Searching for a 33 Bert Sportfish

wpdesmarais · Post by **wpdesmarais** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 7:08 am

Hello Folks, I'm looking @ a few different boats. One would be a late model (late 80's early 90's)33 Bert SF gas model running that could be brought to Mass. for diesel re-powering. I am the 15 year owner of a 28 Bert FBC recently re-powered with FWC 315 crusaders and a new aluminum fuel tank (ethanol issue). Great boat, clean etc. Our family always like the 33 SF, now with grandchildren etc.,looking for a boat a little bigger. I am also considering the "new" 1995-96 30 Bert Moppie, but you know, once you've had a "bridge boat you cannot go back downstairs to pilot". The newer 31 BF Combi's are nice but the BFs are not Bertrams. I also need to consider that the boat my need to go back and forth to Florida. There are many considerations. I have spent many many hours reading all pertinent points on this forum, marine diesels forum, BF forum etc. Costs of the 33 SF repowers, performance data etc. Do you folks have any suggestions on 33 SFs that are for sale that may fit what I'm looking for? Regards, Bill

Post by **dougl33** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 7:21 am

Bill, Welcome aboard. Where in Mass are you located? There are a number of Mass owners on this site. What is your price range? How much have you allotted for the re-power? It'll be cheaper if you buy a boat with diesels. There are a lot of good deals out there right now. Regards, Doug L. 1986 33 Bertram FBC Queen Elizabeth Marblehead, MA [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... sabeth.jpg[/img]

wpdesmarais · Post by **wpdesmarais** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 8:25 am

I'm up in Haverhill, boat out of Newburyport. I'm in the "due diligence stage" on cost. I've read posts on $$ that are "all over the board on re-powers". The re-man Cummins 330s-380s with gears seem reasonable. I know what the cost of engine bed mods, struts, shafts/logs re-props are etc., went through that when I re-powered my 28 a couple of years ago. There seems to be a nice clean (course have not seen in person) gas 88 down in NJ. asking 79K, way too high, right now there are "fire sales" in the used boat market. Do not want a Florida boat, I'm in Florida quite a bit over the fall/winter most gelcoats are "burned right up". Plus boats down there get "heavy use." Haven't seen many gas/diesel boats up for sale in this area. Regards, Bill Regards, Bill

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 8:37 am

Bill.. Welcome to playground.. as you have seen.. there are a lot of very knowledgeable guys (and a lady or two.. Hello Rissa!) here who are happy to offer assistance and answer your questions. To echo Doug's comments.. these days with the depressed economy and therefore depressed boat prices, you are looking at a good point in time. I agree with Doug.. unless you either want to have only new diesels, or you can get a gas powered boat at an extremely low price and then repower it, I would look at boats which already have diesels. Personally, I feel engine choice is a matter of how you plan to use your boat. You can buy a lot of gas for that kind of money! If you want to do a lot of traveling to fish offshore or go to Maine or Long Island every summer I would say you need diesels, but if you are going to spend most of your boating time within 50 or 75 miles of your home port I would look for a good deal on a gas boat. Repowering from gas to diesel costs between $55K and maybe as much as $80K.. balance that with the cost of the fuel you would use.. but then again there is the resale issue of trying to sell an older gas boat in the future. You mentioned you were looking at later model boats.. with grandkids (such as I have) the FBCs with the stbd bunk cabin are ideal. These were made from 1980 to 1992. As long as you find a FBC you like I would worry more about the condition of the specific boat, not the model year. Bertrams are built strong.. I don't think they were built any different as time went on. Frank B - IRGuy@aol.com "Phoenix" 1983 FBC Wilmington, NC

wpdesmarais · Post by **wpdesmarais** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 9:12 am

Frank thanks, you are right, all Berts are tanks, even the new ones now (according to Dave Pascoe) yes my 28 Bert is a 77 I bought 15 years ago, never fished, never used, a clean boat I updated. If I buy a late 80's clean boat I jump 10 model years on cosmetic use, finish etc. (course if the boat is not trashed) I've read A GREAT DEAL about gas boats. I am NOT convinced over the long haul the FGlass tanks are going to hold up with ethanol and I will not change out another fuel tank. I am also looking @ a few newer 95-96-97 30 Bertam Moppies with big block gas in the Ft.Lauderdale/Miami area, some fished, some lightly cruised . Florida has not needed to run ethanol blend yet, hence those gas boats (well all fiberglass fuel tank gas boats) have not had ethanol in the tanks. I spoke directly with Bertram Manuf in Miami last week, they stated that the resins were changed to be ethanol "resistant" after 1990 and the newer boats "should be ok", so my point is if I buy an older Bert with gas I will change to diesel and if I but the "new" Moppie it will not have gas engines. I'm not in any rush, I don't plan to sell the 28 as of now even if I get a different boat, just planning. Take a look @ the 88 Bert for sale (gas Yachtworld) in ??Brick NJ.??(asking $79K) and the guy who's trying to unload his 85 ## SF on this site and yachtworld. What do you think the market price would bring for either boat with 1. the used boat market now, and 2. the ethanol uncertainty? The gent on this sight started his 85 SF @ ??64K, now 1.5 years later he's down to 48K and I presume few bites. One last thing, I've been on a number of 33 FBCs and 33 SFs. With my boating stlye (son's actually) I've gotta have the cockpit space on the SF. Frank/Doug, stay in touch, I'll probably end up calling you 2 if OK at some point. Regards, Bill

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 1:51 pm

Bill... I am not sure from what you say whether you are looking for a Sportfish or a FlyBridge Cruiser. You mention grandchildren but want a large cockpit. The FBC has a smaller cockpit but the two bunk cabin, the Sportfish has a smaller main cabin, no bunk cabin, but a much larger cockpit. If you go to Brick, NJ you should look at the '85 Sportfish with gas engines.. the same boat is listed on Yachtworld for $109,900, $69,900 and $59,900. Take your pick! Frank B - IRGuy@aol.com "Phoenix" 1983 FBC Wilmington, NC

wpdesmarais · Post by **wpdesmarais** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 2:40 pm

Sorry Frank, yes I'm jumping around a bit. If history serves me, I'll have the next boat 10 years minimum, so looking @ all options. Hell, I'm even considering a 1995 30 Moppie Express with 315 or 33o Cummins. I would miss the bridge but the boat is a bit easier to take out either by yourself or with another person, no jumping up and down ladder for lines etc. while docking. I did send off an email to "Mike" down in the Keys, on this forum he stated he had an 87 33 FBC stored "under cover" asking $45K to start. Can't find the boat on yachtworld. I may give him a call. So yes, I've been looking @ 33 FBC, 33SF, newer 30 Moppies. Even considered a newer 1995-2000 36 Moppie but boy that boat is big + you can't even get near one for less than 160K-180K offer, a lot of $$dough$$ Frank, how is the engine access in the FBC??, plenty of room on both sides of engines?what do have to move or pull up to get @ the engines in the salon? I figure there's a center hatch inside the cabin door for oil check etc. Also, I've been on a couple of 33s for short rides. How is the side to side "wallowing" @ drift or on anchor?? How is the motion under way in "heavy seas? My 28 FBC is known for rolling side to side. I know the 33 is beamier, but there seems to be much more weight up top with the 33 FBC vs the SF. Your thoughts? Bill

IRGuy · Post by **IRGuy** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 8:32 pm

Bill... One question at a time... I did a search on Yachtworld for Bertram 33s in NJ. If you look carefully at all the listings you will find two supposedly located in Brick (one stated as an '88 for $59,900 and the other stated as an '87 for $69,900, sorry, I said these were '85s in my post above), and another that is supposed to be in Pt. Pleasant stated as an '87 for $$69,900. The pictures are all of the same boat. I have a '83 FBC which was repowered by the previous owner from Cat 3208 260 HPs to Cummins 6Bs 315 HPs. In the FBCs the engines are under the main cabin floor (the cabin floor is a little higher in the FBC than in the SF). While I can get outboard of these straight 6 cylinder engines and work on them (it is tight but possible) I can't believe there is enough space outboard on the V8 Cat 3208s (or a 454 gasser) to do much of anything. In the SFs the engines are located in boxes which extend aft of the cabin bulkhead, so working on a V8 engine is easier, so I am told. In the FBC we have two hatches in the cabin floor, one over each engine. In my boat each hatch cover is in two pieces. Remove both and the whole engine is exposed. There are also a couple of other hatch covers to allow access to the bilge fwd of the engines. As far as the rolling some people talk about (mostly non Bertram owners I suspect).. it is a matter of your personal perception. Certainly a flat bottomed boat (ie: an Egg Harbor) will roll less than a deep V Bertram, but the roll is quicker and more abrupt, hence more uncomfortable. The deep V Bertram roll may be more in the same sea conditions, but it a slower more gradual roll. The trade off is that a Bertram deep V hull will be much more comfortable and seakindly when it comes to beating into head seas or riding with following seas than the flatter bottomed boats. Also, the Bertram FBCs are taller than the SFs, so their center of gravity is somewhat higher, which some say results in slightly more roll in the FBCs. As I said above.. in boats and marriages.. everything is a compromise! Frank B - IRGuy@aol.com "Phoenix" 1983 FBC Wilmington, NC

wpdesmarais · Post by **wpdesmarais** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 4:18 am

Correct Frank, appreciated. Bill

bosdockpilot · Post by **bosdockpilot** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 5:03 am

I have a 33' (1980) w/Cats on market...781-248-2198 Steve

Post by **dougl33** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 7:22 am

Steve, This guy bought a 31 BF with Cummins and promptly had them overheat last Sept. He's in the beginning stages of re-powering with Cummins re-mans. He's been all over the boatdiesel site, but has not been here for some time.

lwrenn · Post by **lwrenn** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 2:28 pm

33 fbc set to fish or cruise. New genny 8kw kohler tuna tower and need to sell as got a new boat on the way. Awlgrip on everything above the water line and very meticulous about everything working . The 3208t have around 2400 hours and are babied. If you are interested let me know as I am no longer under contract with the broker and will take a realistic price. recent survey on both engines and boat. Captain Larry Wren 305-360-4900 www.apirateschoice.com [img]http://www.bertram33.com/photogallery/p ... Choice.jpg[/img]

Post by **dougl33** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 4:03 pm

He already bought a boat.