Bristol 29.9

Bristol 29.9

Development
Designer	Halsey Chase Herreshoff
Location	United States
Year	1977
No. built	216
Builder(s)	Bristol Yachts
Name	Bristol 29.9
Boat
Boat weight	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)

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]}

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]

The design has a PHRF racing average handicap of 193. ^[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

• List of sailing boat types

Similar sailboats

• Alberg 30
• Alberg Odyssey 30
• Annie 30
• Aloha 30
• Bahama 30
• C&C 30
• Catalina 30
• Catalina 309
• CS 30
• Grampian 30
• Hunter 30
• Hunter 30T
• Hunter 30-2
• Hunter 306
• Leigh 30
• Mirage 30
• Mirage 30 SX
• Nonsuch 30
• O'Day 30
• Pearson 303
• Redwing 30
• S2 9.2
• Seafarer 30
• Southern Cross 28

References

1. McArthur, Bruce (2022). "Bristol 29.9 sailboat specifications and details". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 10 April 2022. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
2. McArthur, Bruce (2022). "Halsey Herreshoff". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 19 January 2021. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
3. 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
4. McArthur, Bruce (2022). "Bristol Yachts". sailboatdata.com. Archived from the original on 19 January 2021. Retrieved 10 April 2022.
5. Larson, Karen (July 2005). "Bristol" (PDF). Good Old Boat magazine. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 October 2016. Retrieved 29 April 2019.
6. Hornor, Jack (27 March 2017). "The Bristol 29.9 Boat Review". Spinsheet. Archived from the original on 29 April 2019. Retrieved 29 April 2019.