Bristol condition

[madhatter1]

What is it. Must vary for vintage or maybe not. Point of the thread is I’m on a mission. I was very lucky to buy a great boat from a member on this site. Mechanically near perfect. Low true hours on 650 HP 8-92’s that I baby at 1800 RPM.

I have a fantastic Detailer that every time out they compound or polish something new. Boat looks better than when I bought it. Most common compliment is she looks well cared for. Interior is very nice. Added teak and holly sole. Perfect for me.

Now the clean but needs attention before too late engine room is next. Found a ER detailer/painter who is quite detail oriented but very reasonably priced. After some mechanical work going to lift hatches and let these guys go to town. Entire ER and engines will have all corrosion addressed and then be painted new. Turbo housings that were replaced but are bare will be painted.

Then once a year they will be on board to paint or touch up any new blemishes or repair areas.

Don’t know if I can get up to RClarksons standards but giving it a go. Best part is besides the beautiful ER is being able to spot one black drop of oil or one red drop of fuel before it becomes a mess.

 

[rsmith]

Only if you don’t run the boat. I’ve had the boat behind the house for over 30 years now. Thought I’d get all those jobs done I couldn’t do in the marinas. But it only got worse. If it became a choice of fishing offshore or working on the boat fishing always won out. But in 2002 I rebuilt both engines. I was determined no more spray bomb paint jobs. I even fished the oil pans out of the bilge. Most people slide them to the sides to pull the caps and foll the bearings in. Everything was bead blasted stripped and painted with Awlgrip. The break-in trip was 25 days fishing 12-15 hour a day out of Marsh harbor. We released 17 blue marlin that trip. It would have been 2-3 times that but my son was hot on seeing how many we could catch on his fly rod setup. 7 of the fish in the 150-200 lb range we’re on the fly. When we pulled into FtPierce inlet some 6 weeks later the tachs had over 500 hours on the rebuilts. Monday morning before I went to work I jumped in the ER to check the shaft logs and looked around at the mess. All that painstaking detail work looked as bad as before. I’ve got 7500 hours since then and I’ve gone back to spray bombs.

 

[Freeebird]

If you wear a white sailor suit, spotless ER’s are pretty much a must. Like Scott said, it’s easy to keep something spotless if you never use it. I suppose it boils down to priorities and the amount of time and money you have.

 

[cww]

It has been my experience that 'bristol' equals "looks great cause it never left the dock." Those are the most problematic boats I've owned. As soon as you start using it the engines, generator, a/c's, and heads will be a headache. The best boats I've had are the ones that were regularly and recently used. Something that's 10+ years old with 100 hours on it probably looks perfect and will likely make it through a short seatrial for a survey, then fall apart as soon as you leave the dock.

 

[SeaEric]

"Bristol Condition" is sortof like pornography. I can't really define it - but I know it when I see it.

 

[Freeebird]

"Bristol Condition" is sortof like pornography. I can't really define it - but I know it when I see it.

That gave me mental images that I can’t explain, and it’s not out of fear for violating community standards.

 

[cww]

"Bristol Condition" is sortof like pornography. I can't really define it - but I know it when I see it.

What about when it's both like captain stabbin'? LOL

 

[madhatter1]

Well the boat is certainly no dock queen. Average 100 hours a year or so. Occasional long trip, plenty of "local" trips (Tarpon Springs, Clearwater, St Pete, Bradenton), and a lot of short trips to our local pass (Johns pass) to anchor out for the day or overnight. Generator is piling up a lot of hours. The pass is far enough to get the engines up to temp under a normal load. Like I said in another thread out in the Gulf we are planed off cruising 19-20 kts. What I plan to do is bring the condition up and then maintain once a year or after mechanical work for touch ups. I'm good for 2 cleanings a year DIY and always check and change the diapers. I let the 34 go so far south I am disappointed in myself. In 98 the ER was brand new. Sure wear and tear and blemishes over time but I really let it go. Will not happen again.

 

[SeaEric]

That gave me mental images that I can’t explain, and it’s not out of fear for violating community standards.

Seek help.

 

[Freeebird]

Seek help.

With what and from whom?

You’re the one who… never mind.

 

[SeaEric]

You may perhaps be too young to have recognized my abscure reference: In his concurring opinion in the 1964 Jacobellis v. Ohio case, Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart delivered what has become the most well-known line related to the detection of “hard-core” pornography: the infamous “I know it when I see it.” statement.

 

[Freeebird]

Well, I'm 64, but to paraphrase my good fried, Forrest Gump, I may not be a smart man, but I know what porn is.

Up until this thread, i thought I knew what bristol was too. Not only are those ER floors clean enough to eat off of... never mind.

 

[Freeebird]

I know, let's ask the guy in the pop-up ad! LOL

 

[Eddieclemons]

Reference - A phrase meaning in good and seamanlike order with reference to the condition of a ship. The expression had its origin when Bristol was the major west coast port of Britain at a time when all its shipping was maintained in good order.

 

[Freeebird]

No fair Googling...

My definition, in the same or better shape than when it left the factory.

 

[madhatter1]

I’ll split the difference with both youse guys. Hard to be better than new but new looking and serviceable is what I am going for. And then maintained that way. And like porn there is something for everyone!

 

[worldsaway]

What is it. Must vary for vintage or maybe not. Point of the thread is I’m on a mission. I was very lucky to buy a great boat from a member on this site. Mechanically near perfect. Low true hours on 650 HP 8-92’s that I baby at 1800 RPM.

I have a fantastic Detailer that every time out they compound or polish something new. Boat looks better than when I bought it. Most common compliment is she looks well cared for. Interior is very nice. Added teak and holly sole. Perfect for me.

Now the clean but needs attention before too late engine room is next. Found a ER detailer/painter who is quite detail oriented but very reasonably priced. After some mechanical work going to lift hatches and let these guys go to town. Entire ER and engines will have all corrosion addressed and then be painted new. Turbo housings that were replaced but are bare will be painted.

Then once a year they will be on board to paint or touch up any new blemishes or repair areas.

Don’t know if I can get up to RClarksons standards but giving it a go. Best part is besides the beautiful ER is being able to spot one black drop of oil or one red drop of fuel before it becomes a mess.

Do you mine sharing who you plan to use for your engine room detail? My ER needs some attention ( My back doesn't let me crawl,around down there like I used to) and the guy I had planned to use went mia on me. I have a couple of Engine projects scheduled to get completed first and then want to get ER back in order.

Thanks

 

[jim rosenthal]

Bristol condition means "looks like Clarkson's"

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Bristol condition means "looks like Clarkson's"

No, Bristol means 'never seen salt water'

 

[madhatter1]

No, Bristol means 'never seen salt water'

Respectfully disagree. Having been exposed to salt water and maintained accordingly. I have motocross bikes exposed to mud, dust, scrapes, and crashes in “ Bristol” condition ( mostly, being honest here). Mechanically perfect and an Arsenal of spare parts to to fix anything that goes wrong on an outing. Including clutches and top ends. Would take an awful lot to ruin our day.
Mud, sweat, and gears or salt water, keep it all good and have contingency plans. Like posted above clean and serviceable is what I am going for. Leaning towards pristine as a personal option.when the time comes I will provide plenty of before, during, and after pix.