Get a good survey. They are very pretty hulls if you like long overhangs
and very short waterlines. I've been aboard several 32's that have had
spongy decks, bulkhead and water tank tabbing (under the vee berth) pulled
loose from the hull. Bristol Yachts does not have a good reputation for
quality since it went into bankruptcy on numerous occassions. It is not
unusual to see early bristols with several different brands of winches and
deck gear on the same boat. The reason is that the vendors will not ship to
bristol without prepayment. This was true even in the eighties when they
were building xx.x series designed by Deiter Empachter.

The 32 is tender so reef very early, check out the PHRF ratings and look at
the lwl ratios. If you want a Hood design that sails well, look for a "Hood
design" that was actually designed by Deiter Empachter(e.g. 41.1). You can
usually spot a Bristol 32 in a harbor because if there are 5 or 6 people in
the cockpit, the stern is way down, the bow is way up, and everyone had wet
feet since the cockpit scuppers are submerged.

They are a pretty "classic" vessel, but you can but a better boat for the
money. Just my opinion.



"bb" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 30 Sep 2005 01:27:06 GMT, Don White
wrote:

Now our skipper is getting me interested.
Here's the latest sailboat he's interested in... a 1966 Bristol 32.
I'd appreciate any comments from those familiar with this model.
http://tinyurl.com/7rlj4

thanks again for all who have offered comments on the Hughes 36 and the
Cal 34


Rock solid old boat. Ted Hood design if I'm not mistaken. Great full
keel cruiser but very small interior. Narrow beam, lot's of overhang,
a mans boat. Built before women were brought along and started
insisting on silly things like comfort or storage. Certainly the
smallest of the three boats you've mentioned, and the best built. The
Bristol will definitely have the classic appeal over the other two. I
didn't see your post about the Hughes 36 but if that was the old
Columbia 10.7 that's a damned nice boat also, and a lot roomier. The
Cal 34 would make the best "round the buoy" boat, but it's not in the
class of the other two as far as construction goes.

bb