Bristol Skiffs

Mike- Sorry, no experience on the Bristol but thought it was interesting that an ad I just saw showing a Bristol on a trailer seemed to show quite a subststantialrocker, or aft hull wedge, built in to add buoyancy to the stern and help keep the bow down. The Holby Bristol brochure also shows the hull to have a rather flat bottom right close to the bow, so I'd think that might be an issue in a chop.

Have you read this comparison (perhaps a bit biased on that site but also perhaps valid comments?) http://nantucketskiff.ning.com/forum/topics/nantucket-skiff-reviews
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rK-rXVAVWvU Nice looking. I've seen a couple but never road in them. As Sandy said, the flat bottom would tend to make it pound in a chop I would think. I guess they're more designed for stability at rest. For like for pulling pots or stand up fishing.

Personally, if ride quality in a chop was a point of interest, I would look at Pangas. Or a small cat like a Twin Vee. Were you could get both at rest stability and a nice ride in a chop.

"Boat Reviews By Owners

2002 -- 17' 2" HOLBY

Model: Bristol Skiff

Cockpit: The combination of molded in flotation seats down sides, covered storage for fuel and battery across stern, and anchor well at bow means good seating for family. Seats have molded in non-skid for easy boarding or putting a foot up to retrieve a fish. Console is off center for easy walk around on port side.

Cabin: None. I suggest getting the optional bow compartment for storing life jackets and other items. Along with cooler seat, console, and stern there is sufficient storage. No rod storage included, but can be easily added to front of console.

Construction: Built using a vacuum bagged SCRIMP process and Klegecell core, which results in a very strong and light hull. Foam injected under floor and seats. Mahogany wood trim shows off nicely against colored hulls.

Handling: This seaworthy light and narrow hull allows great performance with a small engine. Surprisingly smooth for a flat bottom boat. Rides a little bow high, typical of a flat bottom skiff. High bow and sides keep you dry and kids safe. Handles nicely all around.

Engine Room: 40 HP Honda 4 stroke. Max of 32 MPH with 2 adults. Wonderful part is that it planes around 6 MPH and stays very quiet and smooth up to 18 MPH. Little transition from planing back to displacement. Goes all day with 6-1/2 gallon tank and room for additional portable tank under center stern cover.

General Comments: Great combination for family cruising and fishing. Loaded trailer weighs less than 1300 pounds, so it's easily towed by a car or mini-SUV. I get comments about how pretty the boat is every time I take her out! If you want high speed keep looking, but if you want something different that runs efficiently and quietly at moderate speeds this is a great boat."
 
Most people wouldn't even know what a yellow wire is for. And you can't be in non-compliance with a recommendation. So I wouldn't sweat it. Or just change it if it bothers you. :-)

Getting rid of the Cetol shouldn't be that big a deal on the rails.

As to the varnish, why so high a dilution on the final coats?
 
Because I am certifiably nuts. I'm a -tiny- bit obsessive compulsive when it comes to my boats. I do not believe in the notion of 'good enough'. The best Engineers I've worked with were not only technically proficient, but very patient and detail-oriented - basically, on the same page.

I like to step on the last few coats not just for the flow, but because it cuts WAY down on the 'tackiness', leaving less dust and contamination issues. You know that one stray piece of dust, or hair, or whatever, that seems drawn like a magnet to what you thought was your final coat? That tiny little piece of something that makes you give up for the night? Stepping on the first few coats is a given, as is building them up, but in the absence of a downdraft booth, stepping on those last few coats can save a lot of frustration, not to mention labor hours when that bug or piece of dust or strand of hair draws itself across the yard to land on that caprail as it cures.
 
Hmm, never tried the heavily thinned thing on the final coats. In the south out in the heat it can flash and dull out if the final coats are thinned out to much.

As to stuff getting into the "final" coat, when that happens, I just take a deep breath and chant, "It's never the last coat, it's never the last coat, it's never...."

I use to use that a lot during "Love Bug" season in Florida.
 
I took a demo ride at the Newport boat show and have also toured the factory. Neat little boats for a protected bay area. The day of the demo there was not that much of a chop, but I will say I was expecting more of a pounding than I got from my perception of the flat bottom.

As they are locally built, call the factory with your concerns and I bet they will invite you in for a visit.
 
isnt' there one of those skiff on a trailer at Brant point marine? i've seen a good looking boat there abotu 18 or 20...

cetol is no big deal... i sinned and used Cetol a couple of years ago on my rails, i sanded it off and used Bristol instead before coming up. will finish it this week along with the teak furniture on the aft deck.

as to the yellow vs black DC, i woudn't loose sleep over it. most boats out there have black DC neg wires anyway...

so you're upgrading your mean fishing machine? :)
 
Might have been one. Brant Point Marine was a dealer, but they're also a Roth Bilt dealer - they've had a blue Roth Bilt sitting out front for the last couple years. I'm a bit OCD with my boats - even the inflatable's outboard, beneath the scratched up cowling lies an impeccably clean and shiny and perfectly tuned motor. That's why its taking so long to finish the new transom - I refuse to glue if it's too warm or humid. Almost done, though.

Besides, wherever there's small 'issues' on a boat, it's almost always indicative of larger issues. More importantly, it shows the manner in which things have been done on the boat.

I have to upgrade. My wife thinks there's really not enough room on the 11' Avon for more than me and the dog. And that's one of the reasons I love it. Seems she caught on, though.
 
Originally posted by November Charlie

Sandy -
The hull itself doesn't have much of a rocker aft, but it does have two serious skegs that give that impression. "

Sorry, my mistake & that makes more sense to have the tracking skegs. Since you mentioned them I think recall seeing them at boat shows & know exactly what they are.

I'm afraid you would want to be any where near my boat, as I have to admit to using Cetol (not the orange type)on my swim platform teak inserts and cockpit steps. Epifane is really wonderful stuff but a scosh too foo-foo for my boat that gets abused rec fishing on practically a daily basis. Next time I get back over there to the Other Island , no worries, I'll try to temporarily cover up the Cetol with something nice like duct tape if I can find it in Nantucket brick red. :D
Click to expand...
 
Mike-

These are nice boats, I believe that their origin or design goes back to Mark Ellis who had designed some of the Legacy yachts boats before they went under and were absorbed by Tartan.

I have seen several adds lately where the hulls for these boats are for sale, so i would say that as a company, Holby is done. I think he is making composite basement doors (like the metal "Bilco" ones)

I remember really liking these boats when I had a chance to see them at the Newport show, with the exception of the seating. I believe that Todd brand leaning post was standard, with a roto-molded main body. It just seamed cheap on a nearly $40,000 20' center console.

I spoke to a dealer in MD about one that he has up for sale on yachtworld. Its a nice boat, and was specially made for the owner (the dealer) Its different from the run of the mill Pilot 20 in that it has a bracket instead of a cut transome with a well.

I have also owned several Maritimes, and although they are a differnt class of boat than the Pilot, I would highly recommend one for someone looking for a no nonsense inshore light tackle fishing rig.

On the Cetol thing, I had similar feelings myself. I always used epiphanes on my teak toe rail and hated how Orange the Cetol product looked. When I purchased my latest boat, the only exterior wood were teak cavering boards to port and starboard of the cockpit. The previous owner kept the boat in FL and had a maintanence company take care of the britework with Cetol. I sanded it down to bare teak and applied four coats of "teak" colored cetol and a couple coats of cetol "clear" product. It has about 85% of the truely varnished look, but it applies really easy and wears nicely. I just recoated it a few weeks ago by roughing it with a 3M green pad and a new coat on a hot day in direct sunlight, and it came out good.

Dan
 
Cetol does apply easy, but that orange hue makes me think of that fake tanning stuff for boats.

I had been looking at the Maritimes, but the price on them has just skyrocketed over the last few years, and there aren't many used ones with outboards worth giving a second glance. Don't want any old motor headaches, and my wife insists the next boat will NOT be a play with it for a few years and sell it for another project boat. Adamant it will be a ready-to-go boat. I put in an offer on the Bristol, hopefully I'll hear back tomorrow.
 
Good choice, hope it work out well for you.

I will try to post some pics of the cetol, I think you would be surprised at the outcome with the new style. Its dowes not have any of the old orange hue.
 
Well, she talked me into it. Take delivery early next week. First time I've bought a boat without a concrete plan for how I'll come out ahead when I sell it a year or two down the road. This one's (intended) to be a keeper. It's going to be very hard to wait until the end of the season to take care of what I want to!
 
That's GREAT Mike! Enjoy her, love her and care for her. Keep her for a long time!
 
Congratulations, Mike. Consider yourserself the virtual recipient of the obligatory new-yot gift of a jar of Grey Poupon!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top