thinking of buying a bertram

Royce · Post by **Royce** » Tue May 01, 2007 3:31 am

My brothers and I recently aquired a 28' shrimp boat that used to belong to my grandfather. The boat needs a lot of work and my brothers had the idea of converting her into an offshore fishing boat, but I do not believe that the hull design would be very good for this. I believe we should bite the bullet and prchase an older 33' bertram that may need some work. With twin diesels, what kind of fuel consumption should I expect from a 33' bertram? The fishing we would like to do is about 50 miles offshore. Would a 33' bertram be a good boat to make this trip on a regular basis? Thanks in advance for any advise.

JohnD · Post by **JohnD** » Tue May 01, 2007 3:45 am

Welcome Royce, For fishing, the B33 sportfish is an excelent choice, excelent cockpit space and engine boxes to sit on. With Cat3208's you should get around just over 1 mpg up to 1.5 mpg which is about as good as it gets, Others can chime in with specifics. Now's a good time to be a buyer, the market is soft and some good boats are going for vary reasonable prices. Check out the post und the Sportfish section, there's one there for what seems like a reasonable price. Converting anything into anything else is usually more work than it's worth. Keep the shrimp boat for shrimping and buy Bertram to fish. Go with diesel if at all possible. Gas is crazy expensive and a conversion from gas to diesel just isn't worth it if you don't already own the boat. Good luck in your search, John D "Lady D" Bertram 35 Pasadena MD

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Tue May 01, 2007 6:08 am

Royce, I agree with John.The B33 is a great offshore boat.

Post by **dougl33** » Tue May 01, 2007 7:13 am

Royce, You should hook up with Mike as he is selling exactyly what you're looking for: http://www.bertram33.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1113 Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

Royce · Post by **Royce** » Tue May 01, 2007 8:10 am

quote:Originally posted by dougl33 Royce, You should hook up with Mike as he is selling exactyly what you're looking for: http://www.bertram33.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1113 Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

Royce · Post by **Royce** » Tue May 01, 2007 8:14 am

Thanks for your input. What do yall think about the smaller bertrams? 28 or 31 SF? Do yall think the 28 is two small to take 50 miles offshore? It may be more in my price range.

Post by **dougl33** » Tue May 01, 2007 8:17 am

The 28 is a great boat. I had an 81 for 2 years before I got the 33. I think its a more flexible boat than the 31. The 28 and 31 have similar weight, dimensions, and deadrise. No problem going off-shore. Its was just too small to use as a cruiser. I doubt you'll get a better deal on a diesel 31 than you can get on Mike's boat right now. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

smanni · Post by **smanni** » Tue May 01, 2007 3:18 pm

id go offshore on a 28, 31, or 33 - but I love the cockpit of the 33 - everything about it - size, height of gunnels, engine boxes (to sit on), the 4 ft(estimated) of shade that the overhang provides while you are watching your rods. Some of these things wouldnt be important to some people - but for me - I find myself comparing these benefits to every boat I see - even 5-700k new boats that are beautiful. I find myself saying " nice boat - but no shade in the cockpit" or "nice boat, but the cockpit is to small for that size boat".

Post by **dougl33** » Tue May 01, 2007 4:30 pm

Sean, I sort of do the same thing when I go to boat shows. I ask myself how much I'd need to spend to get a brand new version of what I have now. The closest I can get is a 33 Riviera for $335K or a 35 Cabo for $560K. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

JohnD · Post by **JohnD** » Wed May 02, 2007 4:28 am

Guys I agree, Not to get too far off topic, I had the same discussion with an extended family member on Sunday, he had just bought a GW 23 Gulfstream. He advocates new and I say that quality used beats new any day of the week when you consider $$ spent. BTW, I'll have about the same $$ in my newly repowered B35 as he paid for his new 23ft GW, not that its an apples to apples compare, but you guys know what I mean. The B33 packs alot into a small package, be it Convertable or Sportfish. I agree with what Sean said about the B33 sportfish. As for the other models, a B31 with 4cy yanmar or cummins would be an awesome day-boat for fishing anywhere. If your doing anything more than day trips then the B33 & up are the best choices. -jd John D "Lady D" Bertram 35 Pasadena MD

sbeer · Post by **sbeer** » Wed May 02, 2007 9:18 am

Only thing that I don't like about the 31b is its a wet boat. Not alot of area to get out of the elements. The 33 is dry as a bone but rocks its but off, were the 31 is pretty stable. Just my input, between the 2 the 33 wins hands down. Mike

Post by **dougl33** » Wed May 02, 2007 9:35 am

I'll bet in similar conditions the 31 would rock more at rest than the 33 as it has more deadrise and less beam. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

lobsta1 · Post by **lobsta1** » Wed May 02, 2007 2:16 pm

Mike, I've never ridden on a 31 but know their wet reputation. however I don't think a 33FBC is really that dry. I know without the canvas up I've had to put on rain gear as I was getting some pretty solid water at the helm. Al

Post by **dougl33** » Wed May 02, 2007 2:20 pm

Al, I know my boat is much drier than my old 28. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

richcatch22 · Post by **richcatch22** » Wed May 02, 2007 2:31 pm

Definetly dryer than than the 31 and most others. But the 33 is rocker no question. Just take notice when a little wind blows and in the slip. Everyonle else is stable and the 33 is rocking. BTW, Just finshed a $$$ fiberglass repair from that surprise storm last fall with 50 knot winds from rocking the slip. Capt Rich Catch 22 1989 33 FBC