The Bristol29 Forum

Hey Dave,

     I hope you don't mind an Irwin owner joining up! I'd be lost without the Bristol29 website, and all your expertice. Still hard at work on the "Ole Citation" that sits right outside the garage! The forum will be great! now I can bug your guys with all kinds of questions, if you'll let me..

Greg

Greg,

You're most welcome here. Feel free to update us and post pictures as you go along.

Dave,
 
Great info on the mast head...You alway have something interesting to read....Gotta check mine out in the morning!  Like you afternoon rains here so can't work on the deck hatch combings. I decided if it showers this weekend ill probably sand some on the bottom, or dig the hole so I can get the rudder out.
 
see ya
Greg

Let's hope for some dry weather, Greg.

Dear David,

I want to thank you for your site and now this forum. I am with a non-profit using seamanship training among at-risk youth in the out-islands of the Bahamas. Last year we bought a '69 B29 to restore with the boys, and use in our program. We have re-rigged it, and we are involved in a host of other restoration projects. I am thrilled to be able to have a forum specifically for the B29.

Sincerely,
Reuben

Hi Reuben,

Welcome aboard! I'm pleased to hear of your interest in the B29 and think what a great thing to do for at risk youth! Where in the Bahamas is the program located? Please post pictures of your projects and if you will let me know more details of your Bristol 29 I would like to add the information to my bristol website as well. I try to document every B29 that I can find.

Fair winds and best wishes,

David

David,

Thank you for the welcome aboard. We are located on Long Island in the settlement of Salt Pond. This is the island south of George Town in Great Exuma--cruising mecca of the Bahamas.

 I have 9 high school aged boys in our program. We have been developing the seamanship program that is working toward the guys getting a Bahamian B class captain's license while developing character at the same time.

Our organization bought the '69 Bristol 29 "Saltair" from a local guy who had bought it some 12 years ago and left her on the hard to deteriorate badly. The hull is sound with no blisters, but she needs a lot of work. The boys have been involved in the refit so that they will be able to get some invaluable yacht work experience (more vocational skills). Also we will know the boat inside out for when we're using it for sail training and inter-island exploration.

The rig had been blown down in a hurricane, and we have been rebuilding it with 1/4" 1x19 and Hi-mod fittings. We bought all the hardware and wire rope from riggingonly.com--very good compnay. We developed a mast stepping system and stepped the mast by hand.

the engine is an individually marinized Kubota z600 tractor engine-- which i am thrilled about.

We don't have a lot of ready resources here so a lot of the restoration has to be done with a lot of inginuity and assistance from local friends.

I have tons of comments and questions so again, I am thrilled to be part of this forum .

Reuben

Reuben,

Please let me know however I can help. It sounds like a wonderful thing you are doing. 

All the best,

David

Reuben,

Please see the private message I sent you.

David