Sportfish became FBC

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 4:24 pm

Gee guys.. I think she may be one of us after all! Frank B - IRGuy@aol.com "Phoenix" 1983 FBC Wilmington, NC

captgene · Post by **captgene** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 7:48 am

Hopefully it is flat all weekend. We're loaded up for diving on Sat. I think a Fish/Drink combo for Sunday and recovery on Monday, for work on Tues. Gene Dugan Boca Raton, Fl. "Nauti Marie" 1989 33 FBC

Rissa · Post by **Rissa** » Sat Sep 01, 2007 8:34 am

There ya go, hope you have a great time. Guess at the time of this posting you are already out there, rockin and rollin though. I have a question... maybe a blonde one, but I just gotta ask. Could you use a heavy bar stool on a boat, or would it constantly be falling over? I am trying to figure out how to put in a place to eat and add a little more counter space. I found this portable bar and think it would look pretty cool. But if I can't sit at it, it won't do me much good. http://www.furniturebuzz.com/products/H ... 99-99.htm] Marissa DeWitt Ocala, FL

Capt. Ed · Post by **Capt. Ed** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 5:29 am

Rissa, Bar stools you see on larger vessels are generally mounted to the deck. You want a wide round and heavy base if you did, making it less likely to fall over. [8D]

Capt. Ed · Post by **Capt. Ed** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 5:30 am

BTW. Welcome aboard Mr. John, glad to see you joining us.

Rissa · Post by **Rissa** » Sun Sep 02, 2007 9:56 am

A big base and a good solid wieght to them seem like they would be ok.... so what if I have to lay them down to motor out. LOL I can feel the smoke beginng in form in my brain now. I may just figure out some way to attach a piece of wood to the counter at the bottom... John hates it when I go thinking. LOL [;)] Marissa DeWitt Ocala, FL

captgene · Post by **captgene** » Tue Sep 04, 2007 4:42 am

I've been on numerous boats with bar stool seating. 48-55 range. Most of this boats have counter seating plus the high-low at the L shape salon seating. Never been a problem sitting at the dock or calm anchorage. Don't think I'd sit there in 4-6 or worse. Just doesn't seem like the right chair for a 33 FBC. Gene Dugan Boca Raton, Fl. "Nauti Marie" 1989 33 FBC

Chris Anderson · Post by **Chris Anderson** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 10:48 am

Congratualtions Marissa on becoming a Bertram 33 addict! When y'all make your trip to bring "her" home, let me know so we can offer you a cocktail and toast stop in Venice! Just give me a heads-up and we'll meet-up. Have safe & fun trip! Chris

Rissa · Post by **Rissa** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 3:04 pm

Thanks for the invite Chris. Should just be a couple more weeks and we will be on the water! [8D] Marissa DeWitt Ocala, FL

Rissa · Post by **Rissa** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 9:09 am

I see a couple of weeks ago, I said a couple of weeks... Well we almost have everything done, BUT... A plumber friend, (maybe ex-friend) used a 3 mile long screw to attach our water pump to the bulkhead, and punctured our fresh water tank. ARRRGH! It is amazing how much water, can go through such a little hole, in such a short amount of time. We got to the boat last weekend to find the bilges full of water. After 3 days of checking things (and replacing the bilge float, that failed to work) we discovered the screw-up. [:0] John seems to think he can get the wood off the front of the water tank, I have doubts. Does anybody have any first hand knowledge about getting to the front of fresh the water tank on a 77? Question 2. Is the steel plate in the main bilge a Bertram normality, or is that particular to our boat? If they were built that way, how do you get to the bilge pump and float in the main bilge? Can you say; wire HELL??? LOL I keep telling John, it would be easier to rewire the whole boat than try to figure out what the hell the previous owners had done. The boat we got was owned by some sort of research team, so you have no idea what kind of alien wiring is onboard. The stack to the bridge is totally crammed with wires, so absolutely no more will go through. I couldn't even get a fish tape down the stack... Marissa DeWitt "Miss Missy" Ocala, FL 1977 33 FBC

captgene · Post by **captgene** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 9:58 am

Oh Boy! Metal Plate? Sounds like a ground plate. Some do , some don't. The bildge pump in the engine room should be completly accessable. My wiring goes to a terminal block by the fwd bulkhead (the one behind your water tank) My pump and float wire to the TB. I'd say your friend (ex-friend) should never be allowed to touch your boat again! You would have to cut into that bulkhead to try and repair that screw hole. Even then it will eventually vibrate a plug loose. New Tank? Not good. If you take the Port panel off on your deck, you can get to the wiring better. I'd say if it isn't doing something important, take it all out. Not sure how much different the 77 is from the 89. I'm sure someone with a earlier vintage will chime in. But for the most part they were all built similiar. Gene Dugan Boca Raton, Fl. "Nauti Marie" 1989 33 FBC

lobsta1 · Post by **lobsta1** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 11:12 am

Gene, A 77 & an 89 are like comparing apples & oranges. Marissa, I wanted to pull my water tank on my 78 & I finally came to the realization that the only way to take the tank out would be to use a sawsall on that plywood aft of the tank. I might still do that as I would like to put a holding tank in & then figure how to then fit in a new water tank. Al

JohnD · Post by **JohnD** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 4:18 am

Here's an idea for the hole in the water tank. use a hole saw and cut out about a 2" hole in the same spot, this will give you access to make the repair. Keep the hole that's cut out and use it and a littlethickend epoxy to replace it. I'd try some JB Weld for aluminum and follow the instructions. You should be fine. As for the wiring, go slow and work on it on your own if you can. To have the boat re-wired could cost a low of $20k if done anywhere near right. I had my pannel replace and nearly every component traced and fixed to the tune of about $8-9k and about 70% labor. Just make sure it's safe, it doesn't have to look like a new Cabo. Good Luck. John D "Lady D" Bertram 35 Pasadena MD

Rissa · Post by **Rissa** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 5:15 am

As far as the wiring goes, we are in luck as Mr John can do it. Thank God. I knew the water tank would be a major issue, though I do like the idea of the hole saw. The water tank in this boat is some sort of plastic, not aluminum. I say it is plastic, I suppose it could be aluminum with some sort of plastic insert which shows through the hole which the pipes are connected to. Marissa DeWitt "Miss Missy" Ocala, FL 1977 33 FBC

retman · Post by **retman** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 6:41 am

Marissa, Another way to fix the tank is to drill and tap where the screw went thru, then thread in a stainless screw coated with silicone. Bill Arnold 1988 33 FBC 'Retriever'