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From An Accident, An Idea 

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I think Dad secretly wanted to be a mechanic. He put himself through engineering school working part-time in an auto shop, and I spent most of my teenage years in the 80's working with him as he tinkered away on some engine in his garage. His first boat was 16' Cutter with a 65 h.p. Mercury outboard.  The Cutter didn't last long - he felt that it was too small for the lake we were on - so he sold it to a neighbour, and then bought a Glastron V174 with a MerCruiser alpha one, powered by an "Iron Duke" 3.0L engine. Unfortunately, on the first trip out in the boat with friends, he hit a rock shoal.  The new boating adventure ended soon after it began. 

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A Team Was Put Together

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The alpha sterndrive was a mess - the skeg was gone, propeller blades curled and the propeller shaft was bent.  The closest dealer was 3 hours drive away.  The aspiring mechanic accepted the challenge - he took the sterndrive off the boat, consulted a retired marine mechanic, borrowed a few tools and took the gearcase apart.  He persuaded an auto body shop to repair the housing and a local machine shop to straighten out the propeller shaft.  After getting everything back, along with a few new parts (and a propeller) from the dealer, Dad repaired his first sterndrive, put back on and splashed the boat back on the water. (Mom, of course, bought and gave him the nautical chart for the lake this time :) ).

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The New Business Began 

 

Word got around, and soon other cottagers in the area were dropping off sterndrives (and some outboard gearcases) for him to repair. The business grew, and Dad founded Bristol Salvage, Inc. out of his garage in the summer of 1986.  Over time, the company integrated parts supply, machine, body and paint shops that specialized in sterndrive repairs. 

 

We Service What We Sell 

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As our summers are relatively short, in addition to new and aftermarket sterndrives, we started to rebuild and stock the more popular sterndrive models, sold exchange and with a warranty for those on a budget.  Dad believed that a boat's place is on the water.  He also stocked and sold select new and aftermarket parts and accessories.     

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Let's Hear Your Story

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When Dad retired in 2012, I bought the company. Today, BristolBuilt Marine still keeps to Dad's mission:  Provide the needed parts, fast and transparent service, fair repair options and on-time delivery. Give us a call - we'll enjoy hearing your story.   

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See you out on the water! 

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Bill. 

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