New 1988 33 Bertram owner

dstallworth · Post by **dstallworth** » Thu Sep 24, 2009 2:25 pm

Hello everyone- I am buying a 1988 33' Bertram and am just before the surveys. ANyone have any suggestions to get the boat in top shape. I thas twin 3208T's with 2300 hours. DAvid

Post by **dougl33** » Thu Sep 24, 2009 3:36 pm

Welcome aboard David. For a second I thought maybe Donte Stallworth had signed up! Good luck with the survey. Make sure you get a seperate engine survey done by a certified Cat rep.

CB35 · Post by **CB35** » Thu Sep 24, 2009 3:45 pm

Wonder what ever happened to Buys?

buzzk · Post by **buzzk** » Thu Sep 24, 2009 4:25 pm

You're going to love your boat. Where did you buy the boat and where are you going to keep it? Buzz

Jose Jaen · Post by **Jose Jaen** » Thu Sep 24, 2009 8:26 pm

Welcome and congratulations on your choice. These are very reliable boats for whatever purpose you buy her. You have also entered a very useful and entertaining site that will allow you to enjoy the vessel even while not riding her. A long list of knowledgeable contributors have provided invaluable information on just about every pertinent topic. For starts you can hit the SEARCH feature and write Â¨CAT 3208TÂ¨. While surveying, move the furniture and check the bottom part of the bulkhead. The majority of us have had to repair of replace it. Good luck Jose Jaen "Blue Chip" 1993 33FBC Miami FL [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... p_Jaen.jpg[/img]

wagnerfah · Post by **wagnerfah** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 5:48 pm

Any suggestions for materials to repair/replace rear bulkhead? Frank

Jose Jaen · Post by **Jose Jaen** » Fri Sep 25, 2009 8:12 pm

In the last 10 years I have twice removed the lower 10 inches and replaced with marine plywood on the inside. However due to the present configuration that accommodates for the sliding door rail, it is close to impossible to keep the water out. The outside Formica is beyond repair. I am in the process of replacing the entire bulkhead with fiberglass including the window and installing a ginged door. The bottom end of the bulkhead merges with the deck which will end water filtration. IÂ´ll send pictures later. Jose Jaen "Blue Chip" 1993 33FBC Miami FL [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... p_Jaen.jpg[/img]

Post by **dougl33** » Sat Sep 26, 2009 7:39 am

Frank, The issue with the bulkhead is the intitial Bertram design. The bulkhead sits in a trough. On mine, there was a small (3 inch high) teak trim running alng the bottom of the bulkhead. Bertram does not do a very good job of bonding this teak to the formica. Water gets in between the teak and the formica and sits in the trough. The marine plywood then soaks up the water sitting in the trough. When I re-powered a few years ago, I removed the teak trim, cut out the bottom 6 inches of the bulkhead, and spliced in new marine plywood. On the out side, we used an 8 inch fiberglass sheet that covers up the seam. We used epoxy to bond the new fberglass trim to the bulkhead. I then washed the entire outside formica with simple green and scuffed it with a scotch brite pad. I then had the entire outside of the bulkhead painted. It looks fantastic and is better than when it came from the factory. On the inside I used a new teak trim that covers the seam on the inside (think of a really short chair rail). You'd never know the boat didn't come that way from the factory.

Symeon · Post by **Symeon** » Mon Oct 05, 2009 7:35 am

It would be great to see some pictures from your project, sounds great!

mikehedb · Post by **mikehedb** » Thu Oct 08, 2009 6:22 pm

I just did a repower on the stbd engine and replaced the entire aft bulkhead with marine plywood and the original pattern formica inside and out. It looks great... I sealed around the bottom with life caulk. We'll see how it holds up over time. It was a little difficult because the old wall ws not completely intact to use as a pattern. The previous owner had utilized a 12" tall piece of 1/2 plastic sign board inside and out which was through bolted to provide stuctural strength to the wall. It was not a bad repair, but it was easier to manage the engine replacement with the aft bulkhead removed. Mike H 1977 B33 FBC Sweet Melissa Naples, Florida

dealerschoice · Post by **dealerschoice** » Mon Oct 12, 2009 6:16 pm

Congratulations!!! You should be estatic about your new purchase. I've owned and fished on many different boats even though all that I owned were smaller I must say I truly love this boat. I fished yesterday about 65 miles off Edisto Beach chasing sailfish and dolphin in a beautiful ocean. I feel sure of the 8 to 10 boats we were around, there might have been 1 smaller boat out there. After lunch time the wind began to blow around 15 out of the NE and the ocean turned into a 3' to 4' washing machine. All of the 40 and 50 footers were talking about how snotty their ride home was going to be back to Charleston. I know my heading was a little more to the south, but we ran the 68 nm back to Edisto in 2hrs 50min. Not real fast, but just keeps on ticking. Congrats again on a great purchase. Scott 1987 B33 SF Dealer's Choice V Edisto Beach, SC

fishingman69 · Post by **fishingman69** » Mon Oct 26, 2009 1:37 pm

it is hard to beat the ride on the 33, sometimes you have to slow down just alittle to get a dry ride, on our boat if you can't run 22 knots without taking spray on the bridge turn around because it won't be fun