoop-type ventilator forward of the mast, a skylight hatch over the cabin table and a second hatch above the forward cabin. There are ten cabin ports.[3]
The boat has jiffy reefing genoa tracks and four cockpit winches. The mainsheet traveler is mounted on the cabin top.[3]
Operational history
In a 2005 review in Good Old Boat magazine, writer Karen Larson, described the design, "the 29.9 was designed to race under the International Off-shore Rule (IOR) and Midget Ocean Racing Club (MORC) rules, but people soon realized that it made a better cruiser than racer. At 29 feet 11 inches with a 10-foot 2-inch beam and displacing 8,650 pounds with 3,600 pounds of ballast, it was called “less-than-sprightly” by Practical Sailor."[5]
Jack Hornor, reviewing the design in 2017, in The Spinsheet, noted, "owners report a well mannered boat and general satisfaction with her speed and performance. There is a large rudder that provides a responsive helm and a good sized skeg forward of the rudder for good directional control and to aid in keeping those pesky crab pots off the propeller. I would expect that, with a ballast/displacement ratio of 42%, a relatively wide beam of 10’ 2" and a conservative sail/displacement ratio of 14.8, this is a boat that would stand up to a blow quite well. On the other hand, we sail here on the Chesapeake where summertime winds are often light. I would think a good light air number one genoa would be essential equipment around here."[6]
See also
Similar sailboats
References
- McArthur, Bruce (2022). "Bristol 29.9 sailboat specifications and details". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 10 April 2022. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
- McArthur, Bruce (2022). "Halsey Herreshoff". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 19 January 2021. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
- Sherwood, Richard M.: A Field Guide to Sailboats of North America, Second Edition, pages 212-213. Houghton Mifflin Company, 1994. ISBN 0-395-65239-1
- McArthur, Bruce (2022). "Bristol Yachts". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 19 January 2021. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
- Larson, Karen (July 2005). "Bristol" (PDF). Good Old Boat magazine. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 October 2016. Retrieved 29 April 2019.
- Hornor, Jack (27 March 2017). "The Bristol 29.9 Boat Review". Spinsheet. Archived from the original on 29 April 2019. Retrieved 29 April 2019.