B33 FBC - Movement while on the Hook?

Mike Q · Post by **Mike Q** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 5:49 am

I'm considering buying a B33 FBC. I do a lot of bottom fishing and over nights on the hook. I'm a little concerned that the deep V hull might rock and roll too much. Could anyone comment on this? Thanks, Mike

Post by **dougl33** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 7:16 am

Mike, Welcome aboard. The FBC will roll more than a SF because its got a higher center of gravity. What other boats are you considering?

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 7:32 am

Welcome Mike... You will find everyone here willing to answer all your questions about the Bertram 33s, so don't be afraid to ask anything. The concensus of opinion is that the Bertrams with their relatively deep V hulls rock and roll more than other boats in a comparable size range with relatively flat bottoms aft (ie: Egg Harbors, Hatts. etc) when drifting. The trade off is that Bertrams handle bad weather better, and running nasty inlets with their head and following seas is much more comfortable and safe. They also pound less in big seas. Choosing a boat is like choosing a wife.. there are a lot of prospects out there.. you have to know what is important to you, you search for the one that best suits your needs, and you better commit to it before somebody else gets involved. None are perfect, so be prepared to forego some things as long as what you select suits most of your requirements. By way of complete disclosure, I have been married (to the same woman) for 40 years. I was lucky! Very lucky!

Mike Q · Post by **Mike Q** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 7:44 am

Thanks Doug. Do you think the rolling would be an issue on anchor? A few years ago I was thinking about buying an old Bertam 31, but a few people recommended that I not get it becuase being a deep V hull it would rock & roll too much while on anchor. I have a Tiara 27 Open (w/ modified V-hull) right now. Great boat, but too small for my growing family of five to go away on for the weekend. Some of the other boats I'm considering was a Tiara 31 Open or a Unitflight 31' Cruiser. However, I like the Bertram 33 the best - great reputation, rock solid and a real head turner.

Mike Q · Post by **Mike Q** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 7:48 am

Thanks Frank. I appreciate your comments...nicely said.

Post by **dougl33** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 9:28 am

I don't think it would be that much of an issue since you'll probably be in the cockpit fishing rather than up on the bridge where the roll will be more pronounced. As Frank said, boats are all about trade offs. Do you want a superior ride to and from the fish or do you want an uncomfortable ride but a steady fishing platform? If the roll at anchor is so bad it becomes untolerable, the chances are that other boats won't be out fishing that day anyway. The 31 has a very deep v, but its got a very low center of gravity. Anyone who talkied you out of a Bert has probably never been on one.

Mike Q · Post by **Mike Q** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 9:53 am

Thanks again Doug. By the way, nice boat. Do you do any cruising with it?

Post by **dougl33** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 11:30 am

Thanks. That's all I do. We just got back on Sunday. We went to Onset, Nantucket, Hyannis, and Mattapoisett. The FBC is a great boat for cruising.

Mike Q · Post by **Mike Q** » Thu Aug 20, 2009 1:08 pm

Very nice. Thanks again for your comments.

CB35 · Post by **CB35** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 4:23 am

I am not sure really how much "rolling at anchor" comes into play while a boat is at anchor. I fish the canyons. We anchor in 600 feet of water 100 miles off the beach. As long as the boat's bow is into the seas, rolling is not really an issue. If rolling at anchor is really a big issue get a pontoon boat. By the way friends did you quite a disservice telling you a 31B rocks at anchor. The 31B is quite stable with it's reversed chines. Now the 28B is the real roller; but not at anchor. We got caught offshore one night in 10-12 foot breaking seas. The little 28B rode straight into the headseas all night with very little side to side roll. All this theoretical BS about deepV's and how they ride is mind bending. Why don't you ask about "hull slap". That is the little surface ripples slapping the forward chines while at anchor. Sorry someone is trying pi$$ in my oatmeal this morning.

Post by **dougl33** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 6:09 am

quote:Originally posted by CB35 Sorry someone is trying pi$$ in my oatmeal this morning. Why should today be any different?[:D]

otf · Post by **otf** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 1:35 pm

Hull Slap, is that what it is. It took us a while to get used to the noise at anchor... Didn't take long to turn around (head aft) when sleeping. A mattress would be nice, but the noise is fine now.

lwrenn · Post by **lwrenn** » Fri Aug 21, 2009 4:23 pm

When we anchor the wind sets the direction and the boat rides with the bow into the seas and the winds, this is where the Bertram ex cells! The deep V slices the wave instead of a raise then the fall with a twist and slap as the flatter bottoms do. You can't change the up and down unless you get a much larger boat. I am selling a FBC shown below, two staterooms let me know if you have any interest! Captain Larry Wren 305-360-4900 www.apirateschoice.com [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... Choice.jpg[/img]

buzzk · Post by **buzzk** » Sun Aug 23, 2009 6:29 am

My father owned a Bertram 31 and I've owned a 25 Bertram and a 34 Hatteras. Currently I own a Bertram 33. At anchor I haven't noticed any roll on any of the boats. It's when I'm trolling sideways to the waves when I notice the roll. My 33 FBC doesn't roll any more than my Hatteras 34 to me. To me my friends 58 Hatteras really rolls without stablizers. I think a lot of how bad a boat rolls depends on the persons perception, what make of boat and which size and model of the boat and what the person uses the boat for. Buzz