can anybody help?????

**u69fitta** · 04-24-2004, 05:08 AM

I have what i believe to be a 1950s outboard racing boat.
It is about 12ft long,fibreglass,with long powerboat nose,
with a badge on dashboard ( bristol ). I am trying to get any info
at all to do with this boat and as yet have had no joy.
Any ideas or info would help
Thanks

**shadowman** · 04-24-2004, 06:13 AM

I'm sure someone on here will know what you have

**Mark75H** · 04-24-2004, 08:20 AM

Fiberglass wasn't popular in race boats until the very late 1960's.

Many of the smaller classes (12 ft) still use wood.

A picture is probably worth 10,000 words of description here.

**Mark75H** · 04-25-2004, 09:41 PM

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**Mark75H** · 04-25-2004, 09:42 PM

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**Mark75H** · 04-25-2004, 09:43 PM

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**Mark75H** · 04-25-2004, 09:49 PM

You might want to contact the people here:

Motorboat Museum

Or look up Kevin Desmond. I think Bristols are mentioned in Desmond's books about boat racing:

Powerboat Speed

Century Of Outboard Racing

Sorry I don't have time to look them up this week. I'm getting ready for my first race this year.

**u69fitta** · 05-05-2004, 01:03 PM

Thanks for the replys!!!!!
Have been in touch with Motorboat Museum as suggested by Mark75H. They have come up with the name Charlie Sheppard who may have built these boats.( More to do ! ).Hope to may be see some of them pics olegator.

**mbd29** · 05-06-2004, 05:57 AM

David Parkinson would be another to contact for information on Charlie Sheppard as they were very close. Charlie was the principal of Bristol Boats and was also a key figure in the Bristol race. I do have an email address but would like to contact him first before I give it out.

**John Schubert** · 05-06-2004, 08:45 AM

Yup, the boat looks a lot like those raced in the Paris 6 hours. Made large holes in the turns that we continually fell in to while lapping them. Everyone ran together. That very deep "V" design was somewhat ahead of it's time.

**u69fitta** · 05-06-2004, 12:31 PM

Thanks guys....
This is getting very interesting!!!!!!!!!
Have had this boat for about 2 yrs and could not find out anything, now all this info... GREAT

**u69fitta** · 06-13-2004, 03:58 AM

Charlie Sheppard did build these boats. This model is a X1V, (14ft), Built approx 1964. They used a Mercury 50hp,although others used different outboards. A speed test was done on Lake Windermere using a Yamaha 60d outboard where a speed of between 72-74mph was achieved.
I am now going to try to restore this boat,but would be gratefull if anybody has anymore info or pics (especially of dash including clocks etc.)
Thanks