Convert to Outboard?

buzzk · Post by **buzzk** » Thu Oct 10, 2019 10:47 am

I wonder what it would cost to convert a 33 gas into a 33 with brackets and outboards. I know most of you guys think it would be crazy. I thought I saw a picture of one that was really well done but I can't find it on the web. Maybe I haven't seen one. Does anyone else remember seeing a 33 converted to outboards.

mouldrp · Post by **mouldrp** » Thu Oct 10, 2019 2:26 pm

Buzzk, Look on the Bertram31.com site, there is someone doing that to a Bertram25. It’s under the General Discussions Board.

retman · Post by **retman** » Fri Oct 11, 2019 6:17 am

I remember seeing a 33 FBC a year or so ago that had been converted and was done to the nines. I think it was in the keys.

buzzk · Post by **buzzk** » Fri Oct 11, 2019 7:10 am

If I was younger I would diffidently consider doing a conversion. I loved my 33 but I was tired of inboards not that I ever had issues. In fact nothing runs, handles and fishes like a boat with twin diesels.I would guess that it would cost a couple hundred thousand or more to do a conversion right.

Post by **dougl33** » Fri Oct 11, 2019 7:48 am

quote:Originally posted by buzzk I wonder what it would cost to convert a 33 gas into a 33 with brackets and outboards. A shit ton![:D]

h2ojst · Post by **h2ojst** » Fri Oct 11, 2019 9:39 am

I saw that outboard boat in Marathon quite a few years back. Beefing up the transom would be a chore but you'd have lots of storage!!!!!

greysole · Post by **greysole** » Mon Oct 14, 2019 6:40 am

I would think you would want a large outboard bracket added to the transom to add lift and offset all the added weight added so far aft. Otherwise you might have to add ballast midship of some sort make up for the removed engine weight. I'm partial to inboards and their weight down low in the belly.

buzzk · Post by **buzzk** » Mon Oct 14, 2019 7:37 am

I hear you on the weight down low and I love the way inboards handle. When I sold my Bertram 33 I bought and restored a 26 Regulator Express. Regulator only built around 40 of the express models. The reason I sold was because I wanted outboards and wanted to be able to trailer the boat. I was tired of boat yards and painting boat bottoms. Plus I didn't have anybody to go out on the boat, now that I sold it I've found some friends that would go with me. I really miss the size of the 33. We don't stay on the boat but with the small cabin to store our gear in, the Reg works great. What I really miss is the generator and AC. Being able to go into the cabin to cool off was nice. A 26 is a little small to install a marine generator. I've even thought about buying a 30' Regulator Express. The biggest problem with moving up in size is not being able to trailer the boat. I keep the Reg on a lift behind my house but like the idea of being able to trailer and I have a trailer for the boat.

PleasureBay · Post by **PleasureBay** » Tue Oct 15, 2019 3:07 am

There was a 33 in Marathon that had been converted to outboard power. I never saw it, but was told about it by the owner of the marina where I was having my 33 painted and serviced in the spring of 2014 when I purchased her. In about 2016 I saw photos of the outboard conversion and the storage space was huge and there were some really great alterations that we could do on our inboards.

buzzk · Post by **buzzk** » Tue Oct 15, 2019 10:01 am

I would be interested in buying a 33 outboard if I could find one that had already been converted and let someone else take the finical hit. It's not worth the cost for me to do the conversion. Maybe if I was younger and could or wanted to do the work but it would still cost a bunch.