The 29.9 belongs to Bristol’s second-generation, fin-keel era. Herreshoff, grandson of the legendary Nathanael Herreshoff, drew a moderate hull with a fine entry, long waterline, and reverse transom—a purposeful rather than stylized shape.
Design and Construction
The Bristol 29.9 is a 29-foot-11-inch masthead sloop with a 24-foot waterline, a 10-foot-2-inch beam, and an 8,650-pound displacement. Its ballast ratio is 42 percent. The boat has a 42 percent ballast ratio and was built in the USA by Bristol Yachts.
Structurally, the 29.9 stands out for Bristol’s disciplined use of solid laminate and visible structural members. The hull is laid up in solid fiberglass and resin, with no coring below the waterline. The decks have a balsa core for strength, rigidity, and weight reduction.
The hull and deck are joined on an inward hull flange, fastened with closely spaced stainless steel nuts, bolts, and washers. Full and partial bulkheads stiffen the hull and are neatly and securely fiberglassed in place.
Bristol made little use of molded fiberglass liner in the 29.9, so most attachments and structural members remain visible—an important advantage for buyers who value easy inspection. The rudder is fiberglass, with a stainless steel shaft and fittings. It hangs on a substantial skeg that provides directional steadiness and shields the propeller from crab pots and debris.
Rig, Keels, and Handling
The 29.9 carries a masthead sloop rig with aluminum spars and stainless steel standing rigging. Its deck-stepped mast sits on a compression post and has single spreaders and an internal halyard system. The boom is fitted with an outhaul, reefing lines, and a topping lift. Jiffy-reefing genoa tracks and four cockpit winches keep sail handling close to the wheel.
A large, skeg-mounted rudder controlled through a pedestal wheel gives the boat a responsive helm. Owners report a well-mannered boat and general satisfaction with its speed and performance. The conservative sail-area-to-displacement ratio of 14.8 keeps the boat honest rather than racy, while a displacement-length ratio of 279 places it firmly in the heavy, comfortable camp.
Bristol offered two keel configurations. The lead fin keel draws 4 feet 4 inches. The alternative is a stub keel with a fiberglass centerboard operated by a cockpit winch; draft is 3 feet 6 inches with the board up and 7 feet 6 inches with it extended.
Accommodations
Below, the 29.9 sleeps up to six in a traditional arrangement: V-berths forward, an athwartship head, opposing settees in the main saloon, and a quarter berth and galley aft.
Bristol offered two factory layouts, differing mainly in galley placement. One puts the galley to port, opposite a dinette settee that converts to a double berth. The other places it aft to starboard, beside the navigation station and quarter berth.
The cabin has ten ports, four of which open. The boat also carries 12-volt lighting and outlets, shore power, and a battery charger.
The acknowledged weakness in the plan is the head’s position between the saloon and forward berth. Anyone using the V-berth must pass through the head unless they enter or leave through the forward deck hatch.
Engines, Deck Gear, and Owner Access
Engine installations changed during the production run. The original 29.9 was powered by an Atomic 4 gasoline engine. Later models received a 15 hp Yanmar, which gave way to a 16 hp Universal diesel in 1983.
Two large cockpit lockers also provide access to the engine compartment. Deck equipment includes stainless steel pulpits, stanchions, and lifelines, along with teak toe rails and molded nonskid. The white gelcoat has blue stripes. Together with the lack of a molded liner, this construction makes ongoing inspection straightforward for an owner inclined to do their own work.
Known Issues
Osmotic blistering appears occasionally on the 29.9’s solid laminate, but rarely to a serious degree. Because the below-waterline laminate is solid, there’s no core there to rot. The closely spaced flange fastenings are also visible for inspection.
The balsa-cored deck is the main area where moisture intrusion could matter, although the extent of any deck-core problems isn’t quantified.
The Verdict
The Bristol 29.9 is a thoughtfully engineered small cruiser-racer that has aged into a secure pocket cruiser. Herreshoff’s hull combines a 42 percent ballast ratio and skeg-protected rudder with a conservative rig. Bristol’s liner-free construction also makes the boat unusually easy to inspect for its era.
The choice of galley layouts adds some flexibility, while the head’s position in the passage to the forward berth is a minor compromise. Blistering is the only recurring structural issue noted, and even that seldom becomes significant.
Pros
- Solid fiberglass hull with visible, liner-free structural members for easy inspection
- Skeg-mounted rudder protects the propeller and aids directional control
- Two keel options, including a shallow-draft centerboard model
- Traditional six-berth interior with two practical galley arrangements
Cons
- Head sits between the saloon and V-berth, requiring passage through it
- Only four of the ten cabin ports open
- Osmotic blistering is sometimes reported, though seldom significant
- The oldest boats have Atomic 4 gasoline engines
