For years I've noticed that yachts for sale which are
in very good shape are often described as being in
"Bristol" condition. Why "Bristol?"

Does the English city of Bristol have some significance
in yachting with implications of a vessel's being in
first-class condition? If so, what's the story behind
that?



Geoff

--
"I imagine that anyone having a nooner with Madonna
would have to occasionally open the door to the
phone booth to let some fresh air in." -- Strayhorn

On Sat, 27 Dec 2008 02:05:19 -0600, (Geoff Miller)
wrote:



For years I've noticed that yachts for sale which are
in very good shape are often described as being in
"Bristol" condition. Why "Bristol?"

Does the English city of Bristol have some significance
in yachting with implications of a vessel's being in
first-class condition? If so, what's the story behind
that?



Geoff

It is actually "Ship shape and Bristol fashion". there seem to be a
number of explanations for the term but it certainly has been in use
for more then a hundred years as it is mentioned in "Two Years Before
the Mast", printed in 1840. The meaning apparently has always meant in
top notch condition. (and I don't know where that term originated :-)

Cheers,

Bruce
(bruceinbangkokatgmaildotcom)

Bruce In Bangkok wrote:
On Sat, 27 Dec 2008 02:05:19 -0600, (Geoff Miller)
wrote:



For years I've noticed that yachts for sale which are
in very good shape are often described as being in
"Bristol" condition. Why "Bristol?"

Does the English city of Bristol have some significance
in yachting with implications of a vessel's being in
first-class condition? If so, what's the story behind
that?



Geoff


It is actually "Ship shape and Bristol fashion". there seem to be a
number of explanations for the term but it certainly has been in use
for more then a hundred years as it is mentioned in "Two Years Before
the Mast", printed in 1840. The meaning apparently has always meant in
top notch condition. (and I don't know where that term originated :-)

Cheers,

Bruce
(bruceinbangkokatgmaildotcom)


http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/s...20fashion.html

http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_b...sages/721.html

(Geoff Miller) wrote in
:

Does the English city of Bristol have some significance
in yachting with implications of a vessel's being in
first-class condition? If so, what's the story behind
that?



I read the references in the other answers. I doubt anyone in the yacht
sales business knows anything about Bristowe and the history behind the
use of it.

All they know is if you put Bristol in the ad, it sells better. That's
enough for them, even if it's a lie. Being a nebulous term with no real
meaning, it probably can't be used against them at the court hearing,
either.

Plaintiff - "He said it was in Bristol condition!"

Judge - "Bristol? What the hell does that mean??!"

See my point? Case dismissed.

"Larry" wrote in message
...
(Geoff Miller) wrote in
:

Does the English city of Bristol have some significance
in yachting with implications of a vessel's being in
first-class condition? If so, what's the story behind
that?



I read the references in the other answers. I doubt anyone in the yacht
sales business knows anything about Bristowe and the history behind the
use of it.

All they know is if you put Bristol in the ad, it sells better. That's
enough for them, even if it's a lie. Being a nebulous term with no real
meaning, it probably can't be used against them at the court hearing,
either.

Plaintiff - "He said it was in Bristol condition!"

Judge - "Bristol? What the hell does that mean??!"

See my point? Case dismissed.


At least one surveyor would agree withi this accessment:

http://www.yachtsurvey.com/SurveyGuide.htm

"Summaries are generally not necessary but can be useful particularly for
sizing up vessels that are in particularly good condition or are otherwise
unique or out of the ordinary. The use of superlatives such as excellent,
A-1, first class or Bristol condition should be avoided unless accompanied
by a description or facts supporting such superlatives. There is no
universal agreement on what these terms mean so that their use should be
justified."

On Dec 27, 12:05*am, (Geoff Miller) wrote:
For years I've noticed that yachts for sale which are
in very good shape are often described as being in
"Bristol" condition. *Why "Bristol?" *

Does the English city of Bristol have some significance
in yachting with implications of a vessel's being in
first-class condition? *If so, what's the story behind
that?

Geoff

--
"I imagine that anyone having a nooner with Madonna
*would have to occasionally open the door to the
*phone booth to let some fresh air in." -- Strayhorn

way i heard it is the term refers to the condition of ships from the
ship yards of that port. meaning every thing was tight, rigged
correctly, in good repair, all the stuff needed was stowed where it
was ment to be, and ready to sail.

On Sat, 27 Dec 2008 02:05:19 -0600, (Geoff Miller)
wrote:



For years I've noticed that yachts for sale which are
in very good shape are often described as being in
"Bristol" condition. Why "Bristol?"

Does the English city of Bristol have some significance
in yachting with implications of a vessel's being in
first-class condition? If so, what's the story behind
that?



Geoff

Once upon a time....
A ridiculously small country enforced its control on most countries
of any size in the world. It used its Navy for this specific purpose.
When the cry went out: "Send a gunboat" the ship likely departed from
Bristol, which was an important Admiralty center. The shipbuilders at
Bristol were influenced by the Admiralty to provide excellent ships
and equipment. Bristol was part of the South-west which had something
of a culture of excellence: as an example, the Great Western Railway
had semaphore signals which did not dip to pass traffic, but ROSE, so
that any failure along the wire/rod transmission would result in a
semaphore failing to the Stop position. They went on to utilize
automatic train control, etc., etc.

BrianW

"Geoff Miller" wrote in message
...


For years I've noticed that yachts for sale which are
in very good shape are often described as being in
"Bristol" condition. Why "Bristol?"

Does the English city of Bristol have some significance
in yachting with implications of a vessel's being in
first-class condition? If so, what's the story behind
that?



Geoff,

First off allow me to apologize for all the uninformed guesses as to the
origin of the term "Bristol fashion."

It's got nothing to do with anything so far suggested. Believe it or not it
has to do with woman's breasts.

http://www.peevish.co.uk/slang/b.htm scroll down to "bristols"

Ship shape and bristol fashion refers to a ship at anchor or docked that is
all stowed away and battened down as it should be like breasts in a properly
tied corset.

http://i2.iofferphoto.com/img/115000...12444281/1.jpg

Note the similarity to many classic figureheads.

Wilbur Hubbard

On Sat, 27 Dec 2008 15:11:05 -0500, WaIIy wrote:

Your posts are full of baba, but kind of fun to read.

Good grief, don't encourage him.

Has anyone actually laid eyes on WH's pitiful craft?
No breasts, no corsets and sure as hell not "Bristol Fashion".
How funny that he aimlessly wanders the docks seeking anything
to either dream about or, in desparation, criticize.
Sad, so sad.............NOT!!!