new owner

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 4:15 pm

Hello Everyone, I have just purchased a 1981 33fbc last month. I was very pleased to find this wonderful site of info. As everyone knows buying a 1981 yacht even if it is a Bertram has some issues.So far I can relate to several items in this forum. For example,my very first run out of the pass with my family the carbon monoxide detectors went crazy.After my wife freaked out I investigated the situation asap and traced it to the starboard side exhaust.The exahaust tube had come loose from the side wall where it exits and was funnelling all the exhaust back into the engine room then into the cabin.quite dangerous but was very easy to fix.and to come to find that many of the forum members had the same problem.I wish i would have found this site before i had this problem.Also I have been reading about the oil cooler problems that some owners have had. I think that i have that problem ,but i am not sure my slick is coming out the port engine and is getting worse. I have 454 mercruisers 330hp.my slick looks more like gas than oil.anyone that has had that problem i would appreciate any suggestions. Tim Stamm Photo Finish 1981 33' Bertram FBC

Post by **dougl33** » Mon Sep 27, 2004 5:01 pm

Tim, Congrats and welcome aboard. If I'm not mistaken, the 81's have the tournament helm and the side stateroom. Good choice. I think you'll get a lot of use out of the stateroom and I know you'll love the tournament style helm. When was the last time the engines were tuned? The gas coming through could be that you're not getting enough spark to burn all of the fuel. I had a similar problem when I got my 86 3 seasons ago. The wires were in tough shape and were arcing like crazy. Once I changed them the problem went away. I also changed the plugs, cap, and rotor's. Easy to do and fairly cheap. Where did you get the boat from? Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Tue Sep 28, 2004 8:05 am

Doug, I am not sure what the tournament helm consists of.However the bench passenger seat is located aft of the helm seats,which i have noticed is different to most that i have seen which are in front of the helm.The side stateroom is to starboard and consists of 2 bunks .I really like the design and layout of the boat.I am no engine mechanic ,however I can see I am going to learn fast.I do have a good mechanic helping me.His first guess was just that , so we changed the plugs and wires but that did not solve the problem.his next choice is to try changing out the oil coolers which was also suggested on this forum....I hope this works.and is worth the money spent.I think I will change the water pump while i am in there too....Any other suggestions if it is not the plugs or oil coolers?....Doug, the boat came from north carolina. thanks .... Tim Stamm Photo Finish 1981 33' Bertram FBC

photo finish · Post by **photo finish** » Tue Oct 19, 2004 3:15 pm

ok, i changed the oil cooler and presto no more oil slick... Tim Stamm Photo Finish 1981 33' Bertram FBC