1982 Bristol Channel Cutter

From the Sam L Morse Website: Few boats are built today that will withstand many years of punishment from blue water cruising. Lyle Hess designed boats just for that purpose. His designs have been proven by Lin and Larry Pardey aboard Seraffyn and Teleisin and the many Bristol Channel Cutter owners who have ventured across the oceans.

This BCC was chartered and Captained by Michael "Bones" Bowden for the 2005 NW Cruise. It's a bit of a stretch to think Bones would tow "Dhana" (M-23) all the way to the NW from his home in Minneapolis. However, it's easy to see why he would charter such a fine craft. Chef Theo Petron (bottom row, red sweater) who owns an M-23 at White Bear Lake in Minnesota came along to do the galley chores. Upper right is Bones at the helm with Theo beside him and Randy Graves closest to us. Also notice Larry Yake (bottom left) has found the preferred resting place while cruising in placid waters.

Bones says; "My charter master told me this BCC is owned by a Doctor in Southern California. She's going through a constant refit and at the time of our charter, she had a new Yanmar 3-cylinder diesel and the mast, boom and all standing rigging was new. Also replaced was the AC / DC electrical system, AC water heater, refrigeration, and a wonderful force 10 zero clearance cabin heater was installed. We also had an M6.8 as our tender.

She sailed like a dream. Easily the most solid feeling boat I have ever had the pleasure of sailing. We used the full cutter sail plan of main, jib and staysail about 90 percent of the time.

Photos and Story by Michael "Bones" Bowden

Webmaster's Footnote: I was speaking with Bob Eeg (Montgomery Boats) and he says the closest color to the original wood for the spars is School Bus yellow. Looks like what Bristol uses on their aluminum mast and boom.