Sportfish became FBC

Sean B · Post by **Sean B** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 7:38 am

Just put in an inspection port right where the hole is Sean Burlingham "Island Time" 1987 Bertram 33 SF Melbourne, FL SBurlingham@cfl.rr.com [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... d_Time.jpg[/img]

Rissa · Post by **Rissa** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 9:25 am

quote:Originally posted by retman 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' Bill, that sounds good to me too, John did try just wrapping some plumbers tape around the screw and putting it back in, but that didn't work. It will be worth a second try the next time we go down. The tank will be completely dry then, and the silicone can bond better. This will be our first choice solution, since it would certainly be the easiest. The inspection port is a good idea too. I had to look one up to see what it was, but now I know. [^] I knew you guys would have some good ideas. That's why I asked. [8D] At least this leak isn't something to keep us from bringing the boat around sometime next week. I don't really care about taking showers or washing dishes anyway. [:p] It looks like the water level at Lake Okeechobee is gonna be just enough for us to squeeze through the locks. Hopefully the rain we are getting will further increase the water levels there. Marissa DeWitt "Miss Missy" Ocala, FL 1977 33 FBC

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 9:31 am

My wire stack was very full as well. I traced down any and all wires i could find that was not in use or went to old transducers etc. and yanked them all out. It was a long process but i ended up with a big box full of old wire and a little breathing room in the stack.A pull string and some dawn detergent helps pulling wire as well.

Post by **dougl33** » Tue Oct 02, 2007 9:50 am

Last year while installing my flo-scans, I pulled out a 5 gallon bucket worth of wires that were not attached on either end. It certainly made running the new wires much easier. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

MrJohn · Post by **MrJohn** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 12:39 pm

Well the decision is made. We will be crossing the state via Okeechobee, Monday. I am a tad nervous but a few drinks each night should settle me down. [8D]

Post by **dougl33** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 12:44 pm

John, What's to be nervous about? Look at it as an adventure! I love it when I get the chance to go on a delivery. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

Rissa · Post by **Rissa** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 12:49 pm

quote:Originally posted by dougl33 John, What's to be nervous about? Look at it as an adventure! I love it when I get the chance to go on a delivery. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img] LOL it would have a better feel, if the water level at the loch was a bit higher than 4.03 feet. Marissa DeWitt "Miss Missy" Ocala, FL 1977 33 FBC

Capt. Ed · Post by **Capt. Ed** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 3:44 pm

Enjoy the trip, it really is a nice run.

Rissa · Post by **Rissa** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 1:02 pm

The story of the trip from hell to come.... Hope all you guys are doing well. Marissa DeWitt "Miss Missy" Ocala, FL 1977 33 FBC

franklyprice · Post by **franklyprice** » Fri Nov 09, 2007 2:16 pm

Marissa, I'm sorry to hear that your trip didn't work out as well as you'd hoped. I do hope that your desire to have a Bertram hasn't diminished because of it. I can tell you that a bad first trip isn't all that uncommon and that one of the best things about being on the water is when you get the boat right and all the other things right, then it becomes fun and worth it in spades. I'm looking forward to reading about it. We all could come up with stories of trips from hell I bet, now that I think about it.

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Sat Nov 10, 2007 4:13 am

Marissa... I suspect the first trip for a lot of new owners is hell. Have read several stories.. previous owner knew he (or she) was selling the boat, cut back on maintenance, things sit idle and corrode, stuff that had not been used for a long time is suddenly put into service on a long trip. Things that might have been marginal on short day trips let go after several hours of continued use. At least now you know what you need to focus on. I might be out of line here, but for a lot of us who have had similar problems we at least have the knowledge that we know what we have to do to make the boat better and more dependable. Don't lose heart.. things will get better from here on! Frank B - IRGuy@aol.com "Phoenix" 1983 FBC Wilmington, NC

Rissa · Post by **Rissa** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 3:01 pm

We have not lost heart. Just don't want to see the boat for a while. There is more to this story but it was so long when I finished I figured I better not even try to get everything in. So this is just the highlights. THE TRIP FROM HELL It was a beautiful day on Oct. 16th, 2007. We started our engines with no problems. We had minor difficulty with the wind in the harbor, but left without incident. We cruised along at a nice idle speed to the Jupiter Inlet Bridge, they would not open it for us. So we stopped to lower our antennas and outriggers so we could pass. We lost power to one engine. Very strong current pulled us quickly into service walk at another bridge. We got the engine started again after a few attempts. We continued on our way until we came to Port St. Lucie Inlet. Lost both engines, could not get them started again. Speeding boats washed us aground just outside of the channel, in 1.6 ft of water. Called Boat US. Got towed to marina in Ft Stuart. Tow boat driver ran our boat into moored sailboat. No damage, just one very angry bearded man. We met Willard. He spent then next 2 days working on our engines and exhaust system. We left around 11 am to go to the Port Saint Lucie Lock. We made it with time to spare. No problems. We reached Indiantown Marina around dark. Found a washer and dryer. Good fortune was ours. We left the next morning. We lost all steering at the rocky Ft. Mayaca Lock, 3.6 feet of water, hit a rock, bent prop. We cruised across Lake Okechobee with no steering, a bent prop, in water that at some times hit 2.6 feet. (We knew we went aground in 1.6 ft. ) We stopped at Roland Martin’s Marina. Found a diver/mechanic named Rick. Steering fluid was gone, so Rick filled the steering fluid, bled the lines, pumped up the pressure, great, steering works! New props? No problem? Wrong answer. They had to go on long trip to locate new props, first set was too large. The second set was too small, third set was just right. So 5 days later we are off again. We went through the next locks without incident. Slowed to idle past a small marina engine started acting bad. We called Rick. (We already knew he was the ONLY big boat mechanic in the whole area) He met us in La Belle. We stayed in motel there 2 days. New carburetor on the port engine, it ran great. We packed up our stuff and left. The engine only runs for 5 minutes without problems. We turned around went back to motel, called Rick, got old room back. It was something with the electric ignition. He fixed that the next day. Alas, there is a tropical storm brewing, with high winds, so we waited 2 extra days in the motel. We made it through Franklin lock without incident. Just after passing through the lock the other engine started knocking. We just traveled slowly to Ft. Meyers. Called Rick. Oh No!!! He is sick with food poisoning! Of course it was a Friday afternoon so we could not find anyone in Ft Meyers who would help us out. Did I mention they were having a boat show in 2 days so were could not stay? So we left on a prayer. Ut oh, we have no steering. No problem we knew what to do. Pulled out my trusty bicycle pump and wallah, we had steering! It didn’t last, as the fluid had all leaked out again. No where we stopped at had any. We made it to Venice with no steering, one engine going knock, knock, knock, and 6 to 8 ft seas. John took an 8 mile hike to the nearest store and got steering fluid. We were off once again. Lo and behold the knocking engine is now running right! ( a miracle after 3days knocking) So we had steering, we had both engines, seas were calm. We were screaming along at 18 mph. Engine with new parts blew up! Knocking engine carried us through. We still could steer as long as I kept pressure on the steering pump. We limped from just north of Venice to Clearwater, dodging crab traps from hell! We lost the steering for good, at dusk in Clearwater. Steering fluid tripped the circuit breaker, so as we were calling for a tow, we lost all electric power. (Do you know how hard it is to tell someone where you are without any kind of navigation?) What else could possibly go wrong, you might ask; well out of no where, the wind cranked up 10 to 15 ft seas. John found the tripped breaker so we did at least get our power back. This turned out to be a good thing. We got towed all the way home. A 4 hour tow which ended at 2 am on November 6th, 2007. We are thinking seriously about renaming this boat the S.S. Minnow! Marissa DeWitt "Miss Missy" Ocala, FL 1977 33 FBC

Post by **dougl33** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 3:52 pm

Rissa, The bottom line is that the boat's home and no one got hurt. Now the real fun begins. Putting it all back together and getting everything straight. To a certain extent, I'm sure we've all had similar issues occur (if not so many at once!). Welcome home and good luck. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

dealerschoice · Post by **dealerschoice** » Sun Nov 11, 2007 6:25 pm

Rissa, Thank goodness everyone is ok. Just work hard and straighten everything so that you can enjoy the boat......But you have scared me....I just made an offer on a boat that I have not even heard it run. Maybe I will just buy the boat and not even take it home. Good luck, Scott

Post by **dougl33** » Mon Nov 12, 2007 5:24 am

Scott, Which boat did you wind up going with? Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]