Bertram33 User Forum

Frank: I'm sure that there's a place for you in the current administration. Maybe you could get them to throw in a boatwell on the Potomac. Jim Hart Fidelity-Always Faithful

I sincerely hope that all who visit the Bertram 33 website have a Happy, Healthy, and Memorable THANKSGIVING! Jim Hart FIDELITY-Trustworthy & Faithful

For the love of Bertram; are you all leaving? Jim Hart

I met a guy at an outing with a 28' or so Chris Craft that said that his hull was identical to a 28' Bert. I argued that Ray Hunt designed a lot of other hulls including Sea Rays but that the Bertrams were unique. His response was that Bertram sued Chris Craft over the design and won. Much like the ...

I have a "fishbone" style ladder (single post) like the Garelick that is easily removable and floats. You can damn near walk up with fins on using a knotted rope to steady yourself. I think that Garelick may have bought the product line...The company was Windline or something like that. Ji...

Thunderbolt ignitions eat plug wires, you may see a spark but it's just not hot enough. After going through a couple of sets of Merc. wires I switched to 8mm Accel Hi-Perf and haven't had a problem for 4 years. Also check the sender in the distributors (the thing that the slotted cup goes through) t...

Ron: The ports were made by Beckson Marine Inc. (at least on my '88) 165 Holland Ave, Bridgeport,CT 06605. http://www.beckson.com They also make/made a nifty screen insert that vents and stays mostly dry. Jim Hart Fidelity:Always Faithful

Gene: I've been thinking about your problem and I don't think that plugs fail and then are OK the next day. If the genny doesn't shut down when you're running on top and then does when you're back in the harbor it may be that the water intake is clogged just enough that there's not enough water with...

By the way, Thank you Lynn. Jim

Buzzk: I've been in the boat business almost all of my working life, from marina "bull gang" to carpentry and f-glass repair including wrenching a lot of engines and currently run Barbron Corp. making flame arrestors; I'm on the Marine Tech. Commitee of the SAE, and have owned Fidelity for...

Sadly, I've got to pull and replace Fidelity's starboard 454 gas. Does anyone know how much of the engine I can get through the door or window? Heads off up-right, or heads and pan off sideways, or dare I say heads on? Also any tips on things to avoid (the same engine is going back in) from those of...

Matt: If you can get away with a light sanding the color will be fine with the Sikkins that Doug mentioned, but if there are nicks and/or dents that can't be sanded-out then you'll have to bleach out the wood with oxalic acid or hydrogen peroxide. I'd stay away from the two part wood bleaches they'r...

Justin: I'm on the SAE Marine Tech. committee and a member of ABYC, but NOT an EE! Is there a "J" number after the SAE? J-378 deals with low voltage (under 50v) and equates temp. rating to amps carried. 60c rated insulation with a conductor size of 0 is good to carry 113 amps inside engine...

Thanks Doug, I'll check-out LOWES....Were any of the boats equipedwith screen doors O.E.? Jim

We've had FIDELITY ('88 FBC) for about 12 years and never had a screen door for the main cabin, only a velcro panel. Before I re-invent the wheel and build a horizontal bi-fold, teak framed door with lift off hinges (to store behind the settee). Does anyone have a simpler set-up that they'll share? ...