Headroom etc.

scottmcsea · Post by **scottmcsea** » Thu Dec 20, 2007 7:40 am

I'm looking at 33sf, 33convertible and 35 models online looking for a boat to buy. Three quick questions for the knowledgeable: 1) does one of the models have more standup headroom than the others? It looks like the convertible is taller than the sf (one son is 6'5", the other is 6'6") 2) is repower a lot more difficult in the convertibles since the engines are "inside" the salon rather than under engine boxes in the cockpit? and 3) why wouldn't the new common rail cummins 380 be a much better repower choice than the 370 rebuild since it's supposedly more fuel efficient, cleaner and quieter? Thanks, scottmcsea

Post by **dougl33** » Thu Dec 20, 2007 8:52 am

Scott, Welcome aboard. No matter which way you go I'm sure you'll be pleased. 1. Both the 33 FBC (Convertable) and the 35 will have more head room than the 33 SF. 2. Yes. The re-power is more difficult on both the 33 FBC and 35 than the 33 SF. 3. As far as the common rail being a "better" choice is a matteer of $. If money is no object, then yes, the common rails would probably be a better choice. Personally, I don't think they get much better fuel economy. I look at the tests in the boating magazines and the fuel burns at the same rpms don't seem to be much different than what I'm getting from my 6BTA's. There is however, a big difference in the original cost of the common rails over the B series. I say get the 370B's while you still can because they are much less money. 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** » Thu Dec 20, 2007 12:38 pm

Scott, Welcome Aboard. I agree with Doug, but will add a couple of points on repowering. - A pre 1980 B35 has double sliding doors into the salon and I was able to pull my 454's without pulling the doors, if you pull the doors you have even more room. The down side is the pre '80 models don't have the command bridge(seating in front of the helm). - Unless a repower is something you want to do, buy one that has had a recent repower there are available and it's a good time to be the buyer. Each model has it's strong points with the 1980's model B35 a nice chocie with the extra day birth and command birdge. The B35 and B33sf have the best cockpit size while the B33FB the best interior with the 2 staterooms. As long as your considering the different models and if you're price range can stretch to the low $100,000's check out the available B37's they have the accomidations of the B33fb and cockpit of a B35.. Good luck with you're search. br, John D "Lady D" Bertram 35 Pasadena MD

CB35 · Post by **CB35** » Thu Dec 20, 2007 1:38 pm

Your sons are out of luck. 6'3" or 6'4" is about it. 37B's are nice boats; but there cockpit is smaller then the 35B front to back. A Murry Large is tighter on a 37B then my 35B. Another thing I like about the 37B is there is more room for repower options. A 35B will run real nice with 350HP or more. John is putting a couple of 3126's in at around 420HP. John is going to have a rocketship. Scott I don't know what part of the world you are located; but I am putting my 1984 35B 3208Cat powered on the block. I talked with my broker yesterday. Don't worry about the AC Rendezvous another Bertram is in future! Charlie

scottmcsea · Post by **scottmcsea** » Thu Dec 20, 2007 2:12 pm

Thanks for all the feedback. I think the 35 is as big as I would want to go, so a 37 would be a long shot for me. One follow up question, though. Where does the extra 2' show up in the 35? Is it all in the cockpit? And for the record I'm marooned in Memphis for the winter, but home port, for many years, has been Chatham, MA. thanks, scottmcsea

JohnD · Post by **JohnD** » Thu Dec 20, 2007 5:30 pm

About 4 years ago I looked at a B33fb, I didn't know about that model when I bought my B35 if I did I probably would have bought that model. With a family the extra stateroom would be nice. Though I'm now starting my 7th year with my B35 and have no regrets other than not waiting and purchasing one already done or in decent original shape. I also forgot the B38 which are also a great boat just a little more dated layout than the B37. I think the extra 2 feet is in the cockpit. Also the salon is larger at the expense of the second stateroom. Charlie's boat is nice and kept in tip top shape, I can't wait to hear what he's got his eye on... It would definetly be work checking out. Also, regarding repowering read some of the repower threads hear, there's a wealth of info from both sides those who do everything themselves to thoughs who wrote the check and the ones like me who are in the middle. I've done the tear out and cleanup, the yard will do the modifications and install, then I'll be the one putting the interior back together. It's about triple my time estimate while I think I'm only over by about 5-10% on budget. br, John D "Lady D" Bertram 35 Pasadena MD

Post by **dougl33** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 5:27 am

Charlie, Say it ain't so! Why are you selling? Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

sbeer · Post by **sbeer** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 6:05 am

Ya, this is the first I heard about it! Whats up charlie? Does that mean I get my manuals back,lol. Mike

Fish Stix · Post by **Fish Stix** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 6:10 am

All good points. It's difficult to resist comparing models. Long trips finds the crew and I arguing over the relative space we had in the 33FBC as opposed to what we've got now in the 37. That 33FBC packed a lot into the cabin. Headroom - we had 50's & 80's ceiling-mounted in the cabin on the 33. The 37 is notably lower and that clearly wouldn't work - hence the overhead rod storage. Ice maker, oven and front cabinets were also in the 33 whereas the 37 doesn't seem to lend itself to adding those items without giving something up. Down below the two are close except for the separate shower. I had little choice in loosing the 33FBC as you guys know, and we were fortunate to end up in the 37 - at that time any 33, 35 or 37 would have fit our needs. That said, and the fact that I still find myself comparing the 33FB to the 37 tells you those models really give a lot for the LOA and dollars invested. Any move up in size is going to realize more, just that it comes at a cost. The 33's are positioned to give a lot for your investment. Happy holidays and ....go tigers!

Post by **dougl33** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 8:01 am

Dave, Nice to hear from you again. Its been too long. Tell us a little about your 37. Year, engines, performance, etc,... Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

CB35 · Post by **CB35** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 8:21 am

I may need some cash to invest in a boat modification business. Something like turning flybridge boats into express boats. You can't beat the Bertram hulls for a great base. Charlie

Fish Stix · Post by **Fish Stix** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 11:06 am

Doug Waaaaay to long. Things are good. I keep an ear to B33.com, just to keep tabs on you guys. Where to start... I finished the engine rebuild in May. Reasoning that I'd be buying new turbos anyway, I installed a different turbo/injector arrangement targeting around 530 hp out of the '89 692's. Dyno'd right on but still have a few items to tweak. While the engines were out, I slipped in extra fuel capacity thinking you can never have enough. Still need to work the props but right now I'm sitting around 26.5k cruise. Ya neva really finish, do ya!! On the other side, I was able to get the first fishing trip behind me later in the summer. I'd forgotten how confusing that first trip can be. Amazing how much you take for granted when having had the same boat for a while. Most of the tackle on the 33 was lost in the storm. Even with a carefully thoughout provisioning list, we still found ourselves catching ziplock bags of tackle items thrown across the rip which normally are "somewhere on the boat...just go look!" I really think it takes years to get a boat rigged complete - you can't possibly think of all the things you'll need. Anyway, we tagged a blue by 10 the first morning, so the crew felt like they had landed "back in the saddle, again." I'll get a picture up in the signature one of these days. Thanks for asking, and stay warm up there this xmas.

Post by **dougl33** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 11:30 am

Will do, thanks for the update. What are you turning for rpms at 26.5 knots? Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

Fish Stix · Post by **Fish Stix** » Fri Dec 21, 2007 11:40 am

turning 2000. Most '92 owners seem to cruise between 2,000 and 2050, or so I'm told. I played around with wheels last summer. Up in diameter, up in pitch, up in cup, just to try to get more data points. Problem is, when we fish, we overload the heck out of these things with fuel and ice. I had the pitch and cup way up at one point and was able to turn up spec with a 27.5 k cruise 32k top, but backed off to get the rpms at rodeo load conditions.