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Bristol

Bristol Summary Forecast

Current Conditions
Broken Clouds
44°F
Feels like: 38°F
Wind Chill: 38°F Ceiling: 25000ft
Heat Index: 44°F Visibility: 10mi
Dew Point: 20°F Wind: 13mph
Humidity: 38% Direction: 290° (WNW)
Pressure: 30.14" Gusts: -
Reported: 29 minutes 36 seconds ago
Tides
Sat 5:01 am 3.5' H
Sat 11:10 am 0.2' L
Sat 5:27 pm 3.2' H
Sat 10:44 pm -0.1' L
View month's tide chart »
3-Day Forecast
Saturday, February 4
6:54am / 5:04pm 1:57pm / 4:19am
Mostly Sunny
43°
24°
Day: Mostly sunny. High 43F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph.
Night: Mainly clear skies. Low 24F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.
View hourly »
Sunday, February 5
6:53am / 5:05pm 3:00pm / 5:03am
Mostly Sunny
37°
28°
Day: A few passing clouds, otherwise generally sunny. High 37F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph.
Night: Clear skies. Low 28F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.
View hourly »
Monday, February 6
6:52am / 5:06pm 4:06pm / 5:42am
Mostly Sunny
46°
33°
A few clouds. Highs in the mid 40s and lows in the low 30s.
View hourly »
Wind Forecast
Day SaturdaySundayMonday
MPH 9 7 6 6 6 6 5 4 4 6 7 11
NW
NNW
NNW
N
NNE
NNE
NNE
N
WNW
WSW
WSW
WSW
Radar
Local Knowledge
Penobscot Marine Museum posted an Image Gallery
Historic Scenes of Rhode Island's Working Waterfronts
Here are some great historic scenes from the collections of the Penobscot Marine Museum. A couple of them are labeled as being taken in "Stonebridge RI" but we can find no such location on current...
Tue, 11/22/2011 - 3:40pm
RI Harbors posted a Harbor Report
One Last Boat Show Before Launch?
Temperatures are warming and the sound of grinders and sanders outside means boaters are getting things ready for an early spring launch. And after the winter we've had in New England, we deserve to...
Wed, 04/13/2011 - 8:12pm
RI Harbors posted a Harbor Report
Forgotten Herreshoff Design To Be Built
A long-lost variation of Nathanael Greene Herreshoff's popular 121/2 is being built through a collaboration between a Bristol, Rhode Island, boatbuilder and "Captain Nat's" grandson, Halsey...
Fri, 02/18/2011 - 11:57am

Bristol Harbor is a delight for boaters of all strips, whether you're paddling a kayak or a steering a cruising yacht. Lots of boating history was made here, most notably by the Herreshoff family of yacht designers, and as a result, the place retains a dignity and grace that you'll immediately sense and appreciate. That, along with the calm water, as it's well protected from swells, and its adjacency to several islands that are wildlife sanctuaries.

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Local Knowledge

"Those fortunate to sail in Bristol Harbor are always rewarded by special pleasure here and the adjacent Narragansett Bay," says Halsey C. Herreshoff, naval architect and a sailor who has served as navigator during several defenses of the America's Cup.

"About every summer day, the morning calm suitable for boat work is replaced by an afternoon "sea breeze" of about 15 knots. This is perfect for sailing especially in our protected water with sufficient wind, without serious waves and with only enough current for racing interest. Racecourses are varied and interesting out to Hog Island, Prudence Island etc. So, together with its most attractive surroundings, Bristol is a sailor's paradise!"

Anchorages & Dockage

Bristol Harbor, between Bristol Neck on the east end and Popasquash Neck on the west, is in a cove about 2 miles long and 1.3 miles wide at its southern end, narrowing to 0.4 mile wide at its northern end. The harbor proper, the northern part of the cove, has depths of 15 to 17 feet.

Bristol is a town on the eastern side of the harbor. In approaching the harbor the most prominent mark is Mount Hope Bridge. Also prominent are the navigation lights, a stone tower, a stack, and an elevated tank on high ground back of the town. The town has bus service. A ferry operates daily from Bristol to Prudence Island.

Hog Island is in the middle of the entrance to Bristol Harbor. A natural channel with depths of 19 to 25 feet extends on each side of the island. Excellent anchorage may be found in the harbor abreast the town in depths of 15 to 17 feet, soft bottom. A general anchorage is in Bristol Harbor.

Usher Rocks, about 0.7 mile northeastward of Popasquash Point, are bare at low water. A buoy is eastward of the rocks and a lighted bell buoy is on the western side of the western passage to the harbor.

Tides
The mean range of tide at Bristol is 4.1 feet. Depths alongside the piers and wharves range from 9 to 13 feet.

Marine Services
Bristol Marina and the Bristol Yacht Club are on the west side of the harbor. Guest moorings, electricity, water, ice, marine supplies, and hull and engine repairs are available. A mobile hoist at the marina can handle craft to 42 feet long. Launching ramps are available on the east side of the harbor. Water depth to the marina is 8 ft.

A Coast Guard station is operated at Bristol Harbor. The Coast Guard pier is marked by a light.

Photo by Dave Cleaveland/Maine Aerials
Bristol Harbor. Image by Onne van der Wal - vanderwal.com
The Herreshoff Museum
The Herreshoff Museum docks
Thames Waterside Bar & Grill on Bristol Harbor
Photo by Dave Cleaveland/Maine Aerials
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